INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Fair will celebrate 18 days full of basketball with activities, exhibits, and much more July 28-August 20. Now in its 166th year, the Indiana State Fair will be held at the fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St. on the east side. Infield parking is $10 per vehicle. Admission to the Fair is $14 per person, and children under 5 are free. Discount tickets and parking passes are available online at indianastatefair.com. Thursdays are $3 admission days. The fair is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
To celebrate the basketball theme, the fair will highlight Hoopfest outdoor park, which includes a full size regulation court with tournaments, kids camps, coaches chats, and more. Also, check out the 1951 Chevy driven by Gene Hackman from the movie Hoosiers on display, exhibits on the evolution of the game, a photo exhibit of Indiana high school gyms, and lots of activities for fans of all ages. Basketball has a rich history at the Fairgrounds where the iconic Indiana Farmers Coliseum has played host to high school championships, the ABA Pacers, All-Star Games and more. Currently, the Indiana Farmers Coliseum is home of the Horizon League Basketball Championships and IUPUI Men’s Basketball.
In addition to the basketball theme, the 2023 Indiana State Fair will highlight several other exhibits, including:
• Illuminate! Don’t miss the debut of Illuminate!, a custom light show full of oversized lanterns from July 28-August 6 in the Expo Hall
• Otter Adventure show with the sweetest creatures on the Fairgrounds! Slide in to the MHS Family Fun Park August 2-20
• Parakeet Encounter is an experience a delightful encounter with these colorful birds
• Indiana Musician Showcase — Enjoy the music of local Indiana musicians performing around the State Fairgrounds in many locations! Stop by The Backyard, Wine Garden and The Taproom.
Fair food favorites will return, including the Dairy Barn’s grilled cheese sandwiches and shakes, corn dogs, sweet corn, and elephant ears. New this year is deep-fried corn on a stick, Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Corn in a Cup, Gimme S’more Bourbon Shake (using locally made Hotel Tango Shmallow Toasted Marshmallow Bourbon), and Indiana Grown Bison Burger.
This year. the fair has implemented new safety measures to ensure everyone can have a great time in a safe environment. They include:
• Unaccompanied Minor Policy: Fairgoers under the age of eighteen (18) must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or chaperone (age 21+) to enter the Indiana State Fair starting at 6 p.m. daily. This applies to all 18 days of the Fair.
Each adult may chaperone up to six (6) individuals and must remain at the Fairgrounds while the minors they are chaperoning are still present.
• Bag Policy: All bags permitted into the State Fair must be 9”x10”x12” or smaller. All bags are subject to search upon entry to the Fair through metal detectors.
• Weapons of any kind are prohibited at the Indiana State Fair.
• Visitors will be screened through metal detectors at entry gates.
