INDIANAPOLIS — The 84th annual Marion County Fair has expanded its run from nine to 10 days, with an exciting, entertaining line-up of brand new events and popular returning features designed to appeal to the entire family.
“We’ve crafted an ambitious agenda with an eye to presenting an event that is fresh and fun, but still retains the traditions that are beloved by our thousands of fans,” said Ron Phillips, Marion County Fair president. “Expanding the fair to a full 10 days enables us to bring in some of the new events and activities that we think fairgoers will find very special.
“Our fair board also has been hard at work throughout the past year, addressing and upgrading fairgrounds infrastructure,” Phillips continued. “Some of the enhancements are obvious, while others, such as upgrades to electrical and the like, aren’t as apparent but nevertheless are key improvements that needed to be made.”
The fun begins Friday, June 20 and continues through Sunday, June 29 at the Marion County Fairgrounds, 7300 East Troy Avenue, just east of the I-465 and Southeastern Avenue interchange. Gates open at 5 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. General admission is $5 per person; children 5 and under are free, military members with valid ID are free, and parking always is free in convenient fairgrounds lots.
Bring a non-perishable food or pet food donation for the Fairs Care program, and receive $1 off admission throughout the fair. Other discounts include Senior Night presented by OASIS on Monday, June 23 when fairgoers age 55-plus receive $1 off admission with ID, and Ladies’ Night on Wednesday, June 25, when all female fairgoers regardless of age receive $2 off admission. (Only one discount option per person will be accepted.)
Once on the grounds, fair guests will discover a jam-packed schedule full of fun and fabulous events, delicious fair foods, popular displays in the 4-H, Family Arts and Expo Buildings, thrilling competitions at the Grandstand and Horse Arena, continuous entertainment on the Park Stage, one of Indiana’s top midways, and much more!
Among new attractions for 2014 are:
• Elephant Encounters, up-close educational and inspirational sessions with the world’s largest land mammals (June 24-29).
• Fred Astaire Dance Studio Opening Night Dance Party featuring dancers showing off incredible moves on Admin Plaza choreographed to live music by the Indy Jazz Orchestra.
• Health & Safety Day featuring dozens of public safety organizations with displays and demos.
• Radio Controlled Airplanes performing incredible aerobatic maneuvers.
• Indy’s celebrated Clown Band, the Circle City Stompers, on site with their unique brand of music, humor and fancy footwork.
• The fair’s inaugural Robotics Competition featuring teams from throughout Indiana demonstrating their remarkable skills.
• Appearance by Will Allen of Growingpower.org at the fair’s on-site working farm, Peaceful Grounds.
Every one of the days of the fair are action-packed with family-friendly fun and education. Additional information about daily events, activities and competitions, times, midway specials, fair history, and more is available at www.MarionCountyFair.org. Like the Marion County Fair on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marioncounty4hfair), and follow the fair on Twitter (@YourMCF).
