Make plans to attend the Indiana State Fair this year. The 18-day run begins July 29 and ends Aug. 21 at the state fairgrounds in Indianapolis. For the second year in a row, the fair is not open to visitors on Mondays and Tuesdays.
If you’re interested in agriculture, here’s a preview of what you can expect to see:
4-H exhibits. See everything from dioramas of model farmsteads to the best of 4-H photography in the 4-H building at the southwest corner of the state fairgrounds. If you want to see every 4-H exhibit, plan your trip later in the fair. Judging will still be underway for various 4-H projects, including photography and foods projects, after the fair officially opens.
FFA Pavilion. Meet members of the new state officer team, state staff, plus district FFA officers in the FFA Pavilion on the north side of the state fair track. The building will feature animals to pet, exhibits to see and Indiana homegrown items to buy.
Pioneer Village. The early days of farming come alive each day the state fair is open in the Pioneer Village. Threshing demonstrations daily feature the restored Red River Thresher, which is housed permanently on the state fairgrounds. If you want to go further back in time, all the way to the early days of farming in Indiana, take a tour through the main display building located in Pioneer Village. Look for the volunteers dressed in authentic farmer dress common in the early to mid-20th century.
Take time to tour the antique tractors on display behind the main building. No matter which color of tractor you favor, you’ll likely find one you like. You may even find some names you don’t recognize.
Pathway to Water Quality. The Indiana Conservation Partnership will once again staff the living conservation demonstration area at the northeast corner of the fairgrounds, just south of Pioneer Village. Walk through this wooded respite from your day at your own pace. Now a fixture of the fair for more than 25 years, it features everything from a cutaway look at how septic systems work to concrete sidewalks that allow water to penetrate the surface.
Volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions you might have about topics from controlling invasive species in woodlands to installing water systems for livestock on rotational grazing systems.
Livestock shows. All the normal 4-H and open class livestock shows are scheduled. However, since the Swine Building is under renovation and not usable, locations and times for hog shows and some other shows will be different than in previous years. Consult the Indiana State Fair website for livestock show schedules.
Due to changes in when species show, the Barrow and Gilt Grand Drive will be July 31. The 4-H Grand Drive for species other than hogs is Aug. 7, and the Supreme Drive for showmanship is Aug. 14.