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Indiana State Fair
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Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair is an annual state fair that spans 15 days in August 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. It is the largest event in the state, drawing between 730,000 and 980,000 visitors annually since 2010. In 2015, readers of USA Today ranked the Indiana State Fair among the ten best state fairs in the country.
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.
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.
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. 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).
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.
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.
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Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair is an annual state fair that spans 15 days in August 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. It is the largest event in the state, drawing between 730,000 and 980,000 visitors annually since 2010. In 2015, readers of USA Today ranked the Indiana State Fair among the ten best state fairs in the country.
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.
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.
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. 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).
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.
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.
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