Great Indiana State Fair: 17 days packed with fun

There’s a reason to come to all 17 days of the 2012 Indiana State Fair! We understand that you probably can’t do that, but no matter what days you choose to join us, we know you can find lots of ways to enjoy this great Hoosier tradition.

This year the State Fair is offering more entertainment than ever before, including loads of daily activities, shows and exhibits. There are plenty of ways to enjoy time with your family and make some memories, and best of all, you can do it on a budget! Many of these attractions are FREE with gate admission.

Now I am a dog-lover, so I am looking forward to seeing the SuperDogs. This is more than your average dog show because it is a cross between a theatrical Broadway show and a competitive sporting event. The dogs are performers, capable of making an audience laugh with their antics, and they are also athletes, able to run, jump and retrieve. A couple of the featured dogs are Slinger, a Rottweiler who is a master at card tricks, and Leap, an Ibizan Hound who is the world record-holder as the highest jumping dog, clearing almost 6 feet. You’re sure to have a ‘doggone’ good time at this show!

Here's an excerpt from one of their shows, "Woof Rock 'n Roll":

Did you know Indiana and Italy have cultural ties? You can learn all about it in the Ciao Italia exhibit that will be open daily in the International Pavilion. There is so much to do in this exhibit: listen to Italian opera, get an up-close look at the new IndyCar, relax in a Venetian plaza, see a marionette show and much more. I’m personally excited to test my skills at Bocce ball.

This year our Artist in Residence is Harold Lee Miller, and he is a master at capturing the personality of fairs. Miller’s pictures vibrantly tell the story of fairs from livestock shows to fair food to princess contests. The photos feature the young and the old and express the joy, intensity and passion of fair participants and spectators alike. You can check out his exhibit in the Normandy Barn daily from 1 to 9 p.m.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Your family can also go on the Wonder Trail together, gather answers to the questions and earn a prize. You can check out daily concerts and shows at the Free Stage like REO Speedwagon, Easton Corbin, The Ohmies and David Crowder. You can interact with farm animals in the Livestock Nursery. You can see the Daily Parade as it goes down Main Street. The list goes on and on!

There is truly something for everyone to enjoy at the Indiana State Fair. Click here to view our Daily Highlights calendar.