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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.
4. Even though my cardiologist would not approve, a State Fair tenderloin is a must. Nobody makes ‘em like the ones at the State Fair!

5. 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.

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FAIRS Care Drive-Thru Food Drive at the @indystatefair, March 20, 2018

Canned goods, dry goods, and monetary donations welcome at the FAIRS Care Food Drive. AroundIndy.com staff photo.

By Sharon Smith
Indiana State Fair

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. 2/28/18 – In honor of National Ag Day on March 20, 2018, the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center and its FAIRS Care program needs your help to provide much needed food relief for the community’s food pantry source, Gleaners Food Bank.

The “FAIRS Care Drive-Thru Food Drive” will be held on Tuesday, March 20 from 6:30-9:30 AM and 3-6 PM at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center, Fall Creek Pavilion Parking Lot (located inside the main entrance off Fall Creek Parkway), at the Gate 6 entrance.

Donors who bring canned and dry goods or monetary donations to the Fairgrounds will receive one complimentary ticket (limited to the first 250 donors) to the 2018 Indiana State Fair to be held Aug 3-19.

Suggested nonperishable food items include canned meats like tuna and chicken, soups and ravioli, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter and jelly and macaroni and cheese.

“We’re told that Gleaners sees a decline in food donations in March making it a perfect opportunity to host this drive leading up to National Ag Day,” said Cindy Hoye, executive director of the Indiana State Fair Commission. “Our team members take great pride in giving back and supporting fellow Hoosiers in need and I couldn’t be prouder of this initiative.”

In addition to the “FAIRS Care Drive-Thru Food Drive” two events being held in March at the Fairgrounds will offer attendees an incentive to donate canned or dry goods to benefit Gleaners Food Bank.

On Monday, March 12, individuals who bring canned or dry goods to the Indiana Flower & Patio Show held in the Expo Hall and West Pavilion will receive a $4 discount on admission.

On Saturday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day), individuals who bring GREEN canned or dry goods (green beans, peas, spinach, lentil soup, etc.) to the 7:35 PM Indy Fuel v. Toledo Walleyes “St. Patrick’s Day” game at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum will receive an Indy Fuel promotional item, while supplies last.

For more information, visit http://indianastatefair.com, or call 317-927-7500.

Christmas Gift and Hobby Show @indystatefair, Nov. 8-12, 2017

At the Christmas Gift and Hobby Show.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2016, all rights reserved.

By Tiffany Whisner
On behalf of the show

WHAT: The All-New Christmas Gift + Hobby Show is a place where thousands of people come together to experience a unique shopping event with one-of-a-kind finds. The show features more than 350 exhibitors along with a Holiday Entertainment Stage sure to put you in the holiday mood. Plus, get the chance to meet Santa!

The Christmas Gift + Hobby Show is produced by Marketplace Events, which produces 38 consumer shows in the U.S., 14 home shows in Canada, and six holiday shows. The 58 events collectively attract 17,250 exhibitors, 1.9 million attendees and another 2 million unique web visitors annually.

WHEN: 5 days: Wednesday, November 8 through Sunday, November 12, 2017

WHERE: Indiana State Fairgrounds – West Pavilion

FEATURES:

Search more than 350 vendors under one roof in this exciting five-day shopping event. There truly is something for everyone on your gift-buying list!

Merry Money is back! A winner will be drawn every 30 minutes throughout the show — all five days of the show — to receive $25 in Merry Money to use at any one vendor of your choice at the Christmas Gift + Hobby Show.

Show attendees can enjoy performances from a magician, local school choirs, singers, dancers and more on the Holiday Entertainment Stage.

Don’t forget to take your picture with Santa. He’ll be seated near the 40-foot live Christmas tree — a Norway Spruce courtesy of Hillcrest Christmas Tree Farm in Greenfield, Ind.

Do you or someone you know love to read? More than two dozen Indiana authors will appear at the Christmas Gift + Hobby Show to sell, sign and read from their works.

Pay honor and tribute to all our veterans on Saturday, November 11! All veterans and active duty military get FREE ADMISSION for the day. Just bring a valid ID, and come enjoy the Christmas Gift + Hobby Show!

Donate a toy on opening day ONLY, Wednesday, November 8, to Children’s Bureau, Inc., and receive a coupon for $4 off the price of adult admission at the box office.

Santa’s Elves of Indy are setting up their workshop at the Show, with volunteers at the coat check and gift-wrapping station. All proceeds go to helping the charity assist children and families in need this holiday season.

Hello, Neighbor! Daniel Tiger will be live at the Christmas Gift + Hobby Show on Saturday, November 11 from 12-2 p.m.

How much do you enjoy the Christmas Gift + Hobby Show? Would you like tickets to go every year for the rest of your life? Visit the Show Information Booth, and sign up to win!

TICKETS: $12 – Adult

FREE – Children 12 and under

$8 – Seniors (Box Office Only)

SHOW TIMES:
11/8-11/9 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
11/10-11/11 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
11/12 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

ONLINE DISCOUNT: Check out the Christmas Gift + Hobby Show website at www.ChristmasGiftandHobbyShow.com and get $2 off adult admission — good every day! Not applicable for senior tickets. Make sure to go online and save!

Indiana Flower & Patio Show, Mar. 11-19, 2017

Indiana Flower and Patio Show at the State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

By Tiffany Whisner
On behalf of Marketplace Events

WHAT: Now in its 59th year, the Indiana Flower + Patio Show is a place where people visit to become inspired, informed and energized with helpful advice, thousands of solutions and the coolest new products. The show features more than 40 Showcase Gardens crafted by many of Indiana’s premier landscapers, hundreds of finer outdoor living experts, and thousands of ideas to take home!

The Indiana Flower + Patio Show is produced by Marketplace Events, which produces 46 shows annually in 23 markets, including: 33 home shows in the U.S.; 14 home shows in Canada; and four holiday shows. The 51 events collectively attract 14,000 exhibitors, 1.5 million attendees and another 2 million unique web visitors annually.

WHEN: 9 days: Saturday, March 11 through Sunday, March 19, 2017

WHERE: Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street in Indianapolis, Indiana – West Pavilion and Exposition Hall

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Dig in to More Gardens — More Than an Acre!
This year’s Flower + Patio Show offers bigger, more extravagant Showcase Gardens that will wow when you walk down the aisles.

Looking for something more practical and affordable? The Show’s Feature Gardens will be scattered throughout the West Pavilion and Expo Hall, mid-sized gardens blending upscale and budget-friendly options to display a range of capabilities from the landscapers. There will also be a great showcase of gardens for all backyards on a budget.

Throughout West Pavilion and Expo Hall are more than 50,000 square feet of greenery — that’s almost the size of a football field!

Old, New, Borrowed, Blue
Get a glimpse of a marriage of elegant outdoor living with the natural environment. All the gardens at the Flower + Patio Show will include one or more items that are old, new, borrowed or blue. It might be an antique or a new plant, a borrowed artifact or new trendy blue color.

And this theme for the show also reflects the time-honored tradition of having “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” to give a bride good luck on her wedding day.

McNamara Florist features a wedding garden installation in the center of West Pavilion. This wedding-themed garden is the perfect place to get married, surrounded by gorgeous greens and the most beautiful tablescape and decorations.

A Growing New Feature: The Plant Market
It’s an exciting new addition to the Indiana Flower + Patio Show — the Plant Market! This new feature offers Flower + Patio Show visitors a first look at the buds of spring. Take home herbs, succulents, seeds, terrariums, cacti and hardy spring annuals.

Plus, get fresh flowers, plants and supplies throughout the 4,500 square feet of the Plant Market, located just inside the north entrance of West Pavilion!

HGTV’s Chris Lambton Transforms Your Yard
Chris is host of DIY Networks “Yard Crashers” and appears with wife Peyton on HGTV’s “Going Yard,” where they transform backyards, one house at a time. The show highlights Chris’s landscaping skills and gardening know-how as he creates outdoor living spaces and features including patios, pergolas, fire pits and water features for deserving homeowners.

Chris appears at the Flower + Patio Show Friday, March 17 through Sunday, March 19, offering attendees expert advice that includes landscaping, hardscaping, garden planning, lawn care and maintenance for all the areas of your outdoor living space.

Meet HGTV’s The House Counselor, Laurie March
As the host and creative force behind The House Counselor on HGTVRemodels.com, Laurie March guides her clients through the potential minefield that a remodeling project can become. Also the design coordinator for DIY Network’s Blog Cabin, Laurie shares her knowledge and passion for remodeling, decorating, gardening, cooking and crafting.

Laurie appears at the Flower + Patio Show Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12, sharing with attendees her approach to project managing and remodeling, which focuses on both the emotional and tactical aspects of a design project.

Master Your Home Garden Dream with Carrie Petty
Carrie Petty is a fourth-generation Hoosier, Master Gardener and a garden and lifestyle blogger. It is her passion to show people how to “Grow a Beautiful Life.” After 20 years as an award-winning custom homebuilder, Carrie now does what she loves best — playing in the dirt! Carrie appears at the Flower + Patio Show with tips on mastering your garden dream and how gardening and dirty hands equal a beautiful life. “A green thumb is a good life!”

Take Your Blooms To Go
The American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) is managing the fresh-cut flowers-to-go portion of the show, which is the flagship of the Plant Market. Show visitors get the chance to take home the scents, colors and textures of the season. The large, colorful retail display offers fabulous bouquets of healthy, hardy blossoms that can be purchased to take home at great prices!

AIFD will bring Show attendees the freshest flowers possible, sourced from around the world. Be sure to stop in for the best buys in fresh-cut flowers.

AIFD designers also will be onsite daily to help with flower selection, commentating on floral design, hosting hands-on workshops and answering any questions you have about caring for your fresh flowers.

Get in On the Hands-On Fun!
Check out the Flower + Patio Show workshops for some hands-on fun! Not only can you listen and learn, but you can participate. Create gardens of all types and sizes, build your dream bridal bouquet, design a unique signature bracelet and much more during these brand-new workshops.

All workshops will take place in Expo Hall near the Outdoor Living Stage at the west end of the building.

Think Spring with Outdoor Living Experts
The Outdoor Living Stage hosts the area’s most accomplished outdoor living experts, offering advice to dig your hands and mind into. Take a break from marveling at the exhibits, including the spectacular Showcase Gardens, and visit the Outdoor Living Stage!

The Belgard Challenge
The Belgard Challenge, one of the Indiana Flower + Patio Show’s most popular attractions, again pits three Central Indiana landscape designers against one another to create the most fabulous garden within a price range of $25,000 installed.

Showgoers love the Belgard Challenge because they choose the winner through onsite voting. Be sure to spend time inspecting each garden, and vote for your favorite!

Recreation Unlimited Kids Play Zone
Want to bring the whole family to the Flower + Patio Show, but you’re not sure what the kids will enjoy? Try the Kids Play Zone! Featuring equipment from Recreation Unlimited, this area is designed to let the kids play and give you a chance to try before you buy. Backyard playsets, basketball goals, trampolines and more will be on display and ready for your kids to explore.

Expo Hall Shines in the Dark
More than 12,000 square feet of gardens “in the dark” use only landscape, theatrical and multi-purpose lighting. This never-before-seen feature is headlined by Vive Exterior Design, Fiano Landscapes and Country Gardens. And joining them is Cool Ponds. Always a crowd favorite, Expo Hall in the Dark promises a stunning waterscape design.

Packed full of gardens and features, Expo Hall will be just as beautiful and full of must-see features as West Pavilion.

Blooming Sale!
Spot something in an Indiana Flower + Patio Show garden you can’t live without? Almost all plant materials, hardscapes, structures and decorative pieces used to create the magnificent gardens at this year’s event are available at our annual Blooming Sale!

When you see something for your own at-home landscape, talk with the onsite representatives of the garden where it’s displayed, and they will reserve the item for you. Then on the final Sunday of the show, you can pick up your new treasure!

Plus:

Noble Evening in the Garden: Where Dreams Blossom
This preview gala to the Indiana Flower + Patio Show began in 1997. It takes place on Friday, March 10, 2017, featuring house favorites from Indianapolis’s top restaurants, live entertainment, silent and live auctions and more. Don’t miss this exciting preview, set among the fabulous Showcase Gardens, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

The 21st Annual Noble Evening in the Garden is presented by The National Bank of Indianapolis and hosted by the Noble Auxiliary, with all proceeds from the event benefitting Noble of Indiana.

Hero Day – Tuesday, March 14
Pay honor and tribute to all our heroes on Hero Day, Tuesday, March 14! All active and retired military, police and fire personnel get FREE ADMISSION for the day, plus FREE PARKING at the State Fairgrounds. Just bring a valid ID, and come enjoy the Flower + Patio Show for the day!

TICKETS: $14 – Adult FREE – Children 12 and under

SHOW TIMES:

Saturdays 3/11, 3/18 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sundays 3/12, 3/19 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday-Wednesday 3/13 – 3/15 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday-Friday 3/16-3/17 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

ONLINE DISCOUNT: Check out the Indiana Flower + Patio Show website at http://www.IndianaFlowerandPatioShow.com and get $2 off admission — good every day! Make sure to go online and save!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 317.705.8719 OR VISIT THE INDIANA FLOWER + PATIO SHOW WEBSITE AT http://IndianaFlowerandPatioShow.com/.

Indianapolis Home Show, Jan. 20-29, 2017 @HomeShowIND

The West Pavilion (pictured), South Pavilion, and Exposition Hall at the State Fairgrounds will house the 95th Indianapolis Home Show, Jan. 20-29, 2017. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2011, all rights reserved.

By Tiffany Whisner
On behalf of the Indianapolis Home Show

THE 95th ANNUAL INDIANAPOLIS HOME SHOW FACT SHEET

WHAT:  The Indianapolis Home Show is the nation’s oldest and the Midwest’s largest home-focused extravaganza with more than 900 exhibit spaces. Now in its 95th year, the Home Show offers thousands of products, decorating, construction and remodeling ideas for visitors to gather and compare.

The Indianapolis Home Show is produced by Marketplace Events, which produces 46 shows annually in 23 markets, including: 33 home shows in the U.S.; 14 home shows in Canada; and four holiday shows. The 51 events collectively attract 14,000 exhibitors, 1.5 million attendees and another 2 million unique web visitors annually.

WHEN:  10 days: Friday, January 20 through Sunday, January 29, 2017

WHERE:  Indiana State Fairgrounds – West Pavilion, Exposition Hall, South Pavilion

SPECIAL FEATURES:

All Three Buildings!
The Indianapolis Home Show is appearing in all three exhibit buildings for the entire 10-day run of the show. Make sure to check out Exposition Hall, the West Pavilion and South Pavilion — all three exhibit spaces for the price of one ticket to the Indianapolis Home Show. And don’t forget, the Unilock Outdoor Living Stage is in the South Pavilion — full of celebrities and presenters you don’t want to miss!

Centerpiece Home
Fischer Homes will build this year’s Centerpiece Home — a fully-constructed, decorated and landscaped home built entirely inside Expo Hall, showing the most current and exciting trends in architecture and style.

Fischer Homes showcases its Rookwood design with a Coastal Acadian elevation, the first time featuring a ranch design — and the largest home ever built at the Indianapolis Home Show!

Interior designer Joy Perkins from Touch of Class works with Christine Robbins of the Fischer Homes team in decorating the Centerpiece Home to showcase a variety of options for customizing the home interior. To bring a feeling of relaxed elegance to the Centerpiece Home, look for a nautical theme with plenty of soothing colors, shiplap patterns and natural woods.

Landscaping for the Centerpiece Home, featuring a wooden pergola and fireplace with a water feature, comes courtesy of Calvin Landscape in Indianapolis.

Fischer Homes and Touch of Class
The builders and designers of the Centerpiece Home reveal an inside look into the making of the home and will appear at the Home Show onSaturday, Jan. 21 and Jan. 28.

Love Hilary or … Love Her
Hilary Farr is an internationally-renowned designer and co-host of “Love It or List It” on HGTV. The show, a fan favorite, is a reality series about homeowners who must decide how far they will go for their dream home.Hilary will bring her witty banter and design trademarks of timeless glamour and functionality to the Home Show on Saturday, January 28.

Out with the Old, In with the New
Kevin O’Connor is the host of the award-winning, PBS home renovation series “This Old House” and “Ask This Old House.” He has also hosted shows for the DIY network and The History Channel’s “H2.” In September 2011, Kevin published his first book, “The Best Homes of This Old House.” What’s the secret to that home improvement or remodeling project you’ve been working on? Kevin has the answer! Get the new ways to improve your old house when Kevin appears on Friday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan. 21!

Hate Your Yard? Talk to Sara Bendrick
Landscape designer Sara Bendrick comes to the rescue of people who love their homes but hate their yards on DIY Network’s “I Hate My Yard.” She works with homeowners to create the outdoor living spaces they’ve always dreamed of! Sara will help Home Show attendees realize the opportunity of their exterior spaces when she appears on Tuesday, Jan. 24 and Wednesday, Jan. 25.

Gardens and Greenery Grow Center Stage
Home Show, Home Show, how do your gardens grow? Gardens and greenery will grow center stage in the middle of West Pavilion and throughout the entire space for the 2017 Home Show.

Designed and constructed by the area’s top landscape professionals, the feature gardens highlight ways to incorporate your greenery with water features, furniture and more to create eye-catching outdoor living spaces.

As the official florist of the Indianapolis Home Show, McNamara Florist welcomes Home Show attendees with new entryways in all three Home Show buildings, combining home improvement materials with dramatic, colorful hints of spring!

Big Style Comes in a Tiny Home
With minimal space, tiny homes are maximizing style and function. The tiny house movement has been growing in popularity over the last decade, and the Indianapolis Home Show brings one of these tiny treasures to you. Come to the West Pavilion and see a downsized home that is still full of life!

Designer Room Showcase: Local Designers’ Special Spaces
Four local designers bring their inventive and imaginative ideas to the forefront in the Designer Room Showcase. Each designer shows off a unique look for different rooms throughout the home. Come to the South Pavilion, right across from the Unilock Outdoor Living Stage, for a look at their looks!

Spruce Up Your Space with Designer Liz Henderson
Liz has been featured on HGTV’s “House Hunters,” shared room updates on “Where Are They Now,” and renovated her basement on DIY Network’s “Renovation Realities.” With a passion for decorating and a love for people, Liz enjoys helping others redecorate their homes in the Midwest. She appears at the Home Show on Sunday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 28.

“Sincerely, Sara D.” DIY Blogger Sara Davis – Created to Create
Sophisticated traditional with a twist of fun, Sara enjoys giving outdated or worn furniture a new chance at life and has a love affair with chalkboards. After working as an art director at a greeting card company, Sara’s home walls soon became her creative outlet — that and blogging. Sara will give Home Show attendees the knowledge they need to create a pretty space without a lot of money. She will be at the Home Show on Thursday, Jan. 26 and Friday, Jan. 27.

She’s Got Unexpected Elegance – DIYer Angela Lerew
Angela Lerew is a home decor and DIY blogger who loves to create welcoming and inspiring spaces. She has been featured on “Elle Décor,” “Apartment Therapy,” “Good Housekeeping” and HGTV.com.  She shares do-it-yourself tutorials and simple ideas to transform your home at the Home Show on Wednesday, Jan. 25 and Thursday, Jan. 26.

Junkey Monkeys at Salvage Sisters Teach Re-tiquing Your Treasures
Junkey Monkeys Dianne and Lisa highlight their antiques and vintage look at Salvage Sisters’ Antique Shop. They work to reuse, re-tique and refurbish vintage treasures for your home. See them at the Home Show on Saturday, Jan. 21 and Sunday, Jan. 22, and learn how to give new life to your old furniture, art and other collectibles.

Family Feeding Tips with Basilmomma’s Heather Tallman
Heather Tallman, also known as Basilmomma, is an Indianapolis-based food personality and family meal advocate, food writer, blogger, newspaper columnist and freelance writer. In addition to recipe development and creating food and family travel-based content for her website, Tallman appears locally on Indianapolis TV and radio stations, sharing the message of family meals and quick-and-easy recipes. She will be at the Home Show on Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29.

The Hoosier Gardener Digs into Natural Gardening
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp has been writing and speaking about natural gardening for more than 25 years. She is a contributor to “Indiana Gardening” and “Edible Indy” magazines and has been writing a weekly gardening column for “The Indianapolis Star” since 1989. She is a garden coach and has a container planting business for both residential and commercial locations. Jo Ellen will show Home Show attendees how to put their green thumbs to work when she appears on Monday, Jan. 23 and Friday, Jan. 27.

Her Highness, the Queen of Free
She’s addicted to getting something for nothing — and Cherie Lowe, the Queen of Free, shares freebies and strategies for everyday savings along with inspiration for those pursuing a debt-free life. Cherie has appeared on WTHR-TV as a savings expert, and she’s been featured in “The Wall Street Journal” and on Yahoo Finance. Join the court of the Queen of Free at the Home Show on Sunday, Jan. 29!

Get the ABCs of Veggies from Carol Michel
Carol Michel is a lifelong gardener and Indiana resident who claims to have the largest hoe collection in the world! On her award-winning blog, Carol features topics from vegetable gardening to the wisdom of old gardening books. She will share her growing thoughts when she appears at the Home Show on Monday, Jan. 23 and Tuesday, Jan. 24.

Brighton Village Features Custom-Built Garden Sheds
Uniquely-designed for the Indianapolis Home Show, Brighton Developments, LLC, creates Brighton Village, which includes custom-built garden sheds that are the perfect mix of function and beauty. In addition, Brighton Village showcases a central pond, fountains and a variety of spruce trees with a new camp scene that brings the outdoors to life. Come see this special feature in the South Pavilion!

Planning to Remodel? Trendy Tips for Your Space
Dave Megge is the national kitchen/bath and flooring director for Carter Lumber and a leader in the design industry. A guest host on “Remodel it Right” and “Hire it Done” radio programs, he offers Home Show attendees tips for remodeling and space planning along with current and upcoming design trends. He appears at the Home Show on Friday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan. 21. 

Plus:

Masters of Ceremonies WIBC’s Terri Stacy and WYXB’s Sean Copeland
Often referred to as the “Sunshine of the Morning Show” on WIBC, Terri Stacy acts as a roving field reporter for Radio Indiana. She’s also the traffic voice in morning drive time weekdays on WIBC. And Sean Copeland is downtown Indy’s morning radio personality on B105.7. His sense of humor shines in his web series, “Sean in the City,” where he travels to different locations around the city to interact with residents.

The duo’s personality and charm come to the Home Show this year as masters of ceremonies to keep Home Show attendees informed and involved with what’s happening on the Unilock Outdoor Living Stage in the South Pavilion and throughout the Home Show. Terri appears for the Home Show’s first weekend, and Sean appears for the second weekend!

Hero Day – Opening Day
Pay honor and tribute to all our heroes on Hero Day, Friday, Jan. 20! All active and retired military, police and fire personnel get FREE ADMISSION for the day, plus FREE PARKING at the State Fairgrounds. Just bring a valid ID, and come enjoy the Home Show on opening day!

Marsh Day Monday – Jan. 23
Show visitors are invited to stop by the Marsh area from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Marsh Day. The first 750 households to visit will receive a free reusable Marsh grocery bag, one per household, while supplies last. Marsh focuses on nutrition with several in-store programs helping customers make more nutritious choices and learn about healthy recipes, shopping strategies and meal plans that fit customers’ lifestyles and make eating healthy easier.

Sip in Style at the Wine Garden
This year’s Wine Garden is more than a product showcase. It’s an experience — a mental trip to another country for some relaxation during the Home Show.

Unilock Craft Beer Corner in South Pavilion!
There’s beer, too! Taste a variety of craft beers and domestics in the South Pavilion’s Unilock Craft Beer Corner, open for the entire 10-day Home Show. Along with greenery and water features, the Unilock Craft Beer Corner invites in Home Show attendees to enjoy a beer in the midst of the lush scenery.

TICKETS:    $14 – Adult        $3 – Children ages 6-12       FREE – Children 5 and under

SHOW TIMES:

Fridays                              1/20, 1/27        11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturdays                          1/21, 1/28        10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sundays                            1/22, 1/29        10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Monday-Thursday            1/23 – 1/26       11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

MARSH DISCOUNT: Stop by any participating central Indiana Marsh Supermarket, and get your Home Show tickets at $2 off the regular box office admission price!

ONLINE DISCOUNT: Check out the Indianapolis Home Show website at http://www.IndianapolisHomeShow.com and get $2 off adult admission — good every day! Make sure to go online and save!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 317.705.8719 OR VISIT THE INDIANAPOLIS HOME SHOW WEBSITE AT www.IndianapolisHomeShow.com.