Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair is held in Indianapolis, the state capital, usually in August. In 2009, a record 973,902 people attended the fair. The 150th Indiana State Fair was held August 9–20, 2006.
The state fair buildings and grounds are used for a variety of other shows while the fair is not being held. The largest building at the fairgrounds is the Pepsi Coliseum, formerly known as the Indiana State Fair Coliseum, where the Indiana Ice usually play. The fairgrounds are on 38th Street and Fall Creek Parkway.
Beginnings
In 1851, at the urging of agricultural promoter Governor Joseph A. Wright, the Indiana General Assembly passed an act intended "to encourage agriculture" growth in the state, which also included the formation of a State Board of Agriculture. A primary goal of the Board was to organize an Indiana State Fair. In 1852, the first State Fair was held in downtown Indianapolis at the Marion County Fairgrounds.[1] Indiana became the sixth state to begin holding an annual state-wide agricultural fair.[citation needed]
During the American Civil War, the county fairgrounds was converted into Camp Morton, a prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers. During the war years no state fair was held, but it was resumed again in 1865 and held in Fort Wayne. In 1892, the state finally purchased the Indiana State Fairgrounds on East 38th Street in Indianapolis. Since then the fair has continually been held in Indianapolis.[1]
The State Fair has been held in Indianapolis for the majority of its existence, but other Indiana cities hosted the event during the mid-19th century:[1]
- 1853 - Lafayette
- 1854 - Madison
- 1859 - New Albany
- 1865 - Fort Wayne
- 1867 - Terre Haute
Competitions
During the duration of the Indiana State Fair, several competitions take place. The 4-H has a large participation in the fair, and competitions are held in numerous areas for 4-H youth members. 4-H winners at county fairs can progress to the state fair with their live-stock, crafts, gardening, or other exhibits. The winner at the state fair can, in some cases, advance to a national competition. The winners receive scholarships and other awards.[2]
Other competitions also occur including, art contests, a hot air balloon race, and a high school marching band contest on "Band Day". Adults competitions also occur in various farm related categories.[3]
Entertainment
Numerous nationally-known entertainers have performed at the Indiana State Fair.
Some of these include: Captain Kangaroo, The Jackson 5, The Beatles, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, The Cowsills, Nancy Sinatra, Lee Hazelwood, Ed Ames, Minnie Pearl, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Arthur Godfrey, Anita Bryant, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Lawrence Welk, The King Family Show, The Association, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Buck Owens, Hager Twins, Bob Hope, Chicago, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Sons of the Pioneers, Bobby Vee, Brian Hyland, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Tommy Roe, Peter Noone, Mitch Ryder, Pat Boone, David Cassidy, Sha Na Na, Mark Lindsay, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Art Linkletter, Red Skelton, Rowan and Martin, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Perry Como, Journey, Marie Osmond, Whitney Houston, New Kids on the Block, Garth Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, Grateful Dead, Def Leppard, Rascal Flatts, T-Pain, Ciara, Kelly Clarkson, Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp, Kenny Rogers, Yung Joc, Kanye West, Jason Aldean, Backstreet Boys, David Archuleta, Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers, American Idol Live!, KISS, Drake, Keith Urban, Kris Allen and Selena Gomez & the Scene, plus others not listed.
In 1964, The Beatles performed two sold out shows to nearly 30,000 audience members September 3[citation needed] and in 1989, New Kids on the Block set a Grandstand attendance record with 18,509 audience members.[citation needed]
They also have Latino/Hispanic entertainment for Indiana's Hispanic population.
On August 13, 2011, a storm collapsed the main stage just before Sugarland was about to perform, killing at least four people and injuring at least 40.
Famous visitors
In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson gave a speech to a crowd of 40,000 on a day known as "Big Thursday." In 1956, Elvis Presley did one of his first TV interviews on WTTV's Top Ten Dance Party with Chuck Marlowe at the then Radio Center just days prior to his first appearance with Ed Sullivan. Over the years, President George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, President John F. Kennedy, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and President Barack Obama have all made appearances at the Fairgrounds.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Indiana State Fair History". Indiana State Fair Board. Retrieved 2009-03-11. [dead link]
- ^ "Indiana State Fair Livestock". Indiana State Fair Board. Retrieved 2009-03-11. [dead link]
- ^ "Introduction" (PDF). Indiana State Fair Board. Retrieved 2009-03-11.