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10 New Things at the 2021 Indiana State Fair @indystatefair
By Sharon Smith
Indiana State Fair
10 NEW Things Added to Your 2021 Indiana State Fair
July 22, 2021, INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Indiana State Fair, July 30-August 22 (CLOSED Mondays and Tuesdays), is full of traditions and memories for Hoosiers, but equally important, are the exciting, NEW experiences to enjoy. Sign up for a yoga session with goats and pigs, be amazed as Mighty Mike bends horseshoes, or sit back and relax at the new Backyard Outdoor Bar. The 2021 Indiana State Fair is back in an even bigger way and has something for everyone! These are just some of the interactive new experiences that will be at your 2021 State Fair:
- Budweiser Clydesdales
Known for their extreme strength and striking appearance, the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales are some of the most recognizable animals in the country and now you can see them while visiting your 2021 Indiana State Fair from July 30 through August 8! Visit these majestic horses located just inside Gate 12 north of the Farm Bureau Building or catch them in the Daily Parade. - Forever Forest
Explore how our lives are connected to forests in the all-new Forever Forest exhibit. Presented by Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, Forever Forest is an interactive exhibit where children can play and learn about sustainability, selective harvesting, transportation needs, and the every-day products we use that are made from trees. This exciting new exhibit is located at the Farm Bureau Building and is open daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. - Double Decker Carousel
The 2021 Indiana State Fair will feature a brand new ride: it’s the Double Decker Carousel! Located just west of the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand, the Double Decker Carousel features two levels of beautifully handcrafted figures, completed with tigers, zebras, and giraffes. Don’t miss a ride on this timeless classic, now twice as nice! - The Mighty Mike Show
Step right up! The Mighty Mike Show is coming to the 2021 Indiana State Fair. Witness Mighty Mike juggle bowling balls and sledgehammers as if light as a feather while dressed in a 1920s- style bathing suit. Prepare to be amazed as he bends horseshoes and tears decks of cards but try not to laugh at his goofy dance routines. Shows will take place daily in Hoosier Spirit Park at 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:00, and 6:30 PM.
- Bubble Tower
Come visit the Family Fun Park to witness the world’s BIGGEST bubble toy in action! This machine is a solar-powered attraction sure to delight fairgoers all day, every day. Stop by for some bubble popping fun and to soak in the beauty of shiny bubbles floating through the hot summer air. Just follow the bubbles! - Backyard Brats & Brews
Looking for a shady spot to sit back and relax during your visit to the 2021 Indiana State Fair? Located in Hoosier Spirit Park, Backyard Brats and Brews is the perfect place to grab a cold beverage, grilled brats, and other snacks while enjoying live music and yard games. With its unique “backyard barbeque” atmosphere, this family-friendly area is great for all ages. Stop by Backyard Brats & Brews open from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM daily during the Fair. - The Great American Duck Race
One water track, four racing lanes, unlimited smiles! Whether you’re chosen to participate or not, everyone’s a winner at the Great American Duck Race. Learn about Mallard ducks and watch them splash to the finish line while you cheer on your favorite. Located in the Family Fun Park, this unique and educational show takes place at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM, and 6:00 PM daily beginning August 4. - Street Drum Corps
Street Drum Corps is a world-renowned, high energy, drum and percussion show, as seen on America’s Got Talent, American Idol, Master Chef, Glee, MTV, and numerous professional sporting events. The group has a punk-rock sound and uses unique instruments, such as garbage cans, rain barrels, kitchenware, recycled products, and even power tools. Catch their daily performances at the Fair, starting at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:30 PM. Shows will take place at the Family Fun Park July 30-August 1 (Opening Weekend) and will take place at the Gate 12 Kids’ Zone for the remainder of the Fair (August 4-22). - The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show
Filled with action-packed competition and lots of laughs, it’s the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show! The show features quality lumberjack competitors known throughout the world for their strength, skill, and athletic ability. Stop by the WGU Indiana Parklet to see them compete in events like log rolling and axe throwing. Shows start at 12:30, 2:00, 3:30, 5:30, and 7:00 PM daily.
10. Animal Yoga
The Indiana State Fair is excited to offer animal yoga this year, featuring some of your favorite animals including goats, pigs, bunnies, and lambs! These cute animals will climb, cuddle, and entertain as you partake in a 45-minute beginner-level yoga session. Yoga sessions will take place July 31 at 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM, August 1 at 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, August 12 at 6:00 PM, August 18 at 6:00 PM, and August 19 at 6:00 PM. Each session costs $35 per ticket and includes admission to the Fair. Space is limited, so make sure to register today at IndianaStateFair.com and secure your spot
ABOUT THE INDIANA STATE FAIR
The Indiana State Fair is the state’s largest multi-day event celebrating Hoosiers’ spirit and agricultural heritage. These 18 days celebrate Indiana agriculture and promote it to hundreds of thousands of people across Indiana, and beyond. Nationally recognized for offering great entertainment, showcasing 4-H youth, interactive agriculture education programs, premier facilities and a variety of unique, fun foods, the Indiana State Fair has been an annual attraction for generations of Hoosiers since 1852. The 2021 Indiana State Fair will be held July 30-August 22 (CLOSED Mondays and Tuesdays). The theme for this year’s fair is Celebrating the Hoosier Spirit.
One of the best ways to save money at the fair is to order tickets in advance. Tickets purchased online before 11:59 PM on July 29 are only $10 plus convenience fee, while general admission tickets purchased at the gate during the Fair are $13. Value packs of tickets, including the Family 4-Pack and Super Family 4-Pack, are available online only through July 29 at 11:59 PM. The Family 4-Pack includes 4 tickets and a parking pass for just $40 and the Super Family 4-Pack includes 4 tickets, a parking pass, and 50 Fair Bucks for $90. And don’t forget that children 5 and under get in FREE! Purchase tickets at IndianaStateFair.com today.
For more information, visit www.indianastatefair.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Indiana Pork BBQ Split at the State Fair @indystatefair @IndianaPork @INporkproducers
The Indiana Pork BBQ Split is coming to the Indiana State Fair, Aug. 2-18, 2019.
Photo provided by the Indiana Pork Producers Association and used with written permission.
By Jeanette Merritt
Indiana Pork Producers Association
Indiana Pork will showcase a new food item for the 2019 Indiana State Fair “Taste of the Fair” contest.
The Indiana Pork BBQ Split features three delicious items; a scoop of pulled pork, macaroni and cheese and coleslaw. The BBQ Split resembles a banana split and will be served with a pickle on the side.
162nd Indiana State Fair, Aug. 3-19, 2018 @indystatefair #indystatefair
Image provided by the Indiana State Fair and used with written permission.
By Bob Burchfield, Editor
AroundIndy.com, LLC
With no disrespect to any other Indiana organization or event, the Indiana State Fair is simply my most favorite event of the year — and has been for more than six decades!
I started attending the Indiana State Fair in 1952. Yes. 1952! I was still in diapers. But my mother was a quilter and loved to visit the quilt display in the Indiana Arts Building. So away we went to the State Fair each summer.
An impressive quilt at the 2015 Indiana State Fair.
My most vivid memory of the State Fair is the band contest. My brother played trombone in the Anderson High School marching band that won three consecutive state championships in 1957, 1958, and 1959 — and finished 2nd in 1960! I’ll never forget the announcement of 2nd place in 1960: “And 2nd place goes to — (dramatic pause) — A – N – D” and the crowd went wild. Ben Davis won that year.
And so I’ve attended the State Fair almost every year since then, except when I was serving in the military after college and was stationed out of state.
This year is no exception. 66 years after my first State Fair, you know I’ll be there as “Step Right Up! The Greatest 17 Days of Summer” features a circus theme, August 3-19, 2018.
That’s right! New to the 2018 Indiana State Fair is a single-ring, world-class circus. Located on the north side of the fairgrounds, there will be three shows per day (included with fair admission) showcasing a variety of world-famous performers, including Bello Nock, the International Circus Superstar. The Big Top Circus is presented by Bee Window.
The Big Top Circus. Photo provided by the Indiana State Fair and used with written permission.
There are a few activities at the State Fair that I simply must observe each year out of family tradition:
- The first thing I always do is get on the Shuttle Train and take a ride all the way around the fairgrounds. It’s the best way to get a quick overview of what’s going on and where everything is located, at least IMO.
- A stop at the Dairy Barn for a State Fair Milk Shake is mandatory for me. I prefer vanilla, but there’s strawberry and chocolate, too.
- I still like to stop at the Victorian-era Hook’s Drug Store Museum and take a step back in time at the historic soda fountain and pharmacy.
- Even though my cardiologist would not approve, a State Fair tenderloin is a must. Nobody makes ‘em like the ones at the State Fair!
- And I always pay homage to my mother, who died in 2011, by visiting the quilt display as previously mentioned. A sentimental and nostalgic tradition.
In the past five years, I’ve even conquered my fear of heights (at least somewhat!) by finally mustering the courage to ride the giant ferris wheel, and last year by riding the Subaru Skyride (which was new in 2017). The Midway is so colorful and full of visual appeal, especially after dark!
The Midway at the 2015 Indiana State Fair.
Subaru Skyride. Photo provided by the Indiana State Fair and used with written permission.
I like to go through the DNR Building and view the fish aquariums. I like to go through the Agriculture-Horticulture Building and see the exhibits. I like to go through Pioneer Village and see all the vintage and antique farm equipment. I like to walk through the animal barns—it’s always interesting to look for the world’s largest hog in the Swine Barn. I like to hang around for the daily parade each evening at 6:30 pm.
And curiously, I like to walk through the underground tunnel from the infield to State Fair Main Street, because that’s my earliest memory and recollection of the fair.
But that shouldn’t dictate YOUR itinerary! There is so much to see and do at the State Fair that you simply can’t take it in all in one day. So I try to get out to the fair at least 3-4 times each year.
The Chevrolet Free Stage has some great entertainment this year, including Rick Springfield, Natalie Stovall, Anthony Hamilton, Tyler Childers, Randy Houser, Kool and the Gang, Hanson, the Happy Together Tour, Grand Funk Railroad, Hunter Hayes, the Gospel Music Festival with Kirk Franklin, and more. See the entire Free Stage schedule on our Web site at https://aroundindy.com/fairgrounds.php.
The giant hot air balloon race kicks off the fair on Friday, August 3, at sunrise (weather permitting), with the Illuminated Tractor Parade and Balloon Night at 9 PM that night. And the aforementioned State Fair Band Day is Saturday, August 4.
This year’s State Fair Queen is Audrey Campbell from Fountain County. Congratulations, Audrey!
2018 State Fair Queen Audrey Campbell. Photo provided by the Indiana State Fair and used with written permission.
The gates open daily at 8 am and are open until 9 pm Sunday-Thursday and 9:30 pm on Friday and Saturday. Exhibit and building hours are 9 am to 9 pm.
Onsite parking is $5 until the fairgrounds parking is full. Or you can park at Glendale Mall’s Rural Street lot and ride the Indiana State Fair shuttle for free. There are also $5 lots located south of 38th Street across from the Main Gate and at the Indiana School for the Deaf on 42nd Street. And you can save $1 off fair admission when you bike to the State Fair and use one of the secured bike racks available on the Monon Trail at 38th Street.
General admission is $13 (under 6 free). You can get advance tickets for $8 before August 3. The Chevrolet Free Stage concerts are included with admission. Discount tickets can be purchased online at https://indianastatefair.com and at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center Box Office, located inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum, now through August 2.
By the way, there are several free admission specials:
- Monday, August 6: Current and former military, and their families, receive free admission with ID presented at the gate.
- Monday, August 13: Statewide Firefighters, Police Officers and EMT personnel and their families receive free admission when ID or badge is presented at the gate.
- Wednesday, August 8 and 15: Free admission with IndyStar ticket.
- Thursday, August 16: AAA cardholders receive free admission with valid AAA membership card presented at the gate.
And there are discounted admission offers on other days throughout the fair.
It’s almost impossible to write a blog post of any length and cover everything at the fair. So visit the State Fair Web site at https://www.indianastatefair.com/state-fair/ for complete information, or call 317-927-7500.
I hope to see you at the fair this year! And I hope this is the year we crack one million in attendance.
A view of the State Fairgrounds from the top of the giant ferris wheel. See, I finally did it! [grin]
DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The Indiana State Fair provided AroundIndy.com, LLC with complimentary tickets to the 2012 Indiana State Fair; 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 annual media passes; and media passes to the 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Indiana State Fair.
Potatchoes at the Indiana State Fair, Aug. 3-19, 2018 @indystatefair @indianapork
Potatchoes at the Indiana State Fair. Photo provided by the Indiana Pork Producers Association and used with written permission.
Tate Fritchley Chosen as Indiana State Fair Queen
Tate Fritchley, 2016 Indiana State Fair Queen.
Photo provided by the Indiana State Fair and used with written permission.
By Lesley Gordon
Indiana State Fair
Over the past weekend, Miss Vanderburgh County, Tate Fritchley, was crowned the 58th Indiana State Fair Queen. Miss Indiana State Fair 2016 was selected over 86 other contestants after three days of judging.
The Indiana State Fair Queen plays a key role in promoting the Indiana State Fair by traveling nearly 6,500 miles during June and July to approximately 45 counties in preparation for the Indiana State Fair Celebrating Indiana’s Bicentennial, August 5-21, 2016.
The 10 finalists include:
| 1st Runner Up | Miss Whitley County, Alivia Roberts |
| 2nd Runner Up | Miss Boone County, Shelby Lamb |
| 3rd Runner Up | Miss Putnam County, Kristen Stevens |
| 4th Runner Up | Miss Madison County, Courtney Hinton |
| Miss Fountain County, Tilly Marlatt | |
| Miss Steuben County, Daisy Dallas | |
| Miss Adams County, Jessica Ripley | |
| Miss Johnson County, Samantha Morris | |
| Miss Allen County, Erica Hoot | |
| Miss Congeniality | Miss Wells County, Emily Bertsch |
Miss Indiana State Fair, Tate Fritchley, is currently a senior at Evansville North High School and a proud 10 year 4-H member of the Horse and Pony Club. Fritchley plans to study Physical Therapy at the University of Evansville this fall. Fritchley is the second representative of Vanderburgh County to be selected Indiana State Fair Queen, preceded by Karen Koester in 1974.
This year’s judges included Adam Kallick, of Centaur Gaming, Kimberly Swabsin, Indiana State Fair Queen 1988, and Beth Vaughn, RTV6 Good Morning Indiana.
Also, the 2016 State Fair theme, “Celebrating Indiana’s Bicentennial,” was announced at the Indiana Association of Fairs (INAF) Convention. As the State of Indiana prepares to celebrate 200 years of Hoosier heritage the 2016 Indiana State Fair will also join in the festivities. Fairgoers can look forward to several exhibits and special features that highlight our state’s history, art and tradition.
To learn more about the 58th Indiana State Fair Queen visit the website, indianastatefair.com.
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