Indiana State Fair back with new offerings and installations

The Indiana State Fair starts this weekend, with new offerings in store for visitors. Some of the more permanent installations on the fairgrounds include a new basketball court and a splash pad. 

This year’s fair theme is the “Art and Nature of Fun.” Newfields VP of Marketing and External Affairs Johnathan Berger said the museum partnered with the fair to create a number of art-themed experiences and exhibits.

“As soon as you walk in you’re going to see our floral displays and activities and art making that are based around art and nature,” Berger said.

On Saturday the fair will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Beatles performance at the fairgrounds with a day of themed activities and food. 

Every year the fair highlights new food options. Leroy Lewis III is director of community and media engagement with the fair. He said they see many of the same concession companies enter the annual competition.

“It’s great to see all of our vendors top themselves year after year with creative foods that they can bring to the fair,” Lewis said.

There are 46 new food offerings for Taste of the Fair this year. Options range from pickle beer to the bratzilla. People can vote for their favorite throughout the run of the fair, which ends August 18.

Gidget Hall runs R&W Concessions and has been at the Indiana State Fair for 15 years. This year she’s serving up lemonade and Dr. Pepper, both with a splash of pickle juice.

“Because pickles are big and I try to incorporate stuff I have in my trailer, and this is what I came up with this year,” Hall said.

Other new fair activities and events include duck races and baby animal feeding.