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2012 Indiana State Fair

2012 Indiana State Fair Day #3

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Sunday At the Fair
Elanco Day Aug. 5, 2012

Today’s Highlights

  • Hispanic/Latino Music Day Events Free Stage: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Youth Talent Contest Farm Bureau Building: Noon
  • Young Hoosier Piano Finals Ellison Building: 1 to 6 p.m.
  • Lucas Oil Indy Super Pull ($5) Hoosier Lottery Grandstand: 1 & 7 p.m.

Everyday Entertainment

  • Ciao Italia International Pavilion: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Cowtown USA Family Fun Park: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Bixby’s Rainforest Rescue starring Iago Family Fun Park: 11 a.m., 1:30, 4 p.m.
  • MHS pres. Flippenout Extreme Trampoline Show Family Fun Park: Noon, 2:30 & 5 p.m.
  • Harold Miller Photography Exhibit Normandy Barn: 1 to 9 p.m.
  • Marsh Daily Parade Main Street: 6:30 p.m.

Bark up the right tree with SuperDogs!

Ever seen a rottweiler who is a master at card tricks? How about an Ibizan Hound set a world record for the highest jump? That’s the kind of amazing feats visitors can see each day of the Indiana State Fair as the world-famous International SuperDogs make their first appearance in the Hoosier State.

“It’s truly the most joyous thing that people can hope to see,” said Phil Shuchat, president and CEO, Spot On Entertainment, Inc. “They will laugh, they will cheer. It’s the most fun on four legs.

Superdogs perform every day at the Dow AgroScience Celebration Park at noon, 2:30 and 5 p.m. After each show, the dogs will be available for meet and greet.

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2012 Indiana State Fair Day #2

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Saturday At the Fair
Ball State Day Aug. 4, 2012

Today’s Highlights

  • Young Hoosier State Piano Comp. Ellison Building: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Girl Scout Activities Free Stage: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Taste of the Wild Cookout DNR Area: 11 a.m.
  • Allstar Weekend Free Stage: 5 & 7 p.m.

Everyday Entertainment

  • Ciao Italia International Pavilion: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Cowtown USA Family Fun Park: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Bixby’s Rainforest Rescue starring Iago Family Fun Park: 11 a.m., 1:30, 4 p.m.
  • MHS pres. Flippenout Extreme Trampoline Show Family Fun Park: Noon, 2:30 & 5 p.m.
  • International SuperDogs Dow AgroScience Celebration Park: Noon, 2:30 & 5 p.m.
  • Marsh Daily Parade Main Street: 6:30 p.m.

Daredevil Frenzy at Monster Truck Show

Ramps, wheelies and doughnuts, oh my! Five oversized trucks fill the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand today for the Monster Truck Nationals, presented by Lucas Oil.

Standing more than 11 feet off the ground, these giant trucks compete in elimination style side-by-side drag races, wheelie shoot-outs and free-style contests where audience members choose the winner. In between heats, Transauraus, a 35,000 pound, fire-breathing dinosaur, thrills audiences as it crushes everything in its path.
Today’s competition is part of a 15 show national series with two shows that begin at 1 and 7 p.m. Admission is $5.

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Winchester Community High School Claims State Fair Marsh Band Day Title

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After winning the Indiana State Fair Band Day title for the second year in a row, Winchester Community High School can again call itself “Indiana’s Best Band.”  This is Winchester’s third Band Day championship overall.

Winchester’s show entitled “If It Is To Be…It Is Up To Me” also won first place in the preliminary class awards for Class AAA, the toughest class at Band Day.

“It feels so awesome to win it again,” sophomore Kolt Halcomb said. “I’m so happy I can’t even put it into words.”

Winchester students credit the band’s success to their director, Douglas Fletcher. With 12 championships at four different schools between 1989 and 2012, Fletcher holds the record for the most Band Day wins by an individual.

“I am so proud of this group, but I know we wouldn’t be here without Mr. Fletcher,” sophomore Lane Honeycutt said. “He pushes us to be the best and he inspires us to leave a legacy at our school.”

Muncie Southside finished second and Richmond, last year’s runner-up, finished third.  Here is the complete order of finish for tonight’s “Sweet 16”:

  1. Winchester Community High School
  2. Muncie Southside High School
  3. Richmond High School
  4. Northeastern High School
  5. Centerville High School
  6. East Central High School
  7. Jay County High School
  8. Anderson High School
  9. Noblesville High School
  10. Frankton High School
  11. Muncie Central High School
  12. Kokomo High School
  13. Union County High School
  14. Yorktown High School
  15. Mooresville High School
  16. Elwood Community High School

(Photo: Richmond High School)

Tickle Me Elmo III wins Second World’s Largest Hog title

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Boar weighs in at 1,303 pounds

In his third appearance at the Indiana State Fair’s World’s Largest Male Hog Contest, Tickle Me Elmo III tipped the scales at 1,303 pounds, winning the competition by a margin of 343 pounds.

Owner Cory Patton, 22, of Sellersburg, Ind., won the competition with Tickle Me Elmo in 2010, finished in second place in 2011 and earned a another first-place award this year. Tickle Me Elmo is four-and-a-half years old.

“I’ve been showing pigs since I was five or six years old,” Patton said. “I have a lot of fun with it.”

Patton’s competition was Jay Rulon of Arcadia, Ind. His boar, Zeus XL, weighed in at 960 pounds.

Guests can visit Tickle Me Elmo at the north entrance of the Swine Barn during the fair.

(Photo: Cory Patton (right) guides Tickle Me Elmo to the scale.)

2012 Indiana State Fair Day #1

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Friday At the Fair
St. Vincent Health Day Aug. 3, 2012

Today’s Highlights

  • Opening Day Celebration Dairy Bar: 8:30 a.m.
  • Indianapolis Children’s Choir Free Stage: 11 a.m.
  • King Michael: A Tribute Free Stage: 6 & 8 p.m.
  • World’s Largest Male Hog Contest Swine Barn: 7 p.m.

Indiana Marching Bands Fight for Bragging Rights

Today one of the State Fair’s longest running traditions, the 66th annual Marsh Band Day Competition, features 45 high school marching bands from all over the state. Each school brings new music, costumes and choreography to the Hoosier Lottery Grand- stand in hopes that their countless hours of practice will pay-off.

During the morning session starting at 9 a.m., 8 judges will cri- tique the bands based on music, visual execution and general ef- fect. The top scoring bands will earn a spot in the “Sweet 16” and battle for the title of “Indiana’s Best Band” in the finals at 8 p.m.

Last year’s champion, Winchester Community High School, hopes to claim the title again with their show “If It Is To Be…It Is Up To Me!” with Director Douglass R. Fletcher, who holds the record for the most Indiana State Fair Band Day titles, with nine wins.

Everyday Entertainment

  • Ciao Italia International Pavilion: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Cowtown USA Family Fun Park: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Bixby’s Rainforest Rescue starring Iago Family Fun Park: 11 a.m., 1:30, 4 p.m.
  • MHS pres. Flippenout Extreme Trampoline Show Family Fun Park: Noon, 2:30 & 5 p.m.
  • Harold Miller Photography Exhibit Normandy Barn: 1 to 9 p.m.
  • Marsh Daily Parade Main Street: 6:30 p.m.

Connect with the Indiana State Fair

Giveaway: 2012 Indiana State Fair Tickets

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Would you like to attend the 2012 Indiana State Fair Tickets for FREE courtesy of the Indiana State Fair?

We have five pairs of tickets to giveaway to the 2012 Indiana State Fair, which runs August 3-19.

To enter please fill out the form below or e-mail us with your full name,valid e-mail address by 11:59pm on Sunday, August 5, 2012 and five (5) lucky winners will be chosen at random to receive a pair of tickets.

Your information is confidential and will only be used for contacting the winner and for prize fulfillment purposes.

This Contest Has Ended

Giveaway Rules:

  • One entry per person
  • Open to Indiana residents
  • Fill out the form above or e-mail us with your full name & valid e-mail address to be entered to win by 11:59pm on Sunday, August 5, 2012
  • You MUST be able to attend the Fair
  • Tickets will be mailed to the winners

The winner will be notified by Monday, August 6, 2012 via e-mail.

Spaghetti ice cream named State Fair’s “Signature Food”

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Colorful concoction defeats five other dairy creations

Monroe Concessions’ Spaghetti Ice Cream has been voted the 2012 ‘Signature Food’ at the Indiana State Fair.  Online voters selected this dish after reading the insights from a panel of eight judges who tasted all six entries.

Fairgoers can find the winning dessert on Main Street across from the Pepsi Coliseum, the spot given to the contest’s winning concessionaire every year.  The dish sells for $5 and consists of spaghetti shaped Italian ice cream (“gelato”) with strawberry “tomato sauce,” shaved white chocolate “cheese” and chocolate “meatballs.”

Bob and Joanie Monroe of Monroe Concessions in Marion, IN, came up with the concept after learning that this year’s fair is the “Year of Dairy Cows” and will also feature an exhibit on Italy in the International Pavilion.  This is the second time the Monroes have won the contest.  Their deep-fried chocolate covered strawberries won the inaugural competition in 2006.

“The last time we won it was so much fun seeing all the kids get excited about our food,” Joanie Monroe said. “This year will be great because kids will love the idea of spaghetti ice cream. It’s something people of all ages will like.”

To celebrate the fair’s “Year of Dairy Cows” theme, contest rules required vendors to use dairy products in their food creations.  Here are the other entries, which will all be on sale at the State Fair, so visitors can judge for themselves:

  • Cheese Squared (Coffman Concessions):  Chipotle, creamy spinach, or garlic herb cream cheese wrapped in Swiss cheese, then lightly breaded and fried. ($6 for 5 squares)
  • Moo Chew Meal (American Dairy Association):  A light, refreshing lemon chiller milkshake served with a sourdough grilled cheese sandwich loaded with American and Pepper Jack cheese. ($5)
  • Micro Beer Cheese Sauce (Barto’s Catering):  Local micro brew-fused beer cheese sauce served on either fresh cut fries, hefty burger or on the side for dipping. ($1/cup)
  • Caramel Corn Sundae (Baskin Robbins):  Vanilla ice cream with hot caramel topping, caramel corn, fresh whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. ($5.50 for 2 scoops)
  • Blue Ribbon Cannoli (Bakerman Concessions):  A crisp Italian cookie shell filled with sweet, whipped ricotta cheese, whipping cream, powdered sugar, mini chocolate chips and dried berries, finished off with a powdered sugar sprinkle.  ($6 for 2)

For more information on the state fair, visit www.indianastatefair.com.

Local food specialties featured at State Fair’s new DuPont Food Pavilion

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Pavilion celebrates all components of Indiana’s “food chain”

Everyone loves food. Hoosiers, in particular, love growing it, cooking it and learning about it.  That’s why the fair created the new DuPont Food Pavilion located on Main Street near the iconic Midway Arch. The pavilion teaches fairgoers about the state’s “farm to fork” link while featuring more than 30 Indiana-made specialty food items.

The 16,000 square foot exhibit is dedicated solely to food, the number one reason many folks attend the State Fair.  Visitors can peruse the pavilion’s Hoosier Market where locally-produced items such as Hoosier Mama Bloody Mary Mix and Burton’s Maplewood Farms maple syrup are for sale.

While bringing local favorites home for dinner is great, sampling food is even better. Volunteers at the retail store, sponsored by Indiana Artisan and Indiana Grown, will distribute complimentary samples of local cuisine every day.

“Everyone loves fair food but most Hoosiers don’t realize how many unique food creations Indiana is home to,” said Tim Burton of Burton’s Maplewood Farms. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this new fair tradition and I can’t wait to share some of my favorite syrups and best cooking tips with fairgoers this August.”

Burton and dozens of other local chefs will present interactive cooking demonstration at the pavilion’s Red Gold Culinary Corner. Featured chefs from Food for Thought: An Indiana Harvest will also present daily food shows in the state-of-the-art exhibition kitchen.  Fairgoers can discover new recipes, interact with all the food experts and learn how to incorporate Indiana-made foods into every day meals. Demonstrations are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Other exhibits at the pavilion spotlight the issues connected to food, including nutrition and hunger. Purdue University’s MyPlate interactive display offers suggestions on how Hoosiers can ensure a healthy diet for their families. Visitors can also learn about DuPont’s pioneering programs to help feed the hungry.

The pavilion’s retail store and exhibits are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the fair, Aug. 3-19.

2012 Indiana State Fair Grandstand Schedule

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The Indiana State Fair’s Hoosier Lottery Grandstand has a full line-up of activities for 2012.  The long list of competitions, family shows and motor sports scheduled throughout the fair’s 17 days includes the return of the Lucas Oil Indy Mile AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National motorcycle race for the first time since 1998.

Here is the complete list of events:

  • Marsh Band Day – Aug. 3, preliminaries at 9 a.m. ($6 adults, $2 children); finals at 8 p.m. ($10 adults, $4 children). The state’s top high school marching bands compete for bragging rights, cash prizes and trophies.
  • Monster Truck Nationals presented by Lucas Oil – Aug. 4 at 1 and 7 p.m. ($5). Incredible and competitive monster trucks race during one afternoon session and one evening session.
  • Lucas Oil Indy Super Pull – Aug. 5 at 1 and 7 p.m. (Free). Drivers will compete in six different classes during two different pulls.
  • International Circus Hall of Fame – Aug. 6-7 at 2 and 6 p.m. (Free).  The pride of Peru, Ind., brings its elephants, jugglers and trapeze artists for two full days of shows.
  • Timberworks Lumberjack Show – Aug. 8-9 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m. (Free).  This entertaining group of outdoorsmen show-off their axe throwing, pole climbing and log rolling skills during friendly and comedic competitions.
  • Xtreme Action Sports Show pres. by VOICE – Aug. 10 at 2 and 7 p.m. (Free).  World class athletes show off their skateboarding, BMX and motocross skills.
  • Cheerleading Competition – Aug. 11, preliminaries at 10 a.m. ($8 adults, $2 children 6-12, free children 5 and younger); finals at 5 p.m. ($10 adults, $4 children 6-12, free children 5 and younger).  Varsity and Jr. Varsity squads from around the state try to impress the judges and take home the enormous trophy.
  • Great American Wild West Show – Aug. 12-13 at 1 and 6 p.m. (Free).  The Old West comes back to life as cowboys and Native Americans in full costume demonstrate how they used to ride, rope, shoot and dance during a show that’s fun for the whole family.
  • Indiana State Fair Horse Pulls – Aug. 14 at 4 and 8 p.m.  Teams of mighty draft horses show off their incredible strength by pulling weighted sleds down the track.
  • Harness Racing – Aug. 15-16 at 10 a.m. (Free). More than 85 years of harness racing history continues at the Indiana State Fairgrounds as the finest Indiana and Grand Circuit horses compete, with the prestigious Fox Stake scheduled on Aug. 16.
  • Naptown Roller Girls Roller Derby – Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. (Free).  These daring darlings are the fiercest things on four wheels.  With clever nicknames and exciting maneuvers, it’s easy to see why they draw huge crowds throughout the year.
  • Lucas Oil Indy Mile AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National – Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m. ($31 and $36, includes State Fair admission).  The dirt around the one-mile Track of Champions will be flying all day long as racers start qualifying at 3 p.m. reaching speeds of up to 120 mph.  Heat races begin at 7:30 and the green flag drops on the Grand National about 9:30.
  • Lucas Oil Demolition Derby – Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ($5). This derby is an annual favorite as cars crash into each other until there is just one still running.

Tickets for all paid events are available by calling the Indiana State Fair Box Office at (317) 927-7601 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. They are also available online at www.ticketmaster.com.

“Year of Dairy Cows” at 2012 Indiana State Fair

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New Cowtown USA exhibit offers dairy-related activities, snacks

 The Indiana State Fair would be quite different without creamy grilled cheese sandwiches or thick milkshakes in the Dairy Bar. This year, the Indiana State Fair celebrates the value of the dairy industry to Hoosiers with the “Year of Dairy Cows” presented by the American Dairy Association (ADA) of Indiana.

There are more than 1,500 dairy farms in Indiana housing 176,000 cows. These dairy farms produce about 3.5 billion pounds of milk, accounting for nearly $500 million in milk production each year. Hoosiers with a sweet tooth will be proud that Indiana ranks second nationally in ice cream production.

“Dairy brings a great economic benefit to Indiana,” ADA spokesperson Jenni Purcell said. “Not only that, but milk is very nutritious. Dairy farmers are dedicated to and passionate about taking care of their animals and the land.”

Through its partnership with the ADA of Indiana, the Indiana State Fair will feature a number of dairy-related activities to highlight the importance of dairy cows, including:

  • Cowtown USA (Family Fun Park): This exhibit gives visitors the chance to hand-milk a real cow and participate in the pasteurization process. Participants can take part in creating cheese, butter and ice cream. Even better, they get to sample these “homemade” delights when they’re done!
  • Moo Chew Grilled Cheese & Lemon Chiller (Dairy Bar): These are two new food items featured in the Dairy Bar this year. “Moo Chew” is a grilled sandwich with American cheese in between two slices of Pepper Jack on Sourdough bread. “Lemon Chiller” is a lemon-flavored milkshake.
  • Buttercup: The mascot for American Dairy Association of Indiana is at the State Fair to meet and greet fairgoers and represent the dairy industry through the fair’s 17 days.
  • LegenDairy Marketplace (DuPont Food Pavilion): The ADA of Indiana provides information about the nutritional value of dairy products and the importance of Indiana’s dairy industry.
  • Fuel Up to Play 60 tent (Family Fun Park): This kids’ activity teaches youngsters why it’s important to eat nutrient-packed foods and exercise for 60 minutes per day.
  • “Celebrating Dairy Cows” interactive kiosk (Mac Reynolds Barn): This exhibits features facts about dairy cows and the history of the Reynolds farm in Fishers. There are also cow-themed games and photo opportunities.
  • Free “Cow Cup” (Hot Wisconsin Cheese stand between the Ball State Ag/Hort Building and the DuPont Food Pavilion): Mondays ONLY from 9 a.m. to noon, patrons receive a free 32 oz. souvenir “Cow Cup” of soda with the purchase of any cheese item.
  • Cattle Barn (West Pavilion): The ADA of Indiana offers displays on modern dairy farming, cow comfort, robotic milking and the six major dairy breeds.
  • Dairy cow exhibits (Normandy Barn):  Information about Ellen, the world champion milk-producing cow from 1975-1992, will be on display. A carousel milking exhibit will teach visitors about advancements in the dairy industry, and wall panels will provide information about the six breeds of dairy cows.

The State Fair has featured one important Indiana agricultural community since 2007. Previous products featured include corn, pigs, tomatoes, trees (hardwoods) and soybeans.