Miss Indiana State Fair: Beyond the Crown

Before sitting down with Miss Indiana State Fair, Erika Burghardt, I felt a little envious.  I knew right after our conversation she would begin her trip to Castleton Square Mall to take advantage of the $1,000 shopping spree reward given to every state fair queen.  What girl wouldn’t be a little jealous?

After just a few minutes of chatting with Erika, my envy quickly melted.  Not only was I inspired by her passion for 4-H and the fair, her gracious spirit proved why she stood out among the 87 other contestants at the queen pageant last August. 

“I watch the YouTube video of the moment I was crowned over and over again and every time I still get nervous when they are about to announce my name,” Erika said. “At that moment all I wanted to do was hug every person I saw. I still am just so grateful.”

Erika’s enthusiasm for the state fair stems from her 10-year 4-H membership.  After spending eight years in the Swine Barn and being named a 4-H Record Achievement Recipient, she calls the 4-H community her second family. 

“It is just one of those things you have to experience for yourself,” Erika said. “This organization has done so much for me and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it. That’s why I feel so lucky to have this opportunity to give back to 4-H and the fair.”

And give back she will. Between her 44 appearances at county fairs, festivals and other fair promotional events, Erika will spend at least four days a week traveling all over Indiana during June and July.  Once Aug. 3 rolls around, her duty as the fair’s Official Hostess becomes a 24/7 commitment.  

Erika says her summer is completely dedicated to the fair.  She is excited about the opportunity to promote the fair and 4-H, but is most looking forward to the connection she will make with each person she meets.

“I want everyone I interact with to feel special,” she said. “When I was little I always looked up to Miss Tippecanoe County. Now it’s my turn to be that role model for other little girls.”

Helping out High Schools during Coliseum Renovation

Like many other high school seniors, my commencement ceremony took place in our stuffy, overcrowded school gymnasium.  But size issues force large graduating classes from high schools like Carmel and North Central to move to bigger venues for graduation.  This year, the Pepsi Coliseum hosted graduation for nine Indianapolis high schools.

Kelsey Hall, a 2012 Lawrence Central graduate, said the Coliseum allowed her graduation to be spacious and organized.

“The Pepsi Coliseum is great because there is more than enough room for family and friends to attend,” Hall said. “I don’t think my graduation would have gone as smoothly if we were crammed into our gym.”

However, the graduation traditions of these high schools will be put on hold for the next two years as the Fairgrounds begins the renovation process of the 73-year-old Pepsi Coliseum this October.  Don’t worry; the Coliseum will maintain its traditional outside appearance, while the entire inside will be gutted and transformed making it modernized and more visitor-friendly.  The renovation will be complete in time for the 2014 State Fair. 

Fortunately, The Fairgrounds is making sure everyone still has a home for graduation.  Not wanting to cause any extra work for high school administrators, Fairgrounds staff members took the reigns and began making commencement arrangements several months ago for each school.  Due to the Fairgrounds partnership with the Indiana Convention and Visitors Association, most schools are expected to head downtown to use the Indiana Convention Center. 

Before then, three more high schools will be showing up at the Fairgrounds in cap and gown.  Keep in mind seniors, you are a part the last classes to graduate from the original Pepsi Coliseum!

On May 24 Carmel was the first high school to hold its last commencement ceremony at the original Pepsi Coliseum.

Day of Service

Indiana State Fair employees traveled to the Marion County Fairgrounds to help them get ready for the county fair. Workers painted, cleaned and gardened to prepare the fairgrounds for the June 22-30 fair.

Below are some photos of employees hard at work!

Trotting for Charity

Who wouldn’t love a horse named “Drop it Like it’s Hot” or “I Shot the Sheriff”? These two horses, along with about 350 others from across the country, took part in the Indianapolis Charity Horse Show this week where they gracefully walked, cantered and trotted for a good cause.

While I don’t know much about horse showmanship, I could certainly appreciate the grace that both the horses and the riders displayed. And the excitement and passion the spectators from the various stables showed was contagious. What an atmosphere!

“Everyone is here because of a love for the equine horse,” said Judy McManama, secretary for the Indianapolis Charity Horse Show. “There’s a real partnership between horse and driver. In no other sport do you deal with another entity that has its good days and bad days just like the rider. It’s wonderful to watch when that connection comes together.”

There are so many things that make this special. McManama said this is a great event because it supports the horse industry, brings business to Indianapolis and benefits a good charity.

The local nonprofit donates its proceeds to Indiana Children’s Wish Fund, and they grant wishes to Indiana children between the ages of 3 and 18 who suffer from life-threatening illnesses. McManama said that over the past 15 years, the Indianapolis Charity Horse Show has donated between $150,000 and $200,000 to the Wish Fund.

The event continues through today with a silent auction and free shows at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Come meet “Drop it Like it’s Hot” for yourself!

The horse named “I Shot the Sheriff” does a victory lap after winning the Class 21 competition for Saddlebred Country Pleasure Driving. About 350 horses and their riders compete in the three-day show.

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

Enter the World of Wheels

I’ll be honest - I don’t know a camshaft from a driveshaft. I’ve never changed my own oil. I have no desire to spend a Saturday afternoon swapping out sparkplugs. I don’t even wax my Honda Accord. But for some strange reason, I could look at cool cars and antique automobiles all day long.

That’s why I’m excited about the return of this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 World of Wheels. This show has been around more than 50 years and always has an incredible collection of awesome hot rods, classic cars, custom motorcycles and more!

There’s just something about seeing (and sometimes touching) these vehicles all painted and polished and ready to roll. Must be a guy thing. But it’s a family thing, too, with slot car racing and other fun things to check out and enjoy.

There’s just something about seeing (and sometimes touching) these vehicles all painted and polished and ready to roll. Must be a guy thing. But it’s a family thing, too, with slot car racing and other fun things to check out and enjoy.

This year, the show will also have a strong line-up of celebrities to meet and greet … especially for the guys. Appearing this year are:

TV’s Spongebob Squarepants Friday, 6-9 p.m.
Sat., 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sun. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Deena “The Blast” Nicole from “Jersey Shore” Sat., 1-5 p.m.

WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio Sat., 1-3 p.m.

Reality TV celebrity Billy the Exterminator Sun. noon-5 p.m.

So you don’t have to be a car buff or a grease monkey to enjoy this show, but if you are, clear your weekend schedule. You’ll need plenty of time to make your way through all three buildings of displays, stages and exhibits. Vrrrroooooommm!

Submitted by Andy Klotz

Super Fun at State Fairgrounds

The Big Game may be taking place 15 minutes away from here, but the State Fairgrounds has been full of Super Bowl excitement this week.

It started early in the week with the transformation of the Pepsi Coliseum as the NFL prepared it for Thursday Night’s Pepsi Fan Jam headlined by B.o.B., Gym Class Heroes and the All American Rejects. Tonight’s show featuring Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood is also sure to be a great time.

The commissioner’s party, the Maxim party and other events have also brought big name celebs to the fairgrounds, but nothing can top this morning’s presentation of the Bart Starr Award at the Super Bowl Breakfast in the Exposition Hall. More than 2,000 people turned out to see Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher receive the honor for his outstanding talents on the field and his faith-led civic involvement in real life.

Indianapolis will be remembered for a long time as a great Super Bowl host city, and the State Fairgrounds is proud to be playing a small role in that.

Submitted by Andy Klotz