Coliseum Renovation receives Big Boost

The internal demolition of the Coliseum is now, essentially, complete!  All but the original ice floor has been removed from the 1939 structure, and that will get replaced, too, once the reconstruction process moves a little further along.  Scaffolding still covers the exterior north face of the building as workers prepare it for tuck pointing when the weather allows.

Progress on the New Arena – scheduled to open this August – continues as planned.  The entire roof has now been erected and work now focuses on the existing South Pavilion, which will adjoin the New Arena to allow easy access in and out for large animals and equipment.

As all this work continues, more good news comes in the form of federal dollars that have been approved for enhancing and beautifying the grounds near the Coliseum in what Project Manager Rich Trombley calls the Pedestrian Pathway project.  This $2 million project consists of five different parts that create a visitor-friendly route from the fairgrounds’ infield directly to the Coliseum.

The five portions of the Pedestrian Pathway include:

1. Plaza area in front of the Coliseum – enlarged to provide more gathering space and a convenient drop-off area.

2. Southern entrance to existing Walk Tunnel – a focal point for visitors exiting the Coliseum complete with signage, lighting and landscaping. 

3. Walk Tunnel – improved signage and lighting for easier navigation for visitors.

4. Northern entrance to existing Walk Tunnel – a focal point for visitors parking in the infield headed to the Coliseum complete with signage, lighting and ADA accessibility. 

5. Half-mile infield track – the existing all-weather stone horse-training surface will be relocated away from the northern entrance of the Walk Tunnel and toward the north side of the infield.  This will allow for proper ADA accessibility and eliminate potential horse/pedestrian accidents.

Thanks to the federal government’s Transportation Enhancement grant, just $400,000 will come from the Coliseum construction budget.  Full steam ahead – and it’s just January!

 

Submitted by Andy Klotz

Let there be light - in the Coliseum

If you haven’t been by the Coliseum lately, there’s plenty to see – even from the outside. Scaffolding has been erected across the entire north face of the building as it is prepared for the exterior restoration, which accounts for $3 million of the $63 million project. Workers will start cutting out mortar so the tuck pointing can begin as soon as weather conditions allow. The scaffolding will likely be in place until early next summer, but the quick pace of the project will allow it to be removed before next year’s State Fair … yeah!

To the south of the Coliseum, work continues on the New Arena, which has most of the steel columns that will support the roof already in place. As a reminder, this portion of the project is a $10 million chunk of the budget, and it will be ready for the 2013 State Fair.

As for the Coliseum itself, the interior demolition is progressing nicely. Project Manager Rich Trombley took members of the State Fair Commission on a tour of the facility Thursday and here’s what they learned…



You are now up-to-date on the most dynamic and important project in the history of the Indiana State Fairgrounds. We’ll have many more exciting updates to come!


Submitted by Andy Klotz

Coliseum renovation right on schedule

WOW! 

That’s about all that can be said about the dramatic changes already taking place inside and around the Pepsi Coliseum.  The renovation project is not even two months old, but the guts of the Coliseum are almost completely removed and digging has already begun on the foundation inside the building.

 

The most obvious difference inside is all the light that pours into the building now that most of the glass block windows have had the covering material scraped off of them.  It is now easy to imagine what it was like when the building originally opened back in 1939.

 

The New Arena is really taking shape now as well.  More than 268 tons of steel will be used in this area and much of it has already been erected.  Weather has been good to the construction schedule and everything is moving ahead.  We’ll keep you posted!

 

Submitted by Andy Klotz

State Fair director receives national recognition

Carol Porter of Haas & Wilkerson Insurance poses with State Fair Director Steve Patterson. 

Most folks like to kick back after work … maybe put their feet up and have a cold beverage or spend time on a favorite hobby.  Then there’s Steve Patterson.  Steve is one of the outstanding members of our State Fair Board, and he’s definitely not one to kick back and put his feet up – at least not for very long.

By day, Steve is a valuable member of the Indiana Farm Bureau insurance team.  By night and weekend, he is a fair “warrior” on the county, state and national level.

Steve has been participating and volunteering at fairs for most of his life.  Not only has he been serving tirelessly on the State Fair Board for a number of years, but he has also been on the board of the Hendricks County 4-H Fair since the early 1990s.  For the past three years, he has also been the director of administration for the Indiana Association of Fairs, Festivals and Events (INAFFE).  Maybe he just doesn’t know how to relax.

Regardless, the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) recognized Steve for his incredible contributions at its annual national convention last week by presenting him and four others across the country with the prestigious Heritage Award.  This award, presented by Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, goes to outstanding fair managers with at least 10 years of experience who receive less than $2,500 remuneration annually.

IAFE Chairman Gary Slater presents Steve Patterson with the Heritage Award at the national convention.

Internally, we’ve always known Steve to be an overachiever, and now the rest of the world knows, too.  Way to go, Steve!  And thanks for all you do!

 

Submitted by Andy Klotz

Visit the Indiana State Fair... in December?!

The Indiana State Fair, it’s an August tradition.  And a December tradition in the making!

This year, for the first time, the Indiana State Fair is a featured component of the Eiteljorg Museum’s popular holiday attraction, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure.

Jingle Rails is an elaborate “locomotive wonderland” featuring seven ultra-sized G-scale model trains traveling nearly 1,200 feet of track that winds through national parks of the American West and Indianapolis attractions like the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the Great Indiana State Fair!

It is really cool to see these wonderful model trains not just rolling down the tracks, but going in and out of tunnels and winding around treacherous mountain curves while passing scale-model versions of the Grand Canyon and Old Faithful.  The State Fair portion of the exhibit was added after visitors were asked last year what local attractions they would like to see.  Applied Imagination, the company that created the exhibit, did a masterful job in depicting the fair’s famous Midway arch, Coliseum and other elements.

 

As you can see, the detail is incredible… especially when you consider that all the structures are made of natural materials like sticks, nuts and moss.  It is one thing to see the photos, but it’s much more stimulating to experience it all right in front of you with the trains running and the geysers blowing.  There’s even a working waterfall! 

 

 

 

 

Jingle Rails is open every day through January 6, but if you can’t find time to make it downtown to see the exhibit in person, this quick video will have to suffice.  Happy Holidays!

 

 
Submitted by Andy Klotz

Cow Milking: Trap, Squeeze, Release, Repeat

Since it is the Year of Dairy Cows here at the State Fair, it only seemed appropriate for me to try my hand at milking a cow for the first time.  After watching the celebrity milking contest a few days ago, I became even more determined to make this happen.  So when the State Fair Queen invited me to join her on a cow-milking adventure, I jumped at the opportunity.  

Meet Elsie. Elsie is a Jersey cow born in 2005. I may be biased, but I think Elsie wins the prettiest cow award for the Livestock Nursery residents.  According to dairy farmer Jeff Jehn, Elsie thinks so too.

After Elsie and I got acquainted, I knelt down in the hay next to her and carefully listened to Jeff as he explained the hand-milking process to me. 

“Really, it’s only a matter of trapping the milk at the top with your thumb and index finger, squeezing down with the rest of your fingers, releasing and then repeat,” Jeff said.

Feeling a rush of confidence after his simple instructions, I crouched over, recited the “trap, squeeze, release, repeat” instructions and gave it a whirl.  When I saw the squirt of milk that my first try produced, I nearly squealed with excitement. 

My pride faded away after a minute of milking when I was humbled to see the measly amount of milk at the bottom of my pail.  Elsie can usually fill half a pail with milk, a feat that takes Jeff about 10 minutes to complete by hand and only five minutes with a machine. 

So even though this experience didn’t transform me into a professional dairy farmer, it was still exciting to learn a few tricks of the trade.  Fairgoers can give it a try too at Cowtown USA in the Family Fun Park. Interactive milking demonstrations begin at 9:30 a.m., 12:30, 3 and 6 p.m.

Old-Time Farm and Antique Auction

Pioneer Village is one aspect of the Indiana State Fair that makes it unique among other state fairs. Fairgoers can take a trip back in time and view antique tractors, participate in old-time farm chores, enjoy down-home music and entertainment and more.

Jim Beaty with the Purdue Agronomy Center for Research and Education helped oversee the Old-time Farm and Antique Auction, which takes place today. He said the money from the donated items that are auctioned goes directly to the Pioneer Village Restoration Fund, which helps "restore the most precious artifacts." The fund also receives about 10 percent of the proceeds from the consignment items that are auctioned.