History of the Indiana State Fair  

In 1851, the Indiana General Assembly passed a law that was, “An act for the encouragement of Agriculture.” This law created the State Board of Agriculture whose primary goal was to host the first Indiana State Fair. The first Fair took place in 1852 at Camp Sullivan, now known as Military Park. Indiana was only the sixth state in the nation to hold an annual state agricultural exposition.   

The State Fair was also held in Lafayette, Madison, New Albany, Fort Wayne and Terre Haute before it was centrally located to Indianapolis in the area that is now the Herron-Morton Place neighborhood.    

By the late 1800s, the Fair had outgrown its location and moved to its current location on 38th Street. The Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center opened in 1892 and has hosted more than 115 Indiana State Fairs.    

The State Fair has been held every year since 1852, except 1861 because the Indiana State Fairgrounds were being used for military purposes during the Civil War, and in 2020 when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During World War II, the fairgrounds were again requisitioned for the military and were under Army Air Forces use, therefore the 1942-1944 Fairs were scaled back to 4-H competitions only.  

Top tips for attending the Indiana State Fair   

• It is August in Indiana; remember to bring sunscreen and water.    

• The Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion is complete. Be sure to check it out!    

• The Fair hosts a variety of free concerts at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage. From Gary Allan to the Newsboys to Yolanda Adams and the crowd-favorite Happy Together tour, there’s a concert for you.  

• Don’t forget to see the beloved attractions like the giant cheese sculpture and the world’s largest boar.  

• If you’re looking for a break from the heat, be sure to enjoy the State Fair Splash Pad, the newest permanent fixture in MHS Family Fun Park, open daily from 9 am-8 pm. 

• Duck, Duck, RACE?! Waddle into MHS Family Fun Park at 12, 2, 4 or 6:30 PM  to watch The Great American Duck Race. There will be an additional show at 10:30 am on Saturdays & Sundays.  

• To match last year’s theme, the fair will feature interactive experiences, including a permanent addition: the State Fair Outdoor Basketball Court. 

Listen to the roar of the chainsaw as internationally award-winning chainsaw artist Chris Lantz turns a log into an amazing sculpture. This will be an amazing experience you won’t want to miss! Extreme Scuplting will be on Main Street at 2:30, 4:30 and 6:30 pm, with an additional show at 11:30 am on Saturdays and Sundays. 

• And finally, the Fairgrounds is 250 acres of non-stop fun—be sure to wear comfortable shoes.   

  
Join us August 3 for Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Day at the Indiana State Fair!