100 FREE Things To Do at the 2024 Indiana State Fair

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1. Challenge your friends to a game of putt-putt golf

• Corteva Agriscience™ FFA Pavilion
• Daily, 9AM - 9PM

2. See if your kiddos can reel in the catch of the day at the DNR Fishing Pond

• DNR Building
• Daily, 10AM – 1PM, 4PM – 7PM

3. Get around the grounds for FREE on the tractor shuttles

• Around the grounds
• Dates/Times Vary

4. Decide on your favorite hot air balloon and cheer it on at the PNC Bank Hot Air Balloon Race

• Infield
• 8/3 at 6:45AM/ Sunrise

5. Watch the Indiana State Fair Parade

• Main Street
• Daily, 2PM on Tuesdays & Saturdays, 6:30PM all other days

6. NEW! DockDogs Presented by T-Mobile Big Air Wave Competition

• Every day of the Fair in Celebration Park
• 11AM, 1PM, 3:30PM, 5PM & 6PM

7. Visit beautiful butterflies at the Butterfly Exhibit

• DNR Building
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

8. Meet and pet baby goats

• Goat Mountain
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

9. Visit Pioneer Village and be transported back into the 1800s!

• Pioneer Village
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

10. Cool down at the FAIRadise Splash Pad

• MHS Family Fun Park
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

11. NEW! Check out the Stilt Circus

• Around the Grounds
• Daily at various times

12. Visit Illuminate! Outdoors

• The Backyard
• Daily, 9AM - 9PM

13. Take a self-guided trail around the Fairgrounds – pick up maps for The Wonder Trail at any State Fair Information Booths presented by Prairie Farms.

• Around the Grounds
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

14. Tour the Indiana History Train presented by Indiana Historical Society

• MHS Family Fun Park
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

15. Let your youngsters take on the role of a farmer for the day by participating in Little Hands on the Farm presented by Indiana529

• MHS Family Fun Park
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

16. NEW! Artscape: Where Imagination Grows!

• Harvest Pavilion
• Open daily, 9AM - 9PM

17. Meet Johnny Appleseed!

• Pioneer Village
• 8/2 & 8/10 - 10:30AM

18. Meet the Indiana State Fair Queen, Alexxys Standish, at Introduction to Royalty: Our Indiana County Fair Queens!

• Pioneer Village Opry House
• 8/11 - 4:30PM

19. Marvel at the giant cheese sculpture presented by American Dairy Association Indiana Inc.

• The Mercantile at Ag/Hort
• Daily, 9AM - 9PM

20. Take a reading break at the Indiana State Fair Reading Garden

• MHS Family Fun Park
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM.

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21. Take in fair festivities as you walk across the scenic Covered Bridge

• Near the Midway at the west end of the Fair
• Daily, 9AM - 9PM

22. See beautiful works of art created by local artists

• Indiana Arts Building
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

23. Get creative inspiration with the Make it with Wool Fashion Show

• Indiana Arts Building
• 8/4 – 9PM

24. Feeling cozy, stop by and see the Quilting Hall of Fame Exhibit

• Indiana Arts
• Daily – 9AM

25. Check out the Championship Rodeo’s Slack Run

• Hoosier Lottery Grandstand
• 8/15 - 1PM

26. Watch woodworkers make chairs, toys, and more in Pioneer Village

• Pioneer Village
• Dates/times vary

27. Get involved in STEM & FFA interactive activities

• Normandy Barn
• Daily, 9AM - 9PM

28. NEW! Watch the Stilt Circus

• Around the Grounds
• Daily at 12PM & 4PM

29. Visit the Indiana State Fair Literacy Reading Garden

• MHS Family Fun Park
• Daily, 9 AM - 8PM

30. Attention!! Blood pressure check...?

• Free Blood Pressure Check
• 8/3, 9AM - 5PM

31. Witness Vintage Farm Machinery in Action

• Pioneer Village
• Daily, times vary

32. NEW! Pogo Fred

• Main Street
• Daily at 1PM, 3PM & 6PM

33. Indiana Lore & Tall Tales at the Indiana History Train

• MHS Family Fun Park
• Open daily 9AM - 8PM

34. Bike to the park and SAVE!

• Enjoy free bicycle parking and trim down on Fair admission costs by $1 cycling to the event.
• Tues. & Sat. 10AM - 11PM | Wed. - Fri. 10:30AM - 9:30PM

35. Let your kiddos design or color their very own quilt square

• Pioneer Village
• Dates/times vary

36. Visit Canstruction

• The Mercantile at Ag/Hort
• Daily, 9AM - 9PM

37. Indiana State Fair Tractor Pull

• Hoosier Lottery Grandstand
• 8/4 at 2PM

38. If you’re feeling brave, come see the Roving Naturalist

• DNR Building
• Daily, 11:30AM

39. See how butter is churned!

• Pioneer Village
• Dates/times vary

40. Find out the difference between a llama and an alpaca at the 4-H Llama and Alpaca Show

• Ball State University Champions Pavilion
• 8/2 at 8AM

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41. Learn about the History of Quilts in America

• Pioneer Village
• Dates and times vary

42. NEW! Watch the Cheeseball Contest

• Indiana Arts Building
• 8/17 - 12PM

43. Check out the Ole Time Farm Auction

• Pioneer Village Opry House
• 8/17 at 10AM

44. Visit with the Indiana Honey Queen

• Pioneer Village
• 8/2 at 11:30AM

45. Watch and learn from the best at the Youth Talent Contest

• Purdue Extension Building
• 8/12 and 8/17 at 11AM & 4PM

46. Feel protected from the sun with the FREE sunscreen provided by the Fair!

• Indiana State Fair Information Booths pres. by Prairie Farms
• All Day

47. Love horses? Come see the 4-H Horse & Pony Western

• Indiana Farmers Coliseum
• 8/6 – 8AM

48. Toast of the Fair

• The Wine Garden pres. by Oliver Winery
• 8/9 at 5PM

49. Visit the Purdue Extension Design and Innovation Studio

• Normandy Barn
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

50. Architectural Trolley Tour

• DNR Building
• Dates and times vary

51. See what Indiana Birds of Prey are all about

• DNR Building
• Daily - 4:30PM

52. Check out the Hoosier Homestead Award Ceremony

• Pop Weaver Youth Pavilion
• 08/14 at 10AM & 1PM

53. Attend the Baton Twirling Contest

• Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion
• 8/18 - 9AM

54. Visit the Mural Derby

• The Backyard
• 7/31- 9AM

55. Cheer on your favorite horse & jockey at Grand Circuit Harness Racing featuring the Fox Stake

• Hoosier Lottery Grandstand
• 8/7 - 11AM

56. Visit the livestock and learn at the Children’s Barnyard

• Corteva Agriscience™ FFA Pavilion
• Daily, 9AM – 9PM

57. NEW! Check out the Pineapple Cupcake Contest

• Indiana Arts Building
• 8/17, 4PM

58. Fulfill your cravings at Taste from Indiana Farms featuring Indiana commodity groups

• Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion
• 8/8 – 8/11, 11AM – 6PM

59. See more animals with the Reptiles Rule! LIVE Reptile Program

• Dept. of Natural Resources Building
• Daily – 11AM

60. Dance around with the Circle City Sidewalk Stompers!

• Around the Grounds
• Daily, times vary

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61. Check out the fan favorite Eight Horse Hitch Draft Show presented by Indiana 811!

• Indiana Farmers Coliseum
• 8/9 at 6:30PM

62. Browse the merchandise and apparel at the new and improved Indiana State Fair gift shop locations

• The Mercantile at Ag/Hort & under the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand
• Daily, 9AM - 9PM

63. Watch the 4-H Cat Show

• Indiana Arts Building
• 8/2 at 11:30 AM

64. Take a stroll through The Mercantile (in Ag/Hort) and browse the various vendor booths

• The Mercantile at Ag/Hort
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

65. Watch a cake decorating demo

• Indiana Arts Buildings
• 8/11 & 8/18 at 1:30 & 2:30PM

66. Compete in the Watermelon Seed Catapulting Contest!

• Indiana Farmers Coliseum Lobby
• Daily at 3PM

67. Want to cool off? Come over to the TapRoom

• The TapRoom
• Daily – 12PM – 9PM

68. View historical artifacts and exhibits, along with old-time ice cream treats and an antique pharmacy

• Hook’s Museum & Soda Fountain
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

69. Tour the Speed Barns

• Sponsored by the Indiana Standardbred Association
• Daily at 10AM

70. Phototgraphy Awards Night

• Indiana Arts Building
• 8/8 at 6:30PM

71. Visit Indiana’s Urban Garden/Take-Out Garden and complete the scavenger hunt to receive a free garden kit to take home and plant!

• Greenhouse
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

72. NEW! Check out the Backyard Composting Demonstration!

• Pathway to Water Quality pres. by Indiana American Water
• 8/2 - 12PM

73. Come watch a variety of dancers and try to dance along

• Dance Stage
• Daily, times vary

74. Watch the Art of Wood Carving Demonstration

• Pioneer Village
• 8/3 & 8/11 - 10AM

75. Pathway to Water Quality Presented by Indiana American Water

• Pathway to Water Quality pres. by Indiana American Water
• Daily, 9AM - 9PM

76. Attend the Kid's Cookie Decorating Contest

• Indiana Arts Building
• 8/6 - 1PM

77. Get a photo for the ‘gram! Find 2024 Indiana State Fair Queen, Alexxys Standish, and get a picture with her!

• Around the grounds
• Daily, 9AM – 8PM

78. Come sit and relax in the Indiana State Fair Wine Garden presented by Oliver Winery

• The Mercantile at Ag/Hort
• Daily, 11AM – 9PM

79. Work and view an old thrasher farm machine and much more in Machinery Field

• Pioneer Village
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

80. USA Mullet Championships

• In front of Indiana Farmers Coliseum
• 8/11 - 3PM

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81. It would be baaaaad if you missed the 4-H Market Lamb Show

• Blue Ribbon Pavilion
• 8/3 - 8AM

82. Watch the Tractor Pull to see all the amazing tractors

• Hoosier Lottery Grandstand
• 8/4 – 2PM

83. Step back in time and browse the Country Market to get your shopping in!

• Corteva Agriscience™ FFA Pavilion
• Daily, 9AM - 9PM

84. See what all the farmers have to say with the Live Farmers Chat

• Glass Barn presented by the Indiana Soybean Farmers
• Daily at various times

85. You won’t want to miss the 4-H Grand Drive presented by Farm Credit MId-America

• Indiana Farmers Coliseum
• 8/4 - 6PM

86. Watch The Great American Duck Race

• MHS Family Fun Park
• Daily, 12PM, 2PM, 4PM, 4PM & 6:30PM. Saturday/Sunday, 10:30

87. Show your patriotism at the Daily Flag Raising Ceremony

• Pioneer Village
• Daily, 9AM

88. Walk around our Selfie Photo Trail

• Around the grounds
• Daily

89. You don't want to miss out on the Bubble Tower!

• Gate 12
• Daily, 9AM

90. NEW! Don't miss the Plein Air Paint-Out Judging!

• Indiana Arts Building
• 8/10 - 5PM

91. Check out the Indiana Young Farmers Association Exhibits

• Indiana Young Farmers Building
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

92. Attend the Indiana Liar’s Contest presented Storytelling Arts of Indiana

• Pioneer Village
• 8/9 - 6:30PM

93. Hear a variety of entertainment and music acts on the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage

• Hoosier Lottery Free Stage
• Daily, times vary

94. Check out the Indiana Grown Marketplace

• The Mercantile at Ag/Hort
• Daily, 9AM - 9PM

95. Get hungry and healthy with the Giant Vegetable Contest

• The Mercantile at Ag/Hort
• 8/10 – 11AM

96. See all of your favorite animals at the Petting Zoo

• Corteva Agriscience FFA Pavilion
• Daily, 9AM - 8PM

97. NEW! Check out the Bowfishing Demonstration!

• DNR Complex
• 8/9 & 8/17 - 2PM

98. Take a picture under the famous Midway sign and post it on social media for all your friends to see. Don’t forget to hashtag #indystatefair!

• Midway presented by Indiana 811
• Daily

99. Check out the 4-H Education Station

• 4-H Exhibit Hall
• Daily, 12PM

100. Cool off on a hot, summer day at the giant mist fans!

• Around the Grounds
• Daily