Indiana State Fair II

August 8, 2012









Indiana State Fair II

It is hard to select what is my favorite part of the Indiana State Fair. I sort of like it all. I love the huge midway, with all its crazy carny games and rides like the Himalaya, the huge Ferris Wheel, the bumper cars and more. I have been riding those silly rides for years, attending many a ride as often as you like wristband days over the years. I also love the state fair food. So much wonderful food can be found at the fair, most of it certainly not all that good for you, but yummy nonetheless.







Each year, the fair tries to outdo itself with some sort of crazy food item to get some media attention and garner interest. The past few years have focused on deep-fried items, everything from twinkies, to oreos, to girl scout cookies- even bubble gum. This year’s crazy item was Spaghetti & Meatball flavored ice cream…seriously. I could not bring myself to try it, opting for more traditional state fair goodness such as Elephant Ears, Corn from the Lion’s Club, a Tenderloin sandwich and Sutter’s Salt Water Taffy.









The fair is an awesome way to spend a day (or night), I had a fantastic day taking in everything Hoosier. The fair brings me back in touch not only with a raft of great memories, but it reminds me of my Hoosier heritage, which I really am sort of proud of. It is cool to see the best aspects of my home state so ably represented in the myriad of displays and activities and it also brings so many aspects of my state that have always been largely foreign to me.







I grew up in a city and other than in passing while driving down the highway, I never saw a cow or pig, certainly not up close and here at the fair just inches away was a chance to see the World’s Largest Boar, a massive pig that spends the greater part of its day laying on its side because its legs can barely support its weight. This year, I made a special effort to catch livestock shows, including the fascinating world of pig judging, the llama competition in which the llamas are led through an obstacle course not all that different than in some dog shows and even the cattle competition.







In addition, I had the good fortune to be at the fair for the Monster Truck Jam. Held on the dirt track in front of the main grandstands, where I had witnessed all those concerts, the truck jam was pretty much what you might expect, crazy truck creations driving over derelict cars in displays of crazy daring. I have no idea how it was judged, but one truck was eventually declared the ‘winner’ and fans seemed happy. It was sort of cool to see them hurtling over the mashed up cars, but I could not have cared a less about who won.







It was a little sad being in the Grandstands, no doubt one of the first events held at that location since the tragic stage collapse at the Sugarland concert at last year’s fair that claimed so many lives, it is doubly sad that because of the tragedy- concerts are no longer being held at the Grandstand. The good news is that the fair seems otherwise unaffected by the tragedy, and the crowds were back in full force the day I attended.





One of the coolest things about the fair is the huge midway. There is something enchanting about strolling through the midway, with its crazy rides and carnival games. The freak side shows are a thing of the past that I do miss a little, and the only ride I go on these days is the Ferris Wheel to get a decent view of the fairgrounds, but I still love the atmosphere, especially at night when the ride lights and sounds blend into a mélange that is found nowhere else.

Indiana State Fair

August 7, 2012









Indiana State Fair

One of my favorite events to attend has always been the Indiana State Fair. I love it and have been attending as often as possible since I was a small child. The State fairgrounds is located about a mile from my childhood home on the northside of Indianapolis and throughout my life I would often ride my bike or walk over to the Fair during its annual run in August.







The fair is a huge event and is currently the third largest state fair in the US, behind only Texas and Ohio and it incorporates a huge number of activities, competitions, events, musical performances and literally brings the country into what is actually a very urban neighborhood for a couple of weeks each year.







One might think that the clash of cultures brought about by suddenly introducing a large country contingent with their livestock, cowboy hats and boots, country music and such in to a distinctly urban area – with the requisite soul, rap, heavy metal and the like might lead to problems, but actually quite the opposite occurs and the diversity of the crowds that flock to the fair is something that is truly special and unique about the event.







Being in Indianapolis in August means to me at least one trip to the fair and I hustled back to Indianapolis from Chicago, so that I could spend an entire day and evening there. The fair has any number of events to choose from and I have had the good fortune to see all sorts of entertainment there. From the annual hot air balloon race, to tractor pulls, midget car racing, demolition derbies, stunt car spectaculars, and probably a hundred or so concerts.









I have seen all sorts of shows at the fair. The first concert that I attended without a family member was at the State Fair grandstand, Styx in 1976. I have also seen the likes of the Pointer Sisters, Bob Dylan, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, John Denver, the Dixie Chicks, Johnny Cash and even New Edition.





The Indiana State Fair has been going strong since the first fair was held in 1852, as an opportunity to showcase agriculture in the state, something that continues to this day as thousands of farmers converge to compete in all manner of competitions of agriculture and livestock. Huge pavilions on the fairgrounds house all manner of livestock from horses, cattle, poultry, sheep, pigs, llamas, rabbits and more.







From the beginning, the fair focused on improved agriculture and stock production and highlighted the mechanical arts and advancements in farm technology. Fairgoers enjoy entertaining events such as plowing contests, horse pulls, and harness racing. The Women’s Department sponsors exhibitions and competition in sewing, needlework, cooking, baking, and other domestic areas.





In addition pavilions feature agricultural products from around the state and yet more large buildings host native fish and wildlife for viewing in the Department of Natural Resources display. There is even a large man-made lake stocked with fish where proper fishing techniques are taught by state officials. It is a pretty massive and cool thing to experience.