The 2016 Indiana State Fair drew to a close Sunday with a return to “Fair Weather” and the crowds that followed. Proof that good weather brings Hoosiers to the Fair. On the last day of the Fair a new final Sunday attendance record for the 17-day Fair was set with 83,148 fairgoers through the gates.
With an average heat index of over 87 degrees and nine days of precipitation, bringing more than four inches of rain, the overall Fair attendance was 19.4 % off from last year’s 5th largest attended Fair, seeing 731,543 fairgoers.
“The mission of the Indiana State Fair is to promote agriculture and connect farmers with consumers, and this Fair we got a glimpse of what a farmer can deal with during a season with less than favorable weather,” said Cindy Hoye, Executive Director, Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center. “The challenges this year showed how resilient this team can be at still providing a great Fair for those that did come out, even in the heat and rain.”
To close out the 2016 Indiana State Fair, the Indiana State Fair Foundation was able to celebrate the completion of the Coliseum Campaign: Making Memories by raising more than $10 million towards the $63 million renovation of the Indiana Farmers Coliseum and addition of the Pop Weaver Pavilion and Cheri Daniels Youth Arena.
SOURCE: Indiana State Fair Commission
