Indiana State Fair -- a Young Person's Perspective

Recently, my 11 year-old niece was given a school assignment to “create a brochure about something they know a lot about.” I was giddy to hear Laira had chosen the Indiana State Fair, excited to read how she saw the event and interested in what about it was important to her.

My sister emailed it to me: a tri-fold, six-panel, A+ marketing piece complete with clip art and copy written entirely by a 5th grade student. Three panels consisted of the basics: address, phone number, website, dates, ticket price and the all-important testimonials from classmates singing the praises of our Indiana State Fair.

Inside are some of the most enticing marketing promos I’ve ever read:


“The Ride are very fun, we have a water ride, big slides, roller coasters, just about everything. Sometimes we have the Mummy that one makes my stomach go crazy. The Rides do cost money you can get tickets. So those are The Rides hope you enjoy!”

“There are 4-H animals and 4-H exhibits. If you get a sign at your own fair that says you’re going to the State Fair that means you have to make your exhibit again and take it to the State Fair and we will judge it there. Then your animals, you can choose to take them if you want. The first week of the fair is 4-H week.”

“The Indiana State Fair is a place that you can see some really famous people. The best part is the tickets are only up to $20 per person. (Note: Aunt Bobbi was not consulted regarding these ticket prices.) Not like other places where it is $100 for one person. Some people that have been here are Raven, Carrie Underwood, Demi Lovato, Rascal Flatts, Rodney Atkins, Corbin Bleu, Kelly Clarkson, and Jason Aldean. Lots of very famous people. You should come by and see who is coming in 2010. Check it out it’s really fun!”

“Now you are probably wondering what the main theme is of the fair. Well every year we have a Year of the… One year as the Year of the Corn, and once year was the Year of the Big Tree, and last year was the Year of Tomatoes. It’s really fun to go into the mane gift shop and see everything we have.” (Obviously, this piece was created prior to our 2010 featured agriculture product announcement. Once again, the Gift Shop will be decked out…this time highlighting the “Year of Pigs”.)

“The Petting Zoo is more for little kids. We some years have a circus, we had Acrobats come last year in 2009, and there are animals. We have had Dora the Explorer come visit, and we have an Alligator show every other year. It is a really good spot at the fair to take your younger kids too. Oh yeah and a big hit is the pony rides! A lot of the kids love the ponys.” (Those in the know will recognize this description of the Riley Fun Park.)

“The Pepsi Stadium is where the 4-H animals are shown. We have the Queen Contest in the Pepsi Stadium, and the horses are shown there as well. Sometimes people go in there just to sit and get cooled off. It is one of the biggest buildings at the fair. So it’s just a little idea of where and what the Pepsi Stadium is.” (Yea…she mentioned the Queen Pageant! Apologies to Pepsi-Cola and our sponsorship contract that states the building be referred to as the Pepsi Coliseum.)

If those don’t make you want to visit the Indiana State Fair, nothing will. There’s something for everyone: crazy rides, fun gift shop merchandise celebrating pigs, champion 4-H exhibits, a good spot for younger kids, and really famous people! What does the Indiana State Fair offer to you?

Submitted by Bobbi Bates