Preview: @IndyStateFair

On a whim... or maybe in the midst of some daydreaming... I decided to jump online and see if the program was available for this year's Indiana State Fair.

And it was!!!

Anyone who has read my blog in August knows that I'm a Big Fan of the Fair.  If I could be there everyday, I would.  If I lived or worked closer, I'd make a point to swing by once a day.  I love the events, the atmosphere, the food, the fun - all of it.  I also find that I love spending a day taking pictures at the Fair - so much to see and do and take in and capture.

I've started a list of the things I am most excited about for the upcoming Indiana State Fair (Aug 2- Aug 18)...

• It's the Year of Popcorn!  Indiana is the nation's second largest producer of popcorn.  IN the program, I've already learned that it's a special kind of corn that is grown to make popcorn and that most corn fields you see are growing corn to feed livestock, not sweet corn or popcorn.
• Get Animated! in the Grand Hall on Main Street.  We loved our animation experiences at Disney and I am eager for this 8,000 sq ft exhibit to come to our Fair! 
• A new Kiddie Land Midway!  My kids had a blast discovering the Midway last year and I limited them to the kid size rides.  Now, it looks like the kid size rides will be in a separate area completely- which should help with avoiding the bigger, scarier rides.
• An outdoor ice show??  Rosstyn Ice Shows.  Outdoors, in August, on ice.  
• Sinbad High Dive Show.  No, not that Sinbad.  It's a slapstick group that does a high dive show.  I can't wait!
• World's Largest Popcorn Ball.  What else can I say?
• $2 Tuesdays.  This was a new idea just a few years ago and it caught on!  Midway rides are $2, certain vendors will offer $2 portions of food, and you can get in to the Fair for $2 with a voucher from Turkey Hill!
• There is also Foodie Friday - which I think might be new this year - on Fri, Aug 16.  All concessionaires will be offering an item at half price!
• And all my old regulars - visiting the Dairy Bar for chocolate milk and grilled cheese, walking the Expo Hall and shopping and searching out freebies, enjoying the "local art museum" of the Home & Family Arts Building, catching a cooking demo and shopping in the general store in the DuPont Food Pavilion, hearing some bluegrass in Pioneer Village, watching local clogging groups on the Dance Stage (new location this year - up by Gate 12 instead of Gate 6), observing the fish in the DNR building, feeding the goats at Goat Mountain, and so much more!!

I'm thinking of at least 3 visits this year - the Monday before school starts with the kids, a Tuesday so I can hit $2 Tuesday, and maybe Foodie Friday.  If I could - I would seriously take 3 days off in a row for the Fair but I don't think I can make it work.  But Monday the 12th for Kids Day on the Midway ($15 wristbands), $2 Tuesday the 13th and Farmers Day with the Indiana Farm Bureau FFA Pancake breakfast on the 14th (the first day of school for my kids - a BIG day).... those would be my ideal day to go!!

What are you excited for this year with the State Fair?  What about the Fair or a similar event where you live?