Since it opened in 1892, the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis has been home to the annual Indiana State Fair, featuring carnival rides, classic fair food and live music concerts. However, the Indiana State Fairgrounds is not just for the fair alone. It's a year-round facility with multiple venues that handle more than 300 other events, both public and private, throughout the year. Visitors and residents alike flock to the fairgrounds for these various events, ranging from exciting industry showcases to family-friendly holiday happenings.
The annual Indiana State Fair is the signature event held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The fair typically takes place in August over 17 days and is one of the largest events in the state. Traditional fair attractions include a large Midway packed with classic carnival rides and games, livestock competitions and family-friendly animal and entertainment shows. An annual daily parade in the evenings, a car show and performances from local dance troupes and bands round out the regular features. Classic fair food is one of the main draws of the festival, as well as creative deep-fried treats, such as deep-fried candy bars, pickles and even deep-fried soda. Other staple foods at the fair include giant Amish donuts and the famous Hoosier rib-eye sandwiches. The biggest events at the fair, however, are the nightly concerts at the Coliseum, featuring some of the biggest music acts around the nation. Concert tickets must be purchased separately from the festival tickets.
The Indiana State Fairgrounds is busy all year long with a variety of showcase or expos from different industries around the country and across the state. The Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show is one the oldest and most notable. The event, held at the end of February, showcases the best, newest and most innovative in outdoor equipment, such as RVs, leisure boats and fishing gear. Another well-known showcase is the annual Indianapolis Home Show, held near the end of January. Homeowners come in droves to this showcase to learn about home renovations from experts, purchase top-of-the line home improvement items and check out new real estate developments. Bring your pet to the annual Great Indy Pet Expo, held in early November. The focus of the expo is to promote pet health and wellness and features pet product presentations, health screenings, pet competitions and animal entertainment shows.
The Indiana State Fairgrounds regularly has special events going on throughout the winter holiday season, starting with Safe Night Halloween. Parents can bring their kids to the fairground parking lot for a safe and secure trick-or-treating experience. The most notable holiday event is the Christmas Gift and Hobby Show, held in early November, where early bird Christmas shoppers can get the best deals on the most popular gift-giving items of the season. It also features a holiday music entertainment, gift-wrapping services, and photo opportunities with Santa Claus. The annual Junior League holds its own Holiday Mart in mid-November, which features major national retailers showcasing their best products. A few weekends throughout the year, the fairgrounds hosts a massive flea market with more than 250 booths offering the best bargains around.
For roller derby fans, the Indianapolis Naptown Roller Girls often use the fairgrounds as their home arena throughout the winter and spring seasons. Bouts are open to the public and free for children under age 6. The Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds is also home to the Indiana Fuel, a minor league hockey team, starting in the 2014-2015 season. Public ice-skating is open from October through the end of winter at the Coliseum, as well. Ice-skate rentals are available from the on-site skate shop. The Coliseum also hosts major live music concerts from national and world famous artists all year-round.
