Naptown Buzz

Your source for all things Indy™

2014 Indiana State Fair

2014 Indiana State Fair Day #1 Schedule

by

2014 Indiana State Fair Day #1: Opening Day
Friday, August 1, 2014

2014-INStateFair-Day1

Today’s Highlights

  • Giant Hot Air Balloon Launch — Infield at sunrise (approx. 6:15 a.m.)
  • 4-H Horse & Pony Contesting Classes — Youth Arena at 8 a.m.
  • Opening Ceremonies — Coliseum at 8 a.m.
  • All Day Ride Survival with unlimited rides for $30 — Midway Noon to 11 p.m.
  • World’s Largest Male Hog Contest — Swine Barn at 8 p.m.

BritBeat: Beatles Tribute Band

Critically acclaimed Beatles tribute band BritBeat will start the State Fair out on a high note. Fans can hear
BritBeat perform some of the Beatles’ all time favorites, as a part of the Shane Co. Coliseum Concert series, in the same place the original Beatles played at the fair 50 years ago in their only Indiana appearance. Showtime is 7 p.m.

Everyday Entertainment

  • Great American Duck Race: Family Fun Park at 10:30 a.m., 1, 4, 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.
  • MHS pres. Flippenout Extreme Trampoline Show: Dow AgroSciences Celebration Park at 11:30 a.m., 2 & 4:30 p.m.
  • Shenanigans! Comedy Wild West Show: Family Fun Park at 12, 3 & 6:30 p.m.
  • Indiana Farming Experience: Glass Barn 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Little Hands on the Farm: Family Fun Park 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

‘A Time to Celebrate’ at the Indiana State Fair

by

2014-IN-State-Fair-LogoFINAL

The Indiana State Fair is always a celebration. It celebrates agriculture, youth and all foods deep-fried or served on a stick. But this year’s fair is historic for another reason – a reopened Fairgrounds Coliseum following an 18-month, $53 million renovation.

As a result, it is the “Year of the Coliseum” at the fair, which means the fair’s Draft horse shows and livestock events return to the fairgrounds’ signature structure after a year of improvising. In addition, the Shane Co. Coliseum Concert Series brings back the fair’s headline concerts to the building for the first time in 30 years.

The Coliseum will host seven headline concerts, including:

  • Lynyrd Skynyrd with special guests Jamey Johnson and Drake White and the Big Fire – July 31 at 7:30
  • BritBeat – Aug. 1 at 7 p.m.
  • Phillip Phillips – Aug. 5 at 8 p.m.
  • American Idol Live! 2014 Tour – Aug. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Pitbull – Aug. 8 at 8 p.m.
  • Hunter Hayes – Aug. 9 at 8 p.m.
  • Jim Gaffigan – Aug. 17 at 8 p.m.

When concerts aren’t taking place in the Coliseum, there will be lots of livestock and Draft Horse shows going on, including the National Belgian show, which debuts in Indiana after more than 50 years in Iowa. There’s also the Grand Drive with 4-H’ers and their prize animals.

The Free Stage will feature a wide variety of nationally known performers, including Dustin Lynch presented by HANK-FM and Royal Pin Leisure Centers (Aug. 5); Indy’s Josh Kaufman presented by WZPL and Kaplan University (Aug. 7); Grammy-nominated Canadian rockers Barenaked Ladies (Aug. 11); Folk rockers America and Country rock legend Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (Aug. 13); The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards (Aug. 14); Classic rock band Kansas (Aug. 15); and a long list of others.

The fair’s new Indiana Beer & Wine Exhibition will allow visitors to sample Hoosier beers and wines in the Grand Hall on Main Street. It is only open to adults 21 and older, and all the products must be consumed inside the building. The exhibition will be open from 1 to 9 p.m. every day of the fair.

There’s much more, of course – a comedy wild west show, horse pull, tractor pull, duck races, a trick dog show, a BMX stunt show, rodeo, AMA motorcycle racing and on and on. It all starts Aug. 1 and runs through Aug. 17.

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.