Annual Farm Progress Show is Underway in Decatur

The annual Farm Progress Show is opening in Decatur and organizers say they expect a record number of international attendees.

The three-day event is billed as the nation's largest outdoor farm show, and draws thousands of people to Illinois.

This year, there will be more than 600 exhibitors.

Teri Hammel is executive director of the Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

She tells The (Decatur) Herald & Review that she's anticipating visitors from at least 40 countries.

She's lining up interpreters and says that for the first time, there's an international host hotel specifically for foreign guests.

The Farm Progress show starts at 8 a.m. Tuesday and runs through Thursday afternoon.