I get so antsy once it gets close to the debut of the Indiana State Fair. It is certainly one of the highlights of my summer.
The food, visiting the horses and checking out the exhibits are my main attractions. I can’t wait to indulge in their famous corn dogs or munch on delectable funnel cakes. Yum! I can already taste them.
Once again, you can expect the Indiana State Fair to go above and beyond to meet the needs of Hoosiers and visitors around the globe. This year new foods such as fried bubblegum and M&Ms will rattle your tummy along with the tasty peanut butter, banana and bacon burger. Plus there are 15 new attractions for you to explore.
“We look for things that will appeal to families. We find ways to keep the fair fresh and new every year,” said Andy Klotz, public relations director of the Indiana State Fair. “Our research proves people return to the fair for the food, animals and exhibits. The high quality events, programming and partnerships all go hand in hand to create this first class event.”
The 2012 Indiana State Fair will be “Celebrating the Hoosier Spirit” throughout its 17-day run, highlighting our state’s fortitude and perseverance.
Here is the list of new events that will be taking place at the Indiana State Fair this year.
n “Year of Dairy Cows!” presented by American Dairy Association of Indiana – Indiana’s dairy farmers are always well-represented at the fair, particularly at the popular Dairy Bar located on Main Street. This year, the fair will celebrate this great Indiana commodity even more through fun competitions and interesting interactive exhibits.
n The DuPont Food Pavilion – Formerly known as the Pioneer Our Land Pavilion, this large exhibit building at the end of Main Street is packed with native Indiana foods, cooking demonstrations and a marketplace for folks who want to take their favorite Indiana foods home. Fairgoers can learn how to make healthy food choices and find out how to help feed the hungry. Indiana commodity groups and food manufacturers will offer samples throughout the entire run of the fair.
n Ciao Italia – In partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corp., the Indiana State Fair presents “Ciao Italia” in the International Pavilion (Grand Hall). This 17-day exhibit features food, facts and fun aspects of Italy and its longstanding connections with Indiana. A special focus is on Clinton, Ind., with its tremendous Italian population and its popular Little Italy Festival that draws tens of thousands of people each year.
n Free Stage – The good times and festive atmosphere will be non-stop at the Free Stage this year as programming extends from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. Known for its consistent line-up of rising country stars, the stage includes more family entertainment and specialty programs than ever before, including Allstar Weekend (Aug. 4), REO Speedwagon (Aug. 6), MC Hammer (Aug. 13) and many more.
n Bankers Life Fieldhouse Free Shuttle – Concert ticket holders can attend the fair on any of its 17 days, not just the day of the concert. For those who do attend both on the same day, however, a free shuttle service from the fairgrounds to the fieldhouse can be boarded near the Fairgrounds east gate on Fall Creek Parkway.
n The Lucas Oil Indy Mile AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Motorcycle Race – Motorcycle racing returns to the Indiana State Fair for the first time since 1998 when the Indy Mile hits the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand Aug. 18. Long considered the “crown jewel” of this tradition-rich racing series, the Indy Mile features exciting side-by-side racing. Qualifying begins at 3 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30 p.m.
n SuperDogs – Unbelievable tricks, uncontrollable energy, aerial stunts and infectious laughter are all part of this fabulous family show in the Dow AgroSciences Celebration Park. More than a dozen highly trained canines run, jump and retrieve in a huge 100’ x 25’ arena during four daily shows throughout the fair.
n MHS presents Flippenout Extreme Trampoline Show – The athletes in this show reach heights as high as 25 feet as they flip and twist and even jump with snowboards strapped to their feet! This high-energy, synchronized show features highly skilled athletes during three daily performances in the Family Fun Park.
n Bixby’s Rainforest Rescue – starring Iago presented by WIC and the Indiana State Breastfeeding Coalition –The show educates families on the value of conservation while entertaining them with magic, comedy, animal antics and audience participation. The show runs at least three times each day in the Family Fun Park and the exhibit with 10 live exotic animals are open for viewing each day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
n Cowtown USA – This exhibit gives visitors to the Family Fun Park the chance to hand-milk a real cow and participate in the pasteurization process. Participants can take part in creating cheese, butter and ice cream. Even better, they get to sample these “homemade” delights when they’re done!
n Xtreme Action Sports Show presented by VOICE – The thrill-packed world of BMX, Skateboarding and Freestyle Motocross will be in the spotlight when stars of all these sports perform in the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand Aug. 10. Fans can see X-Games Gold medalists riding, jumping and flying through the air in choreographed routines complete with high-energy music and unbelievable stunts during two free shows.
n Multi-Day Admission Ticket – For the first time, the Indiana State Fair is offering a multi-day admission ticket that will allow people to visit the fair on multiple days for one low price. The ticket costs $18 and is good one admission on three different days – that’s a $12 savings on the gate admission price. These tickets can be purchased at all State Fair ticket outlets, including Indiana Walmart stores, Indiana CVS/pharmacy stores, Indiana Farm Bureau offices, The Marten House Hotel and the Indiana State Fairgrounds Ticket Office.
n Vertigo Midway Ride – This 24-passenger thrill ride rises nearly 100 feet above the ground before swinging riders out over the rest of the Midway below.
n “Celebrating the Hoosier Spirit” Sculpture – Herron School of Art and Design artist Jamie Dickerson has created a sculpture consisting of three wooden pieces that are each 5 feet wide at the base and reach as high as 12 feet in the air. The sculpture imitates the texture and coloring of Indiana cornhusks that appear to grow and twist toward the sky representing the strength of the Hoosier Spirit through the resiliency of one of Indiana’s vital resources: corn. The sculpture is located in the Dow AgroSciences Celebration Park.
n Harold Lee Miller Photography exhibit – Dozens of Harold Lee Miller photographs focusing on “life at the fair” will be on display in the Normandy Barn from 1 to 9 p.m. daily throughout the fair’s 17-day run. The photos are part of a collection Miller began in 2005 and highlight everything from livestock shows to fair food.
General Fair Hours:
Gates open daily at 8 a.m.; 6 a.m. on Aug. 11.
Admission tickets will no longer be sold/accepted after 9 p.m. Sunday – Thursday and 9:30 p.m. Friday – Saturday.
Building/Exhibit Hours are generally 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the fair. The Exposition Hall is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Admission Prices:
General Admission is $10
Children 5 and younger free
3-Day wristband (good any three days of fair) $18
Advance discount tickets are $7
Available at: Indiana Walmart stores, CVS/pharmacy stores, Indiana Farm Bureau Offices, The Marten House Hotel, Indiana State Fairgrounds Ticket Office and Online at indianastatefair.com until Aug. 3.
Special Pricings and Discounts
Multi-day admission pass:
The pass is good for one admission for up to three different days throughout the fair’s run, Aug. 3 – 19. The pass costs $18 (a $12 savings) and is available at all Indiana Walmarts.
Free admission tickets in The Indianapolis Star:
Monday, Aug. 6, The Indianapolis Star will print a ticket good for free admission to the fair on the following Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 8 and 9.
Turkey Hill Dairy $2 Tuesdays:
On Tuesday Aug. 7 and 14, visitors are admitted for just $2 with a voucher printed from turkeyhill.com/indianastatefair compliments of Turkey Hill Dairy.
$2 Taste of the State Fair Tuesday:
Also on Aug. 7 and 14, concessionaires all over the fairgrounds will have $2 samples available all day. Midway rides will also be $2 per ride all day long!
Free admission for state employees:
All state employees are admitted to the fair for free on Aug. 9, with the presentation of an employee ID card.
IPL CARLOAD Day:
Large families and groups of friends traveling to the fair together will want to take advantage of this great offer on Aug. 13. Admission is $15 per vehicle for up to 10 people with voucher printed from iplpower.com.
Tractor shuttle ride discounts for seniors:
All seniors, age 55 and older, can ride the tractor shuttles around the Fairgrounds for $3 per day when they purchase a special wristband at the State Fair Information Booths located in Pioneer Village and on State Fair Blvd. On Golden Hoosiers’ Day, Aug. 14, seniors can ride the tractor shuttles for free!
BMV Day
Fairgoers can save $4 off the $10 gate admission on Aug. 15 by redeeming the voucher available on-line at mybmv.com.
AAA Day
Hoosier AAA members receive free admission on Aug. 16 when they show their membership card at the gate. One valid AAA card per person.
Free admission for military personnel:
The State Fair is honoring our current and former members of the Armed Forces by offering free admission for them and family members on Aug. 16, with presentation of a military ID.
$2 Discount with Pepsi product can:
All visitors who bring any Pepsi brand can on the fair’s final day, Aug. 19, will receive $2 off the gate admission.
