INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Fair is full of traditions and memories for Hoosiers statewide, and this year Fair organizers are adding additional exciting features to enjoy. With a new interactive animal exhibit, a new roller coaster and popular Big Top Circus entertainers, you won’t want to miss this year’s Fair. The Indiana State Fair will run Aug. 3-19 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, located on the east side at the corner of 38th St. and Faill Creek Parkway. Advance tickets online at www.indianastatefair.com are only $8 per person per day or a family 4 pack that includes a parking pass is only $30.
Fairgoers will get the chance to try out a new roller coaster, the BulletTrain. This thrilling ride climbs 33-feet high before launching riders into sharp turns and banking curves with fast transitions and drops.
submitted photo
Bello Nock
An Indiana State Fair ticket will also get you access to the Big Top Circus, presented by Bee Window. There are three free shows daily at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. (no 1 p.m. show on Thursdays), headlined by internationally renowned Bello Nock. To complement the Big Top Circus, a “Celebrating Indiana’s Circus History” exhibit will offer an interactive, educational experience based around the circus.
Animal Town, presented by Indiana Farm Bureau, allows fairgoers to learn about their favorite barn yard animals. Animal Town is an interactive exhibit featuring several species of animals every day of the fair from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., including beef and dairy cattle, chickens, goats, draft horses, llamas, rabbits, sheep and swine. Animal Town is located at the east end of the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand.
Also new to the 2018 fair is an appearance by world-champion competitive food eater Joey Chestnut. Chestnut will attempt to break the record for the World’s Ice Cream Eating Championship held at the Fair on August 5 at 2 p.m. At last year’s fair, the world record was broken by Miki Sudo.
Another celebrity appearance will be made by TV host and chef Ted Allen of the Food Network TV show Chopped. Allen is an Emmy and James Beard award winner and the host four Food Network shows, and is a Hoosier by birth. Allen will also be this year’s keynote speaker at the Harvest Dinner, an Indiana State Fair Foundation fundraising event. The Harvest Dinner will take place on August 15 at 5 p.m. in the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Harvest Dinner proceeds benefit the Celebration of Champions, which awards cash prizes to 4-H youth winners at the Indiana State Fair. Tables can be reserved at IndianaStateFairFoundation.org.
Speaking of food, new food introductions at the fair this year include the Inside Out Grilled Cheese and Birthday Cake Shake at the Dairy Barn, Deep Fried Sugar Cream Pie and Deep Fried Chicken & Waffle Sandwich by Urick Concessions, and BBQ Pork Potachoes from the Indiana Pork Producers.
The Chevrolet Free Stage includes major stars such as Rick Springfield on Aug. 3, Kool & the Gang Aug. 9, Hanson on Aug. 10, Warrant on Aug. 11, Grand Funk Railroad on Aug. 15, Robby Krieger of The Doors on Aug. 18. Kirk Franklin will headline the Gospel Music Festival Aug. 19. All shows are at 7:30 p.m.
Grandstand sows include the Balloon Race on Aug. 3 at sunrise, and the Illuminated Tractor Parade at 9 p.m. on Aug. 3 (free admission to both events). Music For All Band Day is Aug. 4 (tickets $6 for adults), Horse pulls o Aug. 7 for $5 admission, Harness racing, cheerleading competition, tractor pulls, rodeo, monster truck shows, and demolition derbies.
Visit the Indiana State Fair Web site for a full schedule and to order tickets in advance.
