SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (AP) -- Illinoisans braved hot and humid August weather to attend the Illinois State Fair, where attendance was an estimated 5 percent higher than last year.

Fair Manager Amy Bliefnick (BLEEF'-nik) says about 701,000 people attended the fair, including on preview night, through the end of Saturday.

In 2009, attendance was 665,500.

Bliefnick says one of the big draws at the fair was the Stanley Cup, which was on display for five hours and drew an estimated 5,000 viewers.

The strong fair turnout came despite some weather-related problems.

The sold-out Lady Antebellum concert was called off Aug. 13 because of heavy rain and lightning. And the Blondie and Cheap Trick concert was canceled Friday less than an hour into Blondie's set because of the same weather issues.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register,

http://www.sj-r.com

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)