Indiana Travel Guide

Indiana State Fair

Celebrate Summer At The Indiana State Fair

 

The Indiana State Fair that welcomes over 900,000 people annually. Each year at the Fair there's a new theme, and this year is all about Soy Beans. Throughout the Fair, you'll discover thousands of uses for soybeans, which including feeding animals to creating candles, paint and biodiesel.

Among the highlights in this Year of the Soy Bean are the Incredible Soybean Exhibit in Pioneer Hi-Bred Our Land Pavilion, and in the Pioneer Village you'll discover the Heritage Soybean. Over in the Ellison Bakery Home & Family Arts Building you'll find a Soybean Mural. While enjoy the rides in the Midway, you can also catch the Tractor Shuttles, which use clean, burning Biodiesel fuel made from Soy Beans. And, the Indiana Corn and Soybean Farmers will host a Indiana Soybean and Cornhole Toss Tourney during the Fair.

You'll find many new rides to enjoy, and the ride wristbands prices have been reduced. This year, the midway is bigger than ever and new areas created to bring a ‘park like’ feel to the 330,000 ft. amusement area as well. Along with fun rides, there will also be plenty of entertainment and activities to join during the Indiana State Fair, including the Fido 500 and Wiener 100 Mini-Dog Races, which the whole family will love.

One of the special performances that will amaze you is the Peking Acrobats, who include country’s finest gymnasts, jugglers, cyclists and tumblers from the People’s Republic of China. During the Fair the Peking Acrobats will hold three daily performances in the Dow AgroSciences Celebration Park

For those who enjoy arts, be sure to check out sculptor Seward Johnson's 20-foot tall sculpture of a towering couple who appear to be kicking up their heels at a playful country barn dance, which can also be found in the Dow AgroSciences Celebration Park. There will be plenty of other artist's and crafts men and woman showcasing their works during the Fair, so you'll find lots of inspiration for your next project.

Have you ever heard of Futsal? It's a  mini version of soccer that is played with less players on a smaller field, and they use a heavier ball than normal. During the State Fair, Indiana Soccer will host youth and adult Futsal tournaments in the Dow AgroSciences Celebration Park. If you're interested you can visit www.soccerindiana.org or call (317) 829-0560 to register for the event.

Nearby, in the Riley Fun & Fitness Park families can enjoy activities, and catch the world-class lumberjacks, who will be competing in a number of events three times each day. Did you know Peru, Indiana is home to the International Circus Hall of Fame? It's true, and there will be three shows daily in the Riley Fun & Fitness Park as well.

There have been many nationally-known entertainers perform at Indiana State Fair. Some of these include: Captain Kangaroo, Johnny Cash, the Jackson 5, the Beatles, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, Def Leppard, Rascal Flatts and Kanye West. 1964 was the year the Beatles performed two sold out shows to nearly 30,000 screaming fans in September 3. Upcoming entertainers include the band KISS, Disney sensation Selena Gomez, Keith Urban, Sugarland, Jeff Dunham, and hip-hop artist, Drake.

Music fans will find a assortment of entertainment to enjoy at the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand this year, including Mercyme and Third Day, Big Time Rush with Days Difference, Sugarland with Sara Bareilles, Janet Jackson, Train and Maroon 5 with Gavin Degraw, and Lady Antebellum.

Along with these performances, there will be Band and Cheerleading competitions, the E3 SparkPlugs Monster Truck Nationals, Lucas Oil Indy Super Pull, the Hoosier Rodeo Series Finals 11, and the Lucas Oil Indy Demo Derby, so there's more than enough thrills and fun for everyone to enjoy at this year's Indiana State Fair!

Have a great time at the Fair!

By Melody Schubert

Return to top of page to view more topics.

Plan Your Trip

Learn more about The Indiana State Fair

 

To learn more about upcoming events, performances, and programs call the Indiana State Fairgrounds Box Office at (317) 927-7601 or visit www.indianastatefair.com.

Getting around town to visit attractions and restaurants, as well as  the Indiana State Fair and events is easy with help from the Indianapolis Convention and Visitor's Bureau at at www.visitindy.com.

Also visit Indianapolis Downtown Inc. at www.indydt.com for more events and news for your trip.

Social Networks - 

• FaceBook -  Indiana State Fair - http://www.in.gov/statefair/fair/StateFair_Facebook.html
• Indianapolis Convention and Visitor's Bureau - http://visitindy.com/#connect_facebook
• Twitter  - Indiana State Fair - http://www.in.gov/statefair/fair/StateFair_Twitter.html
• Indianapolis Convention and Visitor's Bureau - http://visitindy.com/#connect_twitter
• Indianapolis Downtown Inc - http://www.twitter.com/IndyDT
• YouTube - Indiana State Fair - http://www.in.gov/statefair/fair/StateFair_YouTube.html

Return to top of page to view more topics

About The Author

Learn more about Melody Schubert

 

Let Your Imagination Be Your Compass - Passionate about traveling, when it comes to a road trip, Editorial Executive and Photographer, Melody Schubert believes that maps are good for finding your way back to the highway after you've wandered off the beaten track. Otherwise, she prefers to let her imagination be her compass, and explore intriguing and overlooked destinations that express the heart of a region with her husband, Leroy, and their three sons.

Follow this link to view current features by this author ---> 

Return to top of page to view more topics.