Top 12 Things to Do at the Great Indiana State Fair

The 2017 Indiana State Fair celebrates the Wonderful World of Food. Between the numerous food options and attractions, it can be hard to decide where to spend your time. Check out the top 12 things to do at the 2017 Indiana State Fair! 

               

Top 12 Things to Do at the Great Indiana State Fair

12. Be Happy and Healthy

This year, Purdue Extension looks to the future with a series of exhibits focused on helping people make easy, everyday choices to develop healthier bodies and stronger communities. The exhibits are: Be Heart Smart; Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces; Indiana Soundscapes; Indiana’s Climate Crossroads; and Where Food Waste Goes.

11.  Quality over Quantity

Managed by the Indiana Conservation Partnership, Pathway to Water Quality will feature a model watershed that explains how land “sheds” excess water and what that means for Hoosier. The exhibit contains practical displays and information for anyone who uses the land.

10.  Get Cooking

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is hosting an Indiana Grown Culinary Competition, where competitors will create dishes using a variety of Indiana Grown products for a cash prize. The Indiana FFA Country Market also sells all Indiana Grown products that can be used for favorite recipes.

9.  What’s the Beef

Indiana Beef Cattle Association’s featured food for 2017 is the Cattlemen’s Choice Sandwich. This pairs a USDA Choice Boneless Hoosier Ribeye Steak and hardwood smoked beef brisket. After grilling, the Hoosier Ribeye Steak is topped with smoked brisket and piled high on a bun ready for the condiment of choice.

8. Eat Up

Enjoy Indiana Farm Bureau’s Taste from Indiana Farms event (Aug. 15-17),  where fairgoers can sample Indiana commodities of all kinds!

7. Take the ride of your life

Enjoy the rides at the midway which are powered entirely by Soy Biodiesel. Indiana Farmers feed you and fuel your fun!

6. Don’t Chicken Out

Rose Acres Farm is hosting daily activities for children and adults to learn more about agriculture, including agricultural trivia and baby chicks on display each weekend. There will also be several food demonstrations hosted by Rose Acres during the second week of the fair.

5. Go Hog Wild

Indiana Pork Farmers will welcome guests to three pork tents located in front of the Swine Barn, the Cattle Barn and near Pioneer Village. Guests can enjoy pork burgers, chops, loins and this year’s new item — the Peanut Butter Pineapple Pork Burger.

4.Enjoy the Little Things

This year, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council is sponsoring Little Hands on the Farm, an interactive mock farm where children “harvest” products, receive “money” for their work and even buy food at the mock grocery store.

3. Have a Dairy Good Time

The American Dairy Association of Indiana is featuring a Root Beer Float Shake and their signature sandwich, The Mousetrap. The Mousetrap grilled cheese is on Texas toast with Havarti, Colby-jack and Cheddar cheeses. Trying these items will certainly make for a dairy good time.

2. See the World From a New Lens

This year, the Indiana Soybean Alliance will offer new virtual reality glasses where attendees can see the look of a modern swine farm. The Glass Barn also offers daily farmer chats at 11 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. where you can chat live with Indiana Farmers and ask them about their daily practices.

1. Hit the Trail

Indiana Family of Farmers’ recipe trail has seven locations where those participating can stop to collect recipe cards. At each stop, fair-goers have the opportunity to learn new information about Indiana agriculture. Participants can visit any of the Indiana State Fair information booths with all seven recipes to receive a small prize for participating.