New area brings beer back to fair for first time since 1946
INDIANAPOLIS – Dozens of beer and wine producers from all over Indiana will take part in the Indiana State Fair’s new Indiana Beer and Wine Exhibition located in the Grand Hall on Main Street.
The new exhibition, open only to adults 21 and older, will be open every day of the fair, Aug. 1 – 17, from 1 to 9 p.m. with a wide variety of Indiana wineries and Indiana craft brewers on hand to offer tastings and educate consumers on their products. It will also include an educational display from the Indiana State Museum’s American Spirits exhibit. This is the first time the State Fair has offered alcohol for sale since 1946 following a state law that was created to ban it due to a littering issue during the fair.
“This is an opportunity for the Indiana State Fair to showcase two very important Indiana agricultural industries,” Indiana State Fair Executive Director Cindy Hoye said. “We will keep the beloved family atmosphere the fair has always had while adding this Indiana ag education exhibit, which is at the heart of our mission.”
The exhibition will offer Indiana beer and wine for sale by the glass as well as smaller tasting samples to allow visitors a chance to try a wide assortment of drinks. Each patron will be limited to a strict three drink maximum that will require a token in exchange for each 12 ounce beer or 5 ounce glass of wine. Tokens will be available for $5 each. In addition, all glasses of beer and wine sold must be consumed inside the Grand Hall; there will be no roaming the fairgrounds with alcohol.
A complete schedule of participating Indiana brewers and Indiana wineries will soon be available at www.indianastatefair.com. Fair general admission is $10; discount tickets are $7; kids 5 and younger are free. Discount tickets are available at www.indianastatefair.com presented by Mattress Firm and the Indiana State Fair box office through July 31, and can also be purchased at all participating Indiana Walmart stores and all CVS/pharmacy stores while supplies last. State Fair parking is $5.
About Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair is the state’s largest multi-day event celebrating Hoosiers’ spirit and agricultural heritage. Nationally recognized for offering great entertainment, showcasing youth, interactive agriculture education programs, premier facilities and a variety of unique, fun foods, the Indiana State Fair has been an annual tradition for generations of Hoosiers since 1852. The 2014 fair is celebrating the “Year of the Coliseum.” For more information, please visit www.indianastatefair.com.