100 free things to do at the Indiana State Fair in 2022
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned vet, the Indiana State Fair is bringing the #FamilyFun with something for everyone. The best part? You can enjoy unique exhibits, hands-on activities, and even take in a variety of shows all for free.
Dive into this list of 100 freebies, courtesy of our friends at the Indiana State Fair!
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
7/30 - Sunrise
5. Watch the Indiana State Fair Parade
Main Street
Daily, 1PM on Thursdays & Saturdays, 6:30PM - 7PM all other days
6. NEW! Watch the Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show
MHS Family Fun Park
8/3- 8/22: 12PM, 3PM and 5:30PM
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. Hop to Animal Town to find rabbits & baby bunnies, along with hatching chicks
Animal Town (MHS Family Fun Park) & Momma Town (Expo Hall)
Daily, 9AM - 8PM
11. NEW! Abate of Indiana's Children's Motorcycle Adventure
Gate 12
August 13 & 14, August 20 & 21, from 2PM- 8PM
12. Kiddos getting restless? Take them to the NEW Bubble Tower
MHS Family Fun Park
Daily, 9AM-8PM
13. Take a self-guided trail around the Fairgrounds: Pick up maps for The Wonder Trail at Animal Town or any State Fair Information Booth presented by Prairie Farms
Around the Grounds
Daily, 9AM - 8PM
14. Tour the Indiana History Train presented by the 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 CollegeChoice 529 Savings Plans
MHS Family Fun Park
Daily, 9AM - 8PM
16. NEW! The Flying Fools High Dive Show
Main Street
Daily, 12:30PM, 2:30PM, 5PM & 7PM
17. Meet Johnny Appleseed!
Pioneer Village
7/30 & 8/6 - 10:30AM
18. Meet the Indiana State Fair Queen, Alyssa McKillip, at Introduction to Royalty: Our Indiana County Fair Queens!
Pioneer Village Opry House
8/14 - 5:00PM
19. Marvel at the giant cheese sculpture sculpted by Sarah Kaufmann “The Cheese Lady” and presented by American Dairy Association Indiana Inc.
Ag/Hort Shopping District
Daily, 9AM - 9PM
20. Watch the 1926 Model T Rapid Assembly
Enough Plaza
7/30 & 7/31- Times vary
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
7/31 – 2PM
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
8/18 - 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 - 8PM
28. Play corn hole or do a scavenger hunt to win a prize
Farm Bureau Building
Daily, 9AM - 8PM
29. NEW! Visit the IDOE Literacy Reading Garden
MHS Family Fun Park
Daily, 9 AM - 8PM
30. See your favorite local celebrities at the Celebrity Milking Competition
MHS Family Fun Park
8/17 - 11:30AM
31. Witness Vintage Farm Machinery in Action
Pioneer Village
Daily, times vary
32. Join us for the kick-off to the 2022 Fair at the Opening Ceremonies
Farm Bureau Building Parking Lot (The Backyard)
7/29 - 8:30AM
33. Visit the Indy Landmarks Hoosier's Auto History Display
World of Speed presented by Subaru of Indiana Automotive
Daily, 9AM - 9PM
34. NEW! IMS Museum presents: Traditions
Farm Bureau Building
Daily
35. Let your kiddos design or color their very own quilt square
Pioneer Village
Dates/times vary
36. Visit Canstruction
Ag/Hort Shopping District
Daily, 9AM - 9PM
MORE FAIR TIPS: How to save money at the Indiana State Fair
37. Watch the POWERFUL Mighty Mike Show
Main Street
Daily, 1PM, 3:30PM & 6PM
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
Champions Pavilion
7/29 – 8AM
41. Learn about the History of Quilts in America
Pioneer Village
Dates and times vary
42. Watch the Chocolate Cupcake Contest
Indiana Arts Building
8/17 - 3PM
43. Watch the Backyard Garden Open Show
Indiana Arts Building
8/14 - 12PM
44. Get a new look at livestock with the Mule & Donkey Performance
Indiana Farmers Coliseum
7/30 – 9AM
45. Watch and learn from the best at the Youth Talent Contest
Dance Stage
Dates/times vary
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 Contesting
Indiana Farmers Coliseum
7/29 – 9AM
48. NEW! Come visit Momma Town
Expo Hall
Daily, 9AM - 8PM
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. NEW! Inflate-O-Rama
Gate 12
8/29 & 8/30
53. Attend the Baton Twirling Contest
Expo Hall
8/19 - 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
8/10 - 11AM
56. Visit the livestock and learn at the Children’s Barnyard
Corteva Agriscience™ FFA Pavilion
Daily, 9AM – 9PM
57. Visit the King Arthur Baking company Youth Cookie Contest
Indiana ArtsBuilding
8/6, 2:30PM
58. Fulfill your cravings at Taste from Indiana Farms featuring Indiana commodity groups
Indiana Arts Building
8/17 – 8/20, 11AM – 6PM
59. See more animals with the Reptiles Rule! LIVE Reptile Program
Dept. of Natural Resources Building
Daily – 10AM
60. NEW! Speed: Science of Motion Exhibit
World of Speed presented by Subaru of Indiana Automotive
Daily, 9AM - 9PM
61. Let's Talk Livestock
MHS Family Fun Park
Daily, 1, 3, 5, & 7PM
READY TO GO? Plan your Indiana State Fair visit.
62. Browse the merchandise and apparel at the new and improved Indiana State Fair gift shop locations
Ag/Hort Shopping District & under the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand
Daily, 9AM - 9PM
63. Watch the 4-H Cat Show
Expo Hall
7/31- 12PM
64. Take a stroll through Hoosier Lottery Expo Hall and browse the various vendor booths
Ag/Hort Shopping District
Daily, 9AM - 9PM
65. Watch a cake decorating demo
Indiana Arts Buildings
8/7 – 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 & 4:30PM
66. Come out to see the Indiana Fashion Foundation Marketplace
Indiana Arts
Dates/Times Vary
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
8/17 &8/18 - 10AM
70. Visit Chuck Taylor and Indiana Basketball at the Indiana History Train
MHS Family Fun Park
8/17: 9AM -8PM
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. Come on down to watch the Spelling Bee
The Backyard stage presented by Universal Windows Direct
8/20- 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 - 8/20, 9AM
75. Pathway to Water Quality Presented by Indiana American Water
Pathway to Water Quality
Daily, 9AM - 9PM
76. Attend the Kid's Cookie Decorating Contest
Indiana Arts Building
8/20 – 10AM - 2:45PM
77. Get a photo for the ‘gram! Find 2022 Indiana State Fair Queen, Alyssa McKillip, 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 Indiana Grown
Ag/Hort Shopping District
Daily, 11AM – 9PM
79. Work and view an old thrasher farm machine and much more in Machinery Field
Pioneer Village
Daily, 9AM - 8PM
80. NEW! USA Mullet Championships
In front of Indiana Farmers Coliseum
7/30 - 2PM
81. It would be baaad if you missed the 4-H Market Lamb Show
Blue Ribbon Pavilion
8/5 - 8AM
82. Watch the Pedal Tractor Pull to see all the amazing tractors
Hoosier Lottery Grandstand
7/30 – 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, 2:30PM
85. You won’t want to miss the Indiana Livestock Hall of Fame & 4-H Grand Drive presented by Farm Credit Mid-America
Indiana Farmers Coliseum
8/7- 7PM
86. Visit the State Fair Cinema, presented by Pluto TV
World of Wheels pres. by Subaru of Indiana Automotive
Daily, 9AM - PM
LOOKING FOR MORE? Find the full calendar of events at the Indiana State Fair here.
87. Show your patriotism at the Daily Flag Raising Ceremony
Pioneer Village
Daily, 9AM
88. NEW! Walk around our Selfie Photo Trail
Around the grounds
Daily
89. Stay safe, and wash your hands! Visit one of our hand-sanitizing stations or restrooms
Around the Grounds
Daily
90. Come learn more about beef and dairy cattle
Animal Town and Pioneer Village
Daily, 9AM - 8PM
91. Check out the Indiana Young Farmers Association Exhibits
Indiana Young Farmers Building
Daily, 9AM - 8PM
92. Attend the Liar’s Contest presented Storytelling Arts of Indiana
Pioneer Village
8/5 - 7PM
93. Hear a variety of entertainment and music acts on the Free Stage
Free Stage
Daily, times vary
94. Check out the Indiana Grown Marketplace
Ag/Hort Shopping District
Daily, 9AM - 9PM
95. Get hungry and healthy with the Giant Vegetable Contest
Ag/Hort Shopping District
8/13 – 11AM
96. See all of your favorite animals at the Petting Zoo
Corteva Agriscience FFA Pavilion
Daily, 9AM - 8PM
97. Watch hot air balloons light up the sky at PNC Bank's Hot Air Balloon Night Glow!
Hoosier Lottery Grandstand
7/29 - 9PM
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
7/31 - 10AM
100. Cool off on a hot, summer day at the giant mist fans!
Around the Grounds
Daily
