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Indiana State Fair

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The Indiana State Fair is an annual state fair that spans 15 days in August[1] in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. The Indiana State Fair debuted in 1852 at Military Park in Indianapolis and is the sixth oldest state fair in the U.S.[4] It is the largest event in the state,[5] drawing between 730,000 and 980,000 visitors annually since 2010.[1] In 2015, readers of USA Today ranked the Indiana State Fair among the ten best state fairs in the country.[6]

Indiana State Fair
Main Street during the 2015 Indiana State Fair
StatusActive
GenreState fair
FrequencyAnnually
VenueIndiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center
Location(s)Indianapolis, Indiana
Coordinates39°49′47.82″N 86°8′3.68″W / 39.8299500°N 86.1343556°W / 39.8299500; -86.1343556
CountryU.S.
Years active1852–1860; 1865–1916; 1919–1941; 1945–2019; 2021–
InauguratedOctober 20, 1852; 172 years ago (1852-10-20)
Previous eventAugust 2–August 20, 2024[1]
Next eventAugust 1–August 17, 2025[2]
AttendanceIncrease 854,236 (2024)[1]
LeaderCynthia Hoye (executive director)[3]
Organized byIndiana State Fair Commission
Websiteindianastatefair.com

The Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center has been the host site of the fair since 1892. Located about 4 miles (6.4 km) north of downtown Indianapolis, it encompasses 214 acres (87 ha), 72 buildings, a 6,000-seat grandstand, and a 1-mile (1.6 km) racetrack. The complex is home to year-round tenants and is used throughout the year for a variety of other gatherings, including trade shows, sporting events, and concerts.[4]

History

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19th century

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Advertisement for the 1874 state fair

In February 1851, at the urging of Governor Joseph Wright, the Indiana General Assembly passed an act intended "to encourage agriculture" growth in the state, which also included the formation of a State Board of Agriculture. A primary goal of the board was to organize an Indiana State Fair. Indiana was the sixth state to begin holding an annual statewide agricultural fair.[7] On October 20–22, 1852, Indiana's first state fair was held on the grounds of what is now Military Park, west of downtown Indianapolis. In 1860 a new location for the fairgrounds was established on approximately 38 acres (15 ha) along Alabama Street, north of the city.[8][9]

During the American Civil War, the county fairgrounds was converted into Camp Morton, a prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers. In 1864, a sanitary fair was held as part of the larger state fair.[10] In 1865, the fair was held in Fort Wayne. The gates opened at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on East 38th Street for the first time on September 19, 1892. Since then, the fair has continually been held in Indianapolis.

The Indiana State Fair has been held in Indianapolis for the majority of its existence. Other Indiana cities hosted the event during the 19th century, including Lafayette (1853); Madison (1854); New Albany (1859); Fort Wayne (1865); and Terre Haute (1867).[11]

20th century

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Further information: 1963 Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum gas explosion
 
Aftermath of the October 31, 1963 gas explosion.

There was no fair held in 1917 and 1918 because of World War I nor from 1942 to 1944 because of World War II.

On October 31, 1963, a propane tank exploded in the Indiana State Fair Coliseum, killing 54 at the scene; another 27 died due to their injuries, with a total of 81 people killed. Around another 400 were injured. It is the deadliest disaster in Indianapolis history.[12]

21st century

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Further information: Indiana State Fair stage collapse

Historically, the fair lasted 12 days; however, it was expanded to 17 days (2009–2019), and then to 18 days (2021-2023). Starting in 2024, the event has been condensed down to 15 days.[1]

On August 13, 2011, high winds from an approaching thunderstorm collapsed the roof over the grandstand stage just before Sugarland was about to perform, killing seven people and injuring 58.[13] Concerts were moved indoors to the Fairgrounds Coliseum, and, during that building's renovation in 2013, events were moved to Bankers Life Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium.[14] The coliseum reopened in 2014.[15]

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 fair. The fair resumed in 2021 with some social distancing measures, but masks were not required.[16][17]

Competitions

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Sheep judging at the 2007 fair

During each annual run of the Indiana State Fair, several competitions take place. The 4-H has a large participation in the fair and competitions are held in numerous areas for 4-H youth members. 4-H winners at county fairs can progress to the state fair with their livestock, crafts, gardening, or other exhibits. The winner at the state fair can, in some cases, advance to a national competition. The winners receive scholarships and other awards.

Other competitions also occur including art contests, a hot air balloon race, and a high school marching band contest, the Indiana State Fair Band Day on "Band Day". Adult competitions also occur in various farm-related categories.[18]

The Indiana State Fairgrounds' mile-long oval track has hosted auto races for over a century. The AAA National Championship and USAC National Championship hosted car races in 1946 and from 1953 to 1970, traditionally under the name Hoosier Hundred. The USAC Silver Crown Series sanctioned the event since 1971. However, the track will be converted to a harness racing facility with an all-weather surface of crushed limestone. The half-mile dirt track in the infield will also be eliminated to allow more parking for the State Fair and other events.[19] The conversion was originally scheduled to occur after the 2019 race, but the conversion was delayed until 2021; the 2021 race was originally scheduled to still be run at the Fairgrounds, but was moved to the Terre Haute Action Track.[20]

Entertainment

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Midway

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Entrance to the Indiana State Fair Midway in 2008

The Midway is the area of amusement park rides and games. Fairgoers can either buy single-ride tickets or unlimited ride wristbands.[21] Midway rides operate from noon until 10 or 11 pm depending on the day.[22]

Performances

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Numerous nationally known entertainers have performed at the Indiana State Fair.

On September 3, 1964, The Beatles performed two sold-out shows to a total audience of nearly 30,000[23] and, in 1989, New Kids on the Block set a Grandstand attendance record with 18,509 audience members.[24]

The fair also presents Latino/Hispanic entertainment for Indiana's Hispanic population.

Presidential visits

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In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson gave a speech to a crowd of 40,000 on a day known as "Big Thursday." Over the years, Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump have all made appearances at the fairgrounds.

Attendance

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Aerial of Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in 2016
Annual attendance at the Indiana State Fair
1988–2024[1]
Year Attendance Year Attendance Year Attendance Year Attendance
1988 571,230 1998   728,724 2008   859,600 2018   860,131
1989   593,676 1999   748,204 2009   973,902 2019   878,857
1990   639,335 2000   754,410 2010   950,000 2020 canceled
1991   676,693 2001   731,592 2011   872,312 2021   830,390
1992   722,218 2002   796,431 2012   853,941 2022   837,568
1993   689,924 2003   878,114 2013   978,296 2023   840,414
1994   672,872 2004   900,365 2014   954,884 2024   854,236
1995   591,680 2005   820,248 2015   907,000
1996   701,021 2006   870,052 2016   731,543
1997   673,167 2007   746,421 2017   906,732

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Mason King (August 23, 2024). "Indiana State Fair attendance rises slightly despite three fewer days". Indianapolis Business Journal. IBJ Media. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  2. ^ "Indiana State Fair". Indiana State Fair Commission. 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  3. ^ Indiana State Fair Commission 2023 Annual Report (PDF) (Report). Indiana State Fair Commission. June 19, 2024. p. 6. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Boomhower, Ray; Weintraut, Linda B.; Erickson, Norma (2021) [1994]. "Indiana State Fair and Fairgrounds". Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Indianapolis Public Library. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  5. ^ Indiana State Fair Commission 2023 Annual Report (PDF) (Report). Indiana State Fair Commission. June 19, 2024. p. 6. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  6. ^ "Best State Fairs: 2015 10 Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards". 10Best USA Today. 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  7. ^ "Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center Collection | University Library". library.indianapolis.iu.edu. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  8. ^ David J. Bodenhamer and Robert G. Barrows, ed. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press. p. 1481. ISBN 978-0-253-31222-8.; Ignatius Brown (1868). Logan's History of Indianapolis from 1818. Indianapolis: Logan and Company. p. 64.; and Holloway, W. R. (1870). Indianapolis: A Historical and Statistical Sketch of the Railroad City, A Chronicle of its Social, Municipal, Commercial and Manufacturing Progress with Full Statistical Tables. Indianapolis: Indianapolis Journal. p. 112. OL 7229155M.
  9. ^ "Indiana State Fair History". FunCityFinder.com. Retrieved August 14, 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  10. ^ "Indiana State and Sanitary Fairs". Daily State Sentinel. October 4, 1864.
  11. ^ "2011 Indiana State Fair". in.gov. Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  12. ^ Drabek, Thomas E. (June 1996). "Disaster in Aisle 13 Revisited". In Koehler, Gus A. (ed.). What Disaster Response Management Can Learn from Chaos Theory. Sacramento, California: California Research Bureau. pp. 42–60. ISBN 978-0-7881-4499-8.
  13. ^ Wall Street Journal. Jack Nicas, "Faulty Planning, Stage Cited in Fair Collapse". April 12, 2012.
  14. ^ "Indiana fair concerts going to expanded coliseum". The Herald Bulletin. January 13, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  15. ^ Rader, Kevin (April 25, 2014). "Open house shows off newly renovated State Fairgrounds Coliseum". WTHR. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  16. ^ "COVID-19 Safety - Indiana State Fair". www.indianastatefair.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  17. ^ Klein, Dan (July 31, 2021). "Few masks at Indiana State Fair, but even people with higher COVID risks can't stay away". WISH-TV | Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  18. ^ "Introduction" (PDF). Indiana State Fair Board. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 19, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  19. ^ Brown, Alex. "'Hoosier Hundred' to Leave State Fair After Track Conversion". www.insideindianabusiness.com. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  20. ^ Richie, Murray (April 20, 2021). "Sumar Classic Replaces Hoosier Hundred". Sprint Car & Midget. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  21. ^ "Midway Rides & Attractions". Indiana State Fair. 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  22. ^ "Midway". Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center.[permanent dead link‍]
  23. ^ "1964: Hoosiers recall Beatles at Indiana State Fair". USA Today. July 31, 2014.
  24. ^ Lindquist, David. "10 times Indy lost it because of a hot music act". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
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