INDIANAPOLIS – The gates to the Marion County Fair swing open for its 88th annual edition Fri., June 15 through Sun., June 24 at 7300 E. Troy Ave. with a full complement of fun and entertainment for all ages on the agenda.
Headlining this year’s event are the “fair-well” performances of Twiggy the Waterskiing Squirrel. The world-famous rodent demonstrates her skills on skis and spreads her water safety messages June 15 through June 19 in what is one of her final bookings before she and trainer Lou Ann Best retire the act. Twiggy is back by popular demand after her 2017 performances packed the fair’s Administration Plaza with fans.
Other special features on this year’s schedule are Elite Performance K9s (June 16-17 & June 22-24), Pork Chop Revue (June 20-24), two Kids’ Days (June 16 & June 23), the always popular Gospel Music Celebration (June 16), Opening Night Fireworks (June 15), and chainsaw carver Jason Emmons (June 15-17).
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Twiggy, the waterskiing squirrel, will be entering retirement later this year. Be sure to head out to the Marion County Fair to see his act!
The grandstand will be action-packed with a wide variety of events including Supercross Racing (June 15), Truck Drag Racing (June 16), Draft Horse & Pony Pull (June 17), Outlaw Kart Races (June 19), TQ Midget Racing (June 20), and Demolition Derby (June 22-23).
The Park Stage offers continual free entertainment throughout the fair. Among performers scheduled to appear are RC Blues Band, Wayne Ellis Watson, Carly Brooke, Linda Smith Band, Rural Route 3, 45 RPMs, Heaven Canster, Greg Rhodes, Nicoles Bridgens, Vinny & the Moochers, Chris Canas Band, Indianapolis Municipal Band, and more.
The Marion County Fair Midway — the event’s centerpiece operated by North American Midway Entertainment — brings a brand new ride to the fair along with familiar favorites. Ride discounts are plentiful, and described on the fair’s website at www.MarionCountyFair.org.
The fair’s car show returns in 2018 in a brand new format: the fair has joined forces with Church Brothers Collision Repair to present the 5th annual Church Brothers Collision Repair Car Show to Benefit the Gary Dudley Memorial Scholarship Foundation on Sat., June 16. The event will be held off-site at the Church Brothers east side shop, 751 N. Shadeland Ave. The first 200 entrants will receive two tickets to the Marion County Fair; those who elect to go directly from the car show to the fairgrounds on June 16 will be parked in a special, secured lot. The Dudley foundation provides college scholarships to children of Indiana law enforcement personnel who have died in the line of duty. More car show information and pre-registration can be found at www.church-brothers.com.
Back on-site at the fairgrounds, guests will enjoy displays and demonstrations in Family Arts, the Marketplace, 4-H, and more. The Horse Arena will be a busy venue with 4-H competition; other animal competitions and displays are scheduled throughout the fair’s run. A new Queen and Princess will be crowned, talent shows will be held, and concessionaires return with a dazzling variety of favorite fair foods.
The complete 10-day schedule can be found on the Marion County Fair’s new website, www.MarionCountyFair.org.
Gates are open from 12 noon to 11 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday. General admission is $5; children 5 and under, and members of the military with valid ID, are admitted free. Parking is free in large, convenient lots.
