Concerts Galore at this year’s State Fair!

Maybe you’ve heard about the headline concerts coming to this year’s State Fair. The four-show line-up consists of some big-name acts, most of whom are household names with millions of album sales to their credits. They are:

Barry Manilow  - Aug. 3, 7:30 p.m.                    

Train  - Aug. 4, 7 p.m.

Journey with Pat Benatar and Loverboy -Aug. 8,
7 p.m.                

Blake Shelton -
Aug. 17, 7 p.m.

Of course, these shows aren’t exactly coming to the fair, but they’re being put on by the fair at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indy about 10 minutes away from the fairgrounds. They are being held downtown because the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand is no longer being used for concerts and because we won’t have the Pepsi Coliseum renovation completed until 2014 (it starts this fall).

Still, the fairgrounds will be full of incredible entertainers throughout its 17-day run in August. In fact, the Free Stage is absolutely packed with well known performers! Check out this line-up:

Aug. 3 – Michael Jackson Tribute Show

Aug. 4 – Allstar Weekend

Aug. 5 – Hispanic Music Day

Aug. 6 – REO Speedwagon

Aug. 7 - Youg Guns of Country pres. by HANK FM

Aug. 8 – Easton Corbin

Aug. 11 – Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Aug. 11 – Action Item

Aug. 12 - The Ohmies

Aug. 12 – Contemporary Christian Music Day featuring Sanctus Real

Aug. 13 - The Ohmies

Aug. 13 – MC Hammer

Aug. 14 – Sandi Patty

Aug. 14 – David Crowder

Aug. 16 – Ted Nugent

Aug. 17 – Beatles Tribute Band

Aug. 18 – Texaco Country Music Showdown

Aug. 18 - Casey James pres. by WFMS

Aug. 19 – Pepsi Gospel Music Day

Wow - that’s more music than we’ve ever had before! And the best part is that it’s all FREE! Once you’re through the gates, just grab a corndog and a seat. You’ll be tappin’ your toes all fair long!

 
Submitted by Andy Klotz

Douglas David Paints "Farm to Fair"

The more I get to know Indiana artist Douglas David, the more I am impressed with his passion, talent and dedication.

He has won numerous awards for his paintings from Indiana Arts Commission, Lilly Endowment, Hoosier Salon and the Kokomo Art Association and his work has hung at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Richmond Museum of Art.

I was especially impressed with the discovery that Douglas David's artwork had been used as Indiana's license plate.

Douglas's design for the 2003-2008 Indiana license plate beat out 1400 entries and was chosen by popular vote to grace Indiana vehicles for five years..impressive!



Now, Douglas will put on a one-man show entitled "Farm to Fair," for the 2011 Indiana State Fair. Douglas's show will feature 60 of his amazing paintings, which all have been created exclusively for the fair. And let me tell you, each and every painting is fabulous.

Douglas began painting for this show on March 1st and hasn't stopped since. He is currently wrapping up his last few paintings and is thrilled about the upcoming show.



“I am excited to show almost a million people my interpretation of the fair,” said artist Douglas David. “My art will be important to people simply because they are Hoosiers.”

The show will be hung in the upper level of the magnificent Normandy Barn and will be open for all seventeen days of the fair.

What Better Way to kick off the Year of Soybeans than with Food!

It’s that time again. Time to start thinking about this year’s fair and all that comes with it. That includes all the tasty food! Today was the Indiana State Fair Signature Food Contest, and I was lucky enough to be there to watch and even taste. Since this year is putting Soybeans in the spotlight, each food entry utilized soybeans in different ways. From the feed fed to the cattle, tofu and soybean oil, it was a great way to showcase the versatility of the bean.

The contest started with the first round of judging from a panel that included First Lady Cheri Daniels, Indiana State Fair Queen Sara Alford and others who taste tested each and gave their input. From there, the fate of the winner is put in the hands of readers of the Indianapolis Star. It is there you can read up on all 5 of the entries and go vote for your favorite.

Look for the story and for voting to begin June 17 and you can continue to vote up until July 1. The winner – announced July8 – is named THE food of the fair will get bragging rights as well as a prime vending spot of Main Street during the fair!

Submitted by Julie Woodward

2011: The Year of Soybeans

Are you on a high-protein diet? Then you're going to love the 2011 Indiana State Fair! After much contemplation and occasional discussions with the State Department of Agriculture, we are ready to celebrate soybeans and all that they mean to our state.

Soybeans produce at least twice as much protein per acre as any other major vegetable or grain crop, and soybean meal is the main food source for cows, chickens, pigs and fish, which means you are probably taking in soybeans in some form every day. And those yummy cakes, cookies and pies we all love... well, they required vegetable oil - soybean oil - in order to become yummy. So let's give it up for soybeans!

We're looking forward to working with the Indiana Soybean Alliance to promote soybeans at the fair. We are still brainstorming all the fun ways we'll incorporate this important legume into the fair, but you can count on getting lots of facts, such as:

• Indiana ranks 3rd in the U.S. in soybean processing


• Indiana ranks 4th in the U.S. in soybean production


• Hoosier farmers produce 244 million bushels of soybeans each year


• The soybean industry contributes $2.5 billion to the state's economy

In case you weren't aware, our midway rides and tractor shuttles have been operating on soy biodiesel fuel for years, so soybeans aren't just about food production. And if you don't think soybeans can be fun, maybe you've never run into Bennie the Bean roaming around the Pioneer Our Land Pavilion. He's a fun bean.

Submitted by Andy Klotz

Home is where the heart is

There's the old adage "home is where the heart is," and that, perhaps, is none more so true than with Tamika Allen, who got the keys to her first house on Friday.

But this wasn't any home build -- throughout the past three months, Habitat for Humanity spearheaded an effort to get hundreds of volunteers from several organizations to help build the Allen family a home.

Furthermore, volunteers helped assemble and paint the home here at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, just east of the DNR complex. The house will then be moved Sept. 14 to its new home off Bellafontaine Street in Indianapolis. Habitat officials said this is only the second time that any chapter throughout the nation has built a home not on its final location.

Even though Tamika has her keys, she'll have plenty of entertaining to do in the next 2-1/2 days: The house is open through Sunday for all fairgoers to walk through.

"It's been a long year, but I've finally made it today," Tamika said outside her new house.

It was a heck of a housewarming. Boomer from the Indiana Pacers, as well as reps from various sponsors, such as Kroger, Dow AgroSciences and the Indiana State Fairgrounds, stopped by to drop off presents and share stories about the build.

"It was a very challenging and ambitious schedule," said Dean Illingworth, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis. "The heat didn't slow us down. In fact, there was one day we were ahead of schedule."

Welcome home, Tamika.


Submitted by Kristofer Karol

Barn-naming honors Pioneer Village founder

Since he founded Pioneer Village almost 50 years ago, Mauri Williamson has worked to preserve and present history to visitors in the small collection of old west buildings, antiques and farm machinery at the Indiana State Fair.

On Wednesday, Mauri became a part of that history when fair officials renamed the Pin-Framed Barn the "Williamson Pin-Frame Barn" during a special ceremony.

Fair officials kept the unveiling a secret and teased Mauri telling him they wanted to give him something that would last for a long time. Mauri, still with his signature sense of humor, quipped, "A car?" No, Mauri, not a car, but something that will likely last even longer -- his name on a building in Pioneer Village, one of the most popular attractions at the Indiana State Fair.

Pioneer Village began in 1961 as a simple collection of antique tools and has since grown to include an opry house, several vendors selling old-time goods like pottery and grain and many other attractions.

Below are a couple more photos from today's festivities:

Dozens greeted Mauri at the barn-naming on Wednesday. Mauri is positioned on the mid-right bottom of the photo in a red shirt and overalls.





From left to right: Indiana State Fair Commission Executive Director Cindy Hoye, Mauri Williamson and Indiana State Fair Queen Denae Pyle laugh it up during the unveiling.





Caption for photo at top of story: Are we at the "God Bless America" sculpture in Dow AgroSciences Celebration Park or Pioneer Village? Mauri and his wife, June, would make Grant Wood and J. Seward Johnson proud.


Submitted by Kristofer Karol

Fried mealworms: The newest fair food?

When it comes to the stars of this year’s crop of fair food, everyone’s been talking about the deep-fried butter and doughnut burger, but what about the fried mealworms?

Purdue University’s Tom Turpin, an etymologist by trade, grossed out and intrigued a packed house in the Pioneer Hi-Bred Our Land Pavilion on Saturday by sautéing mealworms in butter and then feeding them to the audience during his “Let’s Cook Some Bugs” demonstration.

“Where else can you get free fair food?” Turpin asked. Clearly, some people in the audience also understood the adage “nothing in life is free,” as in tasting the mealworms would cost them their lunch.

For those that were brave enough to eat the mealworms, they described the taste as “peanut-ty,” “like shellfish” and, my personal favorite, “I just never tasted anything like this before.”

Before you ask, yes, Turpin has been grilling grubs and other bugs for 35 years. He said he tried it as a way to offer something different to a 4-H roundup at the time. Needless to say, mission accomplished.

Check out Turpin’s treats in the video below:

Submitted by Kristofer Karol

Kiss Up to the Queen!

Introduction by Courtney Sampson, Publicity & Media Relations Intern

Hey friends,
If you haven't met Denae Pyle yet, you're in for a real treat! Denae became the official hostess of our State Fair when she earned the title of 2010 Indiana State Fair Queen. Occasionally, we will re-post some of Denae's entries from her personal blog, "Pig Crazy Queen," which she updates regularly on her journey visiting Indiana's County Fairs and the Indiana State Fair. Get to know her as she chronicles A Day in the Life of a Pig Crazy Queen.

Th-th-th-that's all, folks!
Courtney

Holy Cow! Uh, I mean, Holy Pig! I’m here at the 2010 Great Indiana State Fair, and I’m busy meeting our fairgoers! Have you attended the State Fair “Year of Pigs” yet? Before time runs out…I wanted to let you all know that I am excited to be a part of the American Diabetes Association’s “Kiss a Pig” fundraiser to help the 24 million Americans who suffer from diabetes. If you feel compelled to “vote” for me, you can go to the following website http://bit.ly/bHwXqX, and make a donation.

Each dollar counts as one vote towards me “Kissing a Pig” on August 19 at 10:30 a.m. on the Buckle Up Main Street Stage at the Indiana State Fair! All of the donations go directly towards the American Diabetes Association to help stop diabetes across America and our great Hoosier state. I want to “Kiss a Pig” to show our gratitude towards pigs – Did you know pigs were the first source of insulin for humans with diabetes?

Thank you, thank you to everyone who has already donated! Again, I hope to see you all at the Indiana State Fair sometime soon – it lasts until Aug. 22! Please feel free to stop me and say “Hi!” I have my own golf cart, but you’ll probably recognize me with my long, red, curly hair and tiara!

Here are a few shots – hangin’ out at the State Fair!
Thank you all so much for your support throughout this summer!
See you at the fair.
- Denae

Submitted by: Courtney Sampson, Intern

How much of a Hoosier are you?

Having lived in Indiana for only a year now, my knowledge of the Hoosier state goes something like this: It's located between Illinois and Ohio, people really like the Colts and everyone calls everyone else a "Hoosier," even though no one really can explain with any certainty what the word means.

Being that outsider, I took refuge in learning that today is "Hoosier Heritage Day," so I picked up the camera and trotted over to State Fair Boulevard to take in all the history I could handle from educational and historical organizations in an attempt to educate my poor Michigan-raised mind.

Here's what I learned:

I had no idea how old the state's universities are. For example, I spoke with this calligraphy artist (at left) -- who will write out your name for free on a piece of paper -- and he said he was in attire from the 1800-1816 period. The woman next to him was fanning a Ball State University fan, to which I replied "I guess that's appropriate -- Ball State was around back then." Well, not really, as I soon learned only Vincennes University -- not even IU or Purdue -- was around back then.


During World War I, the battery commander often used this telescope at right to peer into the distance to spot enemy artillery rounds. Doug Blackford with the Hoosier Dougboys, a historical organization, said soldiers, like with Indianapolis' 150th Field Artillery, would then fire their rounds. Overseas fighting at that time was dangerous, he said, noting soldiers didn't have helmets or respirators. Also, did you know that the 150th is still around today, almost 100 years after its founding?

Not much of a war history fan? Then test your knowledge with the Indiana Historical Bureau's state trivia, the Indiana Historical Society's timeline of Indiana politics, or any of the several other displays and demonstrations going on all day!

Where can I find a woman like that?

She might not be Jesse's girl, but Elaine Wissel is certainly Rick's girl. The Beech Grove woman was first in line to get into tonight's free Rick Springfield show, securing her spot under the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand by 8 a.m.

You think you like Rick Springfield? You're no match for Wissel: She's seen the '80s heartthrob 10 times -- THIS YEAR. I can only counter by saying I've seen Hedrick's Racing Pigs 10 times this year ... but I digress. Wissel's fervent fandom also includes additional countless concerts she's attended over her lifetime and the T-shirt she scored when she saw the pop rocker 10 years ago during a special stint in Las Vegas.

See her story below, and then come on out for the free show! It starts at 7 p.m. at the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand at the Indiana State Fair!

Submitted by Kristofer Karol

Jeep Rocks & Road Tour Comes to State Fair

Driving through the concrete jungle of Indianapolis, I don’t get too many opportunities to ride up steep dirt mounds or ungracefully bounce over logs and rocks. However, the Jeep Rocks & Road Ride & Drive exhibit at the 2010 Indiana State Fair affords visitors that opportunity – and more. The exhibit has normal road and off-road courses and a variety of Jeep products where fairgoers can get behind the wheel. It’s free with general fair admission and runs through this evening, Aug. 8 on the west side of the Best Way Disposal Infield.

Check out a video of the perilous journey I went on with my colleague, Courtney Sampson, during our trip to the off-road course Saturday:

"Me and My Gang" First in line for Rascal Flatts

A group of young women from Tipton, Ind. woke up at 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning to claim the coveted front row for Rascal Flatts, who perform this evening at 8 p.m. at the State Fair's Hoosier Lottery Grandstand.

Lorie, Kayla and Courtney, three friends and Rascal Flatts super fans, arrived at the Fairgrounds around 6:15 a.m. and have been sitting underneath the Grandstand ever since. Tonight's concert will be Lorie's third time seeing Rascal Flatts perform. Kayla is looking forward to her fourth time, but Courtney takes-the-cake; tonight will be her sixth show. All three fans purchased tickets the first day they were on sale.

Since I've dubbed Courtney the Super Fan, you'll have to check out the video; she talks about the extra-special surprise she received from the Rascal Flatts Fan Club!

Even during the short time I talked with the girls, the line began to grow. Another group of friends from Central Indiana arrived around 8 a.m., but they were smart enough to bring playing cards! When I asked Lorie, Kayla and Courtney if they would make friends with their newest neighbors, their answer was a resounding yes!


While they wait until track seating opens the evening, the girls will take this time to people watch, enjoy fair smells and maybe even play some cards. If they get hungry enough, one friend might venture out for a deep-fried fair snack, while the others hold her place.

You may not be willing to wake up in the middle of the night, but if you're looking for something to do tonight, tickets are still available for tonight's show! Come hang out at the fair...and when you see the girls in the front row, you'll know they've waited all day for the chance to see Chris Young, Kellie Pickler, and Rascal Flatts. And nope, don't worry - they aren't Drinkin' Themselves Lonely or Wearin' Red High Heels...but they certainly got Their Wish!
Submitted by: Courtney Sampson, Indiana State Fair Intern

Everything's bigger in ... Indiana?

People might say everything’s bigger in Texas but, from the look of things around the fairgrounds the last week, the Indiana State Fair might be ready to take that claim to fame.

First, there were the trusses of the 71-foot long Boy Scouts Legacy Project Bridge that went up the last two weeks (see photo at left). The entire bridge is expected to be completed by Aug. 6. Then, on Monday, crews were busy installing the 25-foot-tall “God Bless America” sculpture in the Dow AgroSciences Celebration Park on the northwest side of the fairgrounds. The J. Seward Johnson piece of public art, based on Grant Wood’s iconic “American Gothic” painting, will be on display during the fair, Aug. 6-22.

Miss the installation? Check out our time-lapse video below:




Submitted by Kristofer Karol

Sprucing up the old "house"

If you complain about having to clean your abode, try scrubbing down and sprucing up a 250-acre "house." That's what crews are busy doing with just three weeks to go until fair time at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

The fairgrounds doesn't magically look immaculate for the Indiana State Fair; a lot of work goes into ensuring the State Fairgrounds looks nice for its nearly 1 million visitors.

Below are just some shots of prep work going on around the fairgrounds this week:

Teams are busy laying down the concrete foundation for the Boy Scouts of America's Legacy Bridge Project. Once completed, the bridge will be 71 feet long of Indiana Hardwood Lumber just north of the Speed Barns.

What? You didn't think the crosswalk stripes came as naturally white as Dairy Bar vanilla ice cream, did you?

There's been plenty of activity near the Swine Barn, too. Appropriate enough, given it is the "Year of Pigs!"

Did we mention it's "Year of Pigs?" You won't have to go far to find your porky pals at the fair this year. The gift shop will sell everything from bacon bandages to bacon-flavored lip balm. I wonder if my girlfriend has egg-flavored lip balm -- that'd be a way to start the day! Pucker up, dear!

Enjoy old tractors and farm machinery? There's plenty of each now just west of Pioneer Village.

This space looks pretty empty now, but don't be fooled -- it will be home to the Habitat for Humanity AgHome soon enough.






Our Executive Director, Cindy Hoye, 18 days before opening day of the Indiana State Fair. Lots of reading material, a few phone messages, and plenty of e-mails. Don't miss the caffeine and her "when pigs fly" ornament, hanging from the computer!

See you at the Great Indiana State Fair!

Submitted by Kristofer Karol

‘New face of Hip-Hop’ coming to the Fairgrounds

I’m a Detroit native, so country music doesn’t exactly run in my genes, but start talking hip-hop and, well, now we’re in business. Kurtis Blow. Run DMC. Outkast. The list goes on and on …

Thankfully, the Great Indiana State Fair is, once again, offering a diverse mix of entertainers at the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand by bringing in new hip-hop sensation Drake on Aug. 13.

The Canadian-born rapper released his highly anticipated debut album, “Thank Me Later,” last week and is already generating buzz in the media. The New York Times has gone as far as saying Drake is “the new face of hip-hop.”

The L.A. Times said Drake’s pop hooks are an “unholy amalgamation of the Backstreet Boys, Phil Collins and Mase.” I’m not sure how you mix those three sounds together but, rest assured, I’m interested to see how any artist can pull off that concoction!

Being a former music reporter, I’m also always interested in seeing, listening and supporting new acts and Drake is about as fresh things get right now in the hip-hop world.

You can “thank me later” for giving you the scoop on Drake by coming out and supporting an up-and-coming musician trying to make his mark in an ultra-competitive genre. Plus, you can grab a deep-fried Twinkie before the show – where else can you dine and be entertained like that??

Submitted by Kristofer Karol

Total Warrior Challenge 6 comes to Fairgrounds

Looking for a unique way to spend your Saturday evening? I’ve got an idea for you. Staying true to the mixed martial arts culture, I’m offering up a countdown of the reasons why you should consider coming out to the Indiana State Fairgrounds’ Toyota Blue Ribbon Pavilion to watch “Total Warrior Challenge VI.”

5) This will be the Fairgrounds’ inaugural Premier Cage Fighting event, and you won’t want to miss it!

4) Glitter Girls (better known as Ring Girls). Oh, and rumor has it, UFC’s Chris Lylte, who will be in attendance, is also a full-time firefighter in Indianapolis.

3) Meet the stars of tomorrow before they get their big break and become famous!

2) “The Beast” vs. “The Pitbull” – who would you put your money on?

1) Anything that costs just $25 bucks and takes up an entire Saturday night is definitely worth checking out!

The fight card features a main event between Joao “Pitbull” Herdy (5-1) and former CageCraze.com featured fighter, Dustin “The Beast” Neace (21-15-1). Other professionals set to fight include: Marvin Lemock, Justin Allen, Casey Dyer, and James Shaw. There will also be multiple amateur cards featuring Abe Garcia, Bobby Thilman, Matthew Perry, and Bryant Whitaker. Here's a clip from Total Warrior Challenge V.



Doors to the Toyota Blue Ribbon Pavilion open at 6pm, and the fights begin at 7pm. To purchase your tickets and discover more information about this weekend’s fight card and other Premier Cage Fighting events, log on to www.totalwarriorchallenge.com or follow them on Twitter @CageCraze.



Submitted by: Courtney Sampson

Hundreds of Volunteers Lend Helping Hands for AgHome

What do you get when 200 volunteers, generous sponsors, thousands of nails, and hundreds of
2 x 4’s come together on a bright, sunny morning? A five-bedroom, two-bathroom Habitat for Humanity home!

The Indiana State Fairgrounds hosted a panel build where board, commission, and staff members worked alongside hundreds of sponsor and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis (HFHGI) volunteers. Sheila Carlson, HFHGI Development and Community Relations Coordinator, was one of this morning’s hardworking crew members.



HFHGI has built more than 370 homes since its inception in 1987, but this home is unique. Several sponsors have stepped-up to help make Allen’s dream of home ownership a reality and showcase the impact of Indiana’s agriculture, a $25 billion industry.

Now that the panels are completed, full construction will take place on the north side of the Fairgrounds during this year’s fair. Normally, a Habitat home is built in six weeks, but Allen’s home will be completed in 15 days and then transported to its permanent site in Central Indianapolis.

A big thank you to everyone who gave their time and effort today! We hope you’ll consider touring the Habitat for Humanity home at this year’s Indiana State Fair, Aug. 6 – 22!


Submitted by: Courtney Sampson

Retirees, teenagers put best foot forward at State Fair’s Job Fair

What do you do if you don’t want a full-time job or a part-time job? How about a seasonal job?

Such was the situation for Pendleton’s Teresa Mason, who came out to Thursday’s Indiana State Fair Job Fair in hopes of landing a temporary Fair position.

“I’m a people person, so I like being around crowds,” said Mason, a 1-year-old retired school teacher and customer service supervisor. "I find it fascinating to watch different kinds of people and interact with them, so I think this is a perfect run of people coming through the gates.”

We had nearly 1,500 job-seekers turn out for about 400 temporary positions at the Indiana State Fair, set this year for Aug. 6-22. Grounds, security, education and other departments all held interviews with applicants, which ranged from teenagers to retirees and Hoosiers to Kentuckians, in the Farm Bureau Building.

Monique Andurson and her brother, Chaz Johnson, weren’t going to let something so little as living in another state deter them from applying for jobs.

The Louisville, Ky. siblings, who have family living in Indianapolis, made the 120-mile trek and were the first in line at 8 a.m. – even though the fair started at 3 p.m. Johnson said a friend had told him the fair started earlier, but that he and his sister toughed it out most of the day because they wanted to be there a “good reasonable time” before anybody else.

“I need something that’s going to help me out,” said Andurson, 17, as she filled out an application. “I need money in my pocket.”

If you couldn’t make it to the job fair, but still want to submit an application, you can do so by stopping in the Employment Office in the Public Safety Building at the Fall Creek Parkway entrance from June 8-18. For more information on the Indiana State Fair, visit http://www.indianastatefair.com/.

Submitted by Kristofer Karol

(above photo by Nick Hewitt)