Indiana State Fair 2024: Know before you go
Author’s Note: I LOVE the State Fair. Several years ago, there was a train that transported fairgoers from Fishers to the fairgrounds, and every August, my co-workers would hear me excitedly announce, “The train! The train! Here comes the train!” as it whistled past our office on its way. Those tracks have since closed down, but my heart still races with the same excitement when fair season arrives.
There is so much to see and do (and eat!) at the State Fair. From money-saving tricks, to can’t-miss attractions, to what’s new for this year, here’s a rundown of how to make the most of your trip.
Tickets and Parking
First things first: how to get in on the action! There are a few things to keep in mind.
The fair runs from August 2-18 (closed Mondays) with the gates opening daily at 9:00 am. Closing times vary, but tickets can’t be purchased after 8:00 pm.
Consider purchasing advance discount tickets and parking to save 20-30%, though processing fees are added to online purchases. Purchases must be made by the end of day August 1. New this year is the Foodie Family 4 Pack, which includes a parking pass, 4 admission tickets, and $50 in Fair Bucks.
Children 5 and under are always free!
$2 Tuesdays have returned after a brief hiatus! Take advantage of $2 entry as well as $2 midway rides and $2 food deals.
Check out some additional deals on admission tickets and more.
Details about parking and directions can be found here. Depending on when you visit and if you don’t mind a short walk, you may be able to snag free street parking in a surrounding neighborhood. IndyGo can also get you where you need to be via bus, or save $1 off gate admission if you bike to the fair (available select days and times).
Make a Plan
As soon as you walk through the gates, you’ll want to grab a program highlighting all of the daily and one-time events. If it’s your first visit, save time by taking a look before you go and also familiarizing yourself with the State Fair map.
The fairgrounds are huge, so plan your day to avoid criss-crossing the venue–there’s nothing worse than a hot, hangry kid and no corn dog for miles!
Don’t forget once you’re inside that you can take advantage of the free tractor shuttles that make several stops around the perimeter of the fairgrounds, and also make note of the entrances to the ADA accessible tunnel that cuts across the center of the fair. A stroller or a wagon is a must-have if you’re toting littles.
BE SURE TO CHECK THIS OUT:
Can’t-Miss FREE Attractions
The north end of the fair boasts a ton of free, kid-friendly activities. There are too many to list, but here are a few worth checking out:
Little Hands on the Farm - a mock farm set-up where kids can role play, completing their “chores” like planting peppers, harvesting apples, and scooping cow patties in order to earn their wage (which can then be traded in for a healthy snack!).
Pioneer Village and Machinery Yard - There’s a lot happening here depending on the day, but make sure to taste a free sample of maple syrup and sit on a giant tractor or two.
Glass Barn - If you’ve ever wondered where everyone walking around the fair got those snazzy trucker hats, it’s the Glass Barn! Among other interactive activities here, take a minute to complete a scavenger hunt to learn about Indiana farming and earn a fashionable souvenir.
FFA Pavilion - Here’s where you’ll find a great mini golf set-up as well as a bustling playground area. It’s easy to pass quite a bit of time here, and there are some fun things to explore next door in the Indiana Young Farmers Building too.
DNR Building and Fishing Pond - Inside the building (which is air conditioned!) you’ll find interactive, educational displays, and there are usually some DNR employees giving kids a chance to safely try out BB guns or archery. Out back is where your kids (ages 5 to 17) can sign up to fish in the DNR pond with help from volunteers, making it a perfect photo opp when they reel one in! Tip: Arrive at least a few minutes before the start of the session to ensure availability.
A few other lesser known spots to check out include the Pathway to Water Quality (it’s shaded!) where you can learn about Indiana’s waterways, the Normandy Barn (we’ve found some fun STEM activities here in the past), and the Purdue Extension Building (there’s typically an interactive play set-up in here).
The south end of the fair is where you’ll find the many barns and buildings serving as a temporary home to 4-H livestock: ducks, rabbits, sheep, pigs, cattle, and horses to name a few.
The animals come and go throughout the fair, so check the schedule to avoid missing your favorite. It’s worth a walk through some of the other buildings on this side of the fair too, like the Indiana Arts Building and the Mercantile in the Ag/Hort Building.
Find even more ways to spend your time at the fair within this list of 100 free things to do.
Taste of the Fair
The south end of the fair (Main Street) is also where to find the majority of food vendors, but if you don’t want to miss some of the new must-try items, you can find the full list here. As usual, these specialty concoctions are both weird (Dill Pickle Dr. Pepper and Sun King’s State Fair Pickle Beer, oh my) and wonderful (Cotton Candy Margarita, what?!), and you get to decide which is which!
I personally won’t be able to choose between the Sweet Chili Suga Daddy Sub and the Fried Sugar Biscuit n’ BBQ with Apple Butter Sauce, so I’ll probably get both. The Blue Ribbon Blueberry Milkshake and Cookie Butter Elephant Ear are on my list too. Don’t forget about $2 Tuesday where vendors offer discounted or snack sized food items, and also new this year is a $5 Value Menu.
Midway Rides
If you have money left after tasting all of the food, maybe rides are your thing! You can find them on both the west (Midway) and east (Kiddie Land Midway) sides of the fairgrounds. Ride tickets cost $.50 each, and each ride requires 9 to 15 tickets, which can add up really quickly.
Save some money with $2 rides, available on $2 Tuesday, or wristbands for unlimited riding can be purchased onsite for $40 or for only $25 here (must be purchased by August 3). Don’t miss the double decker carousel; it’s a thing of beauty!
Note: Wristbands are valid on select days only, so pay attention when purchasing. Wristbands are NOT valid for the Skyride, and tickets for this attraction must be purchased onsite.
Live Entertainment
Sit back, relax, and enjoy some live entertainment while at the fair:
Daily FREE entertainment at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage.
From the tractor pull, to the demolition derby, to the rodeo, purchase tickets to see it all at the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand.
Camps
It’s no surprise that a main focus of the fair is education, whether it’s learning about farming, animal care, or Indiana history. But did you know that the Indiana State Fair has a couple of day camp opportunities?
Last year’s fair theme incorporated Indiana’s love of basketball, and this year 7-15 year olds can sign up to participate in a 1 hour Basketball Clinic presented by the City League. And if animals are your thing and you’re going into grades 6-12, don’t miss Vet Camp hosted by Purdue University College of Vet Medicine, a two hour experience with a pretty amazing itinerary. Space is limited for both opportunities!
New for 2024
In case you still have time to fill during your visit to the fair, don’t forget to check out
what's new this year. Some highlights to note:
Celebrate The Beatles by commemorating the 60th anniversary of their shows at the fairgrounds.
This year’s fair theme is The Art & Nature of Fun, and art lovers won’t want to miss Artscape! at the Harvest Pavilion and Illuminate! in The Backyard.
Momma Town has come to the Mac Reynolds Barn and we can’t wait to squeeze those baby animals (Not really…we promise we won’t squeeze them…too much).
Guinness World Record holder Pogo Fred comes to the fair with three showtimes daily! Find him on Main Street next to the Kiddie Land Midway.
Cheer your favorite to the championship in the Great American Duck Race, multiple times daily in the MHS Family Fun Park.
