DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Gearing up for this year's 2025 Farm Progress Show? WAND News has compiled a list of dates, times, attractions and everything you need to know before heading to Progress City! 

Farm Progress Past Shows

+15 
+15 
skyview tractor 8.PNG
+15 
+15 
Farm Progress Show 2023 Panorama
+15 
+15 
Skyview tractor 9.PNG
+15 
+15 
Skyview tractor 10.PNG
+15 
+15 
Skyview tractor 11.PNG

The Farm Progress Show is the nation’s largest outdoor farm event, which annually hosts over 600 exhibitors from around the world. 

 

Farm Progress Show Hours

 

The Farm Progress Show will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 26-28. This year, the Farm Progress Show returns to Illinois, celebrating two decades in Decatur and its first event at the semi-permanent sites.

 

Progress City is located at E Sixth Progress St, Decatur, IL 62521.

 

 

Admission

  • Admission prices: $25 for adults, $10 for ages 13-17, free for ages 12 and under.
  • Advance tickets available for $15 (plus fees) online.
  • Group tickets (20 or more) can be purchased at the same link.
  • Student tickets are not available online. 

 

Parking and Security

Parking is adjacent to the show site and color-coded (west lot is green, south lot is blue). 

Handicapped Parking: Located in the front rows of each parking lot, with volunteers directing vehicles displaying credentials. 

Uniformed security personnel are present for visitor and exhibitor safety, enforcing laws and protecting exhibits.

 

Demo Fields

 

Starting at 11 a.m., the harvest and tillage equipment will run in this order, and then tillage equipment starts at 2 p.m.:

  • Corn Combines 
  • Combine Heads
  • Auger Carts
  • Tillage, up to 6 mph 
  • Tillage, up to 15 mph

Trams operate daily from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., transporting visitors to the machines’ staging area. To access the tram loading area, exit through Gate 3, cross Mound Road, and board one of the trams, which include two 25-person and two 50-person carriers. Bathrooms are available near the loading area.

 

Drone Demos 

 

The FPS Drone Zone features demonstrations of the latest drone application technology, including both dry and liquid applicator drones. Jungmann collaborated with the Federal Aviation Administration and Agri Spray to create an educational demonstration. The demos will take place outside Gate 4 on the northeast corner of the show site.

 

Features and Amenities 

 

Wi-Fi

John Deere is providing free Wi-Fi coverage across a 90-acre site, eliminating cellphone dead zones. Information on how to log in and connect will be available on signs throughout the area.

Indiana and Illinois FFA teams will compete against FFA members from their own state, with a total of $1,000 in prizes provided by the Farm Credit associations. The prize distribution is as follows: $250 for first place, $150 for second place, and $100 for third place, awarded to both the winners and their schools.

Golf Carts 

Only golf carts and motorized scooters are allowed on the exhibit field at the 2025 show; other vehicles are prohibited. Golf carts and mobility scooters can be rented daily on a first-come, first-served basis from Battery Specialists.

Rentals are located at Gate 1, and it's advisable to reserve in advance, as golf carts often sell out.

Visitors can bring personal golf carts for $80 (permit required), but no advance sales; permits are free for attendees with valid handicap credentials.

Golf cart speed must be under 5 mph, and they cannot enter exhibit spaces. Operators must be at least 25 years old, and carts should not exceed their seating capacity.

Safety and Information

Show Office is located near the loading dock at the northeast corner of the exhibit field.

First Aid Station are located at Lot 1E in the northeast corner of the grounds.

Restrooms are located at four permanent restrooms stations next to food courts in each quadrant; located at the base of all big light towers.

Lost Children/Items can be found at the first-aid station, information booth, or show office for lost children; lost items are taken to the show office or Hospitality Building.

Information Booths are located at the entrances to the Progress City exhibit field and at Central Avenue and Sixth Street, providing additional information and updates.

Jumbotrons are located at the main west entrance and 12th Street/Central Avenue for updated schedules and information.

CAMPING 

RV and camper parking is available for free at the Farm Progress Show, starting at noon on Aug. 25. Parking is first-come, first-served with no facilities or hookups provided.

Additional camping options are available at nearby campgrounds. 

WAND NEWS COVERAGE 

WAND News will provide LIVE coverage during the Farm Progress Show. Catch the WAND News pre-show special on Monday at 4:30 p.m. on WAND News and streaming on the WAND Now app. LIVE coverage continues Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during Wake Up from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. plus live reports all day. 

Copyright 2025. WANDTV. All Rights Reserved.