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 (1852-10-20)
Previous eventJuly 29–August 21, 2022[1]
Next eventJuly 28–August 20, 2023[1]
AttendanceIncrease 837,568 (2022)[1]
LeaderCynthia Hoye (executive director)[1]
Organized byIndiana State Fair Commission
Websiteindianastatefair.com

The Indiana State Fair is an annual state fair that spans 18 days in July and 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.[2] It is the largest event in the state,[3] 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.[4]

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.[2]

History

19th century

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. 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.[5][6]

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.[7] 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).[8]

20th century

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.[9]

21st century

Historically, the fair lasted 12 days; however, it was expanded to 17 days (2009–2019), and 18 days in 2021.[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.[10] 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.[11] The coliseum reopened in 2014.[12]

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.[13][14]

Competitions

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.[15]

The Indiana State Fairgrounds' mile-long oval track has hosted auto races for over a century. The AAA National Championship and USAC National Championship have hosted Indy 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.[16] 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.[17]

Entertainment

Midway

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.[18] Midway rides operate from noon until 10 or 11 pm depending on the day.[19]

Performances

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[20] and, in 1989, New Kids on the Block set a Grandstand attendance record with 18,509 audience members.

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

Presidential visits

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

Aerial of Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in 2016
Annual attendance at the Indiana State Fair
1988–2023[1]
YearAttendanceYearAttendanceYearAttendanceYearAttendance
1988571,2301998Increase 728,7242008Increase 859,6002018Decrease 860,131
1989Increase 593,6761999Increase 748,2042009Increase 973,9022019Increase 878,857
1990Increase 639,3352000Increase 754,4102010Decrease 950,0002020canceled
1991Increase 676,6932001Decrease 731,5922011Decrease 872,3122021Decrease 830,390
1992Increase 722,2182002Increase 796,4312012Decrease 853,9412022Increase 837,568
1993Decrease 689,9242003Increase 878,1142013Increase 978,2962023Increase 840,414
1994Decrease 672,8722004Increase 900,3652014Decrease 954,884
1995Decrease 591,6802005Decrease 820,2482015Decrease 907,000
1996Increase 701,0212006Increase 870,0522016Decrease 731,543
1997Decrease 673,1672007Decrease 746,4212017Increase 906,732

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Indiana State Fair attendance up slightly from a year ago". Indianapolis Business Journal. IBJ Media. August 24, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  2. 1 2 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.
  3. ↑ Indiana State Fair Commission 2021 Annual Report (Report). Indiana State Fair Commission. June 10, 2022. p. 4. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Best State Fairs: 2015 10 Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards". 10Best USA Today. 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ "Indiana State Fair History". FunCityFinder.com. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Indiana State and Sanitary Fairs". Daily State Sentinel. October 4, 1864.
  8. ↑ "2011 Indiana State Fair". in.gov. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ Wall Street Journal. Jack Nicas, "Faulty Planning, Stage Cited in Fair Collapse". April 12, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Indiana fair concerts going to expanded coliseum". The Herald Bulletin. January 13, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ "COVID-19 Safety - Indiana State Fair". www.indianastatefair.com. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ "Introduction" (PDF). Indiana State Fair Board. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  16. ↑ Brown, Alex. "'Hoosier Hundred' to Leave State Fair After Track Conversion". www.insideindianabusiness.com. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  17. ↑ Richie, Murray (April 20, 2021). "Sumar Classic Replaces Hoosier Hundred". Sprint Car & Midget. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Indiana State Fair". October 24, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Midway". Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center.
  20. ↑ "1964: Hoosiers recall Beatles at Indiana State Fair". USA Today. July 31, 2014.
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