Indiana State Fair - 150 Years of Tradition

IndyStar -

Traditions live at State Fair
In an era in which some Hoosier traditions are fading, the Indiana State Fair keeps alive experiences that residents have shared for generations. People from all over the state get together and for 12 days see and enjoy Indiana agriculture, industry, food, arts and crafts, and entertainment.

The first fair of 1852, held in what is now Military Park Downtown, featured samples of the best livestock and summer crops in the state, agricultural implements and machinery, exhibitions of horses, and horse racing. No amusement stands or sideshows were permitted on the fairgrounds, but lined the streets outside.

Visitors at the 150th State Fair this year will find many of the same activities, updated over time and joined by many additional traditions. Agriculture is still at the core of the fair, and today's farmers and their children continue to compete for prize ribbons awarded for dairy and beef cattle, draft and saddle horses, swine, sheep, poultry, rabbits, and mules. (more...)