The school year may be just around the corner, but there’s still time for one of summer’s biggest celebrations: the Indiana State Fair. This year’s fair opens on July 28 and will close on Aug. 20. The fair will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
According to a press release from the Indiana State Fair, this year’s theme is “BASKETBALL: Celebrating the State that Grew the Game” with Pacers Sports & Entertainment acting as the sponsor. For more information about this year’s fun-filled fair — including ticket prices, hours and more — see below.
Ticket prices and parking passes
Single day fair admission costs $11. Children five-years-old and under can attend the fair for free. Refunds for admissions are not available. Non-refundable parking passes are also available to purchase online for $8.
Fair, midway and exhibit hours
The Indiana State Fair will be open on the following days:
Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Thursdays, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
Fridays, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sundays, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
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The latest you can enter the fair is 8 p.m. on any of the days the fair is open. The midway — which is the section of the fair with rides — offers slightly different hours from other parts of the fair and are as follows:
Wednesdays, noon-10 p.m.
Thursdays, noon- 11p.m.
Fridays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sundays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
In addition to general admission and the midway, exhibits will be open for visitors to explore, with the 4-H exhibit operating from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mercantile operating from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Harvest Pavilion operating from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. The Mercantile and Harvest Pavilion are both event centers at the fairgrounds that will host various shows and events throughout the fair.
Free concerts
Clint Black, Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton, Peppa Pig LIVE!, Home Free, Keith Sweat, Styx, Three Dog Night, BRELAND and more will take on the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage at this year’s state fair. All concerts at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage are included in your general admission fair ticket. For more info on performance times and a complete performer list, click here.
[Related: The ultimate guide to summer vacationing in Indiana]
New foods
The state fair is famous — or maybe even infamous — for its annual array of sometimes daring, sometimes comforting, sometimes awe-inspiring menu of treats. In addition to traditional fair food, be on the lookout for BBQ Pig Wings, Bratchos, Buffalo Pork-n-Mac, Cinnamon Crunch Corn, Deep Fried Corn on a Stick, Gimme S’more Bourbon Shake and so much more.
