INDIANAPOLIS — A large roster of brand new entertainment events, a long list of familiar favorites and a venue that continues to undergo significant enhancements are on tap for the 85th annual Marion County Fair presented by Ray Skillman Chevrolet.
The fair runs Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 28 at the Marion County Fairgrounds, 7300 East Troy Ave. in Indianapolis (just off the I-465 & Southeastern Avenue interchange). Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
General admission is just $5 per person. Children ages 5 and under are free, military with valid ID are free, and parking is free in convenient fairgrounds lots. In celebration of the fair’s 85th anniversary, on Thursday, June 24, free general admission will be offered to fairgoers who are 85 years old, were born in 1985, or were born on August 5 (8/5).
“Our board of directors has worked diligently since last year’s fair, overseeing additional upgrades to the fairgrounds, exploring new and exciting entertainment options and scheduling all of the events fairgoers will enjoy at the 85th annual Marion County Fair,” said Ron Phillips, president of the board. “We’re also pleased to welcome several new sponsors to our fair family, including our new presenting sponsor, Ray Skillman Chevrolet.”
Phillips noted that a newly designed web site, www.marioncountyfair.org, will help fairgoers keep up to date with all the action during the 10-day run, and also encouraged fans to like the fair’s Facebook page for even more event information.
Phillips said that the fairgrounds themselves have had significant upgrades and repairs, including electrical, plumbing, and landscaping upgrades. Visitors will likely notice the new paving on Main Street more than the new bathrooms in the Marketplace (formerly known as Expo Hall). However, the upgrades are a key part of the long-term vision for the fairgrounds: to be a year-round campus for organizations and groups. At the moment, Peaceful Grounds operates year-round on the fairgrounds, offering a “growing” education in their demonstration gardens and markets. Phillips said that they hope to attract more conferences to the upgraded facilities. “We need to become self-sufficient,” he stressed.
Phillips is very excited about this year’s Marion County Fair activities. Four radio stations will be broadcasting live from the grounds, plus lots of great activities for everyone. “We’re calling this the year of the dog,” he said, with lots of dog-related activities like Elite Performance K9 demos, Kasey the Fire Dog Safety program, Indiana Dock Dogs, Police K9 demonstrations, capped off with the 4-H Dog Show on June 27 and 28 at 10 a.m. It wouldn’t be a county fair without the farm animals, either — sheep, swine, horses, and the 4-H families who raise them. However, he noted that due to the threat of avian flu, the poultry shows have been cancelled. Instead, visitors can enjoy educational activities using toy chickens and illustrated talks. The chickens of Peaceful Grounds will be on view. “We’ll be pretty much the only fair — including the State Fair — with chickens!”
This year’s generous sponsorship from Ray Skillman Chevrolet, in addition to the many other sponsors such as Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Elanco, O’Reilly, and State Farm, plus the new 503-C non-profit designation is helping the fairgrounds, as well as the fair. “We are so fortunate that the community has embraced us,” Phillips said.
The fun begins on Friday, June 19 with a wide range of events including the Fred Astaire Dance Party with the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra, Queen & Princess Pageants, 4-H horse events, Ray Skillman Chevrolet Tent Sale, fireworks provided by Circle City Pyrotechnics, and Elite Performance K9 demos sponsored by Elanco and presented by Noah’s Animal Hospitals and the Central Indiana Kennel Club. The fair’s midway, operated by Indiana-based North American Midway Entertainment, will feature unlimited rides for $25.
Also, for the first time, there will be a Father’s Day Celebration presented by Fred Astaire Dance Studio on June 21. Men receive $2 off admission, and there will be all sorts of things Dad will enjoy, including an open class car show, and a father-daughter dance.
“It will be a fabulous fair,” Phillips promised, “and we are looking forward to welcoming long-time fairgoers as well as first-time guests to our 85th anniversary party!”
For additional information about the 85th annual Marion County Fair presented by Ray Skillman Chevrolet, visit www.MarionCountyFair.org. You will find a full listing of daily activities and special shows online.
