Here's what's happening this year at the Indiana State Fair
Animals. Music. Lemon shake-ups. Deep-fried everything. It's time for the Indiana State Fair.
Here's a look at all the details you'll need to plan your visit this year.
When is the Indiana State Fair?
This year's fair runs from Aug. 2 through Aug. 18. It's closed on Mondays.
The fairs hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Entry ends at 8 p.m. every day.
Where is the Indiana State Fair? Directions and where to park
The Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center is at 1202 E. 38th Street in Indianapolis.
Below are the directions suggested on the fairgrounds website.
From the north:
Take I-65 to Exit 119 (West 38th Street).
Take I-69, which becomes Binford Boulevard; then Fall Creek Parkway. Turn right on East 38th Street.
From the south:
Take I-65 to Exit 107 (North Keystone Avenue); turn left on East 38th Street.
From the east:
Take I-70 to Exit 85 (Keystone Avenue); turn left on East 38th Street.
Take I-74 and merge onto I-465 North, then take Exit 44A to I-70 West. Take Exit 85 (Keystone Avenue) and turn right, then left on East 38th Street.
From the west:
Take I-70 to Exit 111 (Washington Street); turn left on Washington Street, then right on College Avenue. Turn right onto Fall Creek Parkway.
Take I-74 and merge onto I-465 North, then take Exit 17 (West 38th Street) and turn right.
According to the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center website, there are more than 7,000 paved parking spaces over 250 acres. It costs $10 per vehicle (cash or cards accepted) to park. Look for signage or parking attendants for help if you need ADA-accessible parking.
Indiana State Fair food 2024
Summer in Indiana means deep-fried delicacies, but also much more. The Taste of the Fair contest includes 43 dishes, including new takes on classic fair favorites (funnel cakes, nachos and hot dogs).
Fairgoers can vote on their favorites during the fair. Last year's winner was street corn pizza from Swain's Concessions, which also earned the crown in 2022 with its pickle pizza.
? Read more about the food at this year's fair.
Indiana State Fair concerts 2024
Each year, the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage hosts stars from a variety of backgrounds and genres. Here's a list of who's coming this year. (All performances start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.)
Aug. 2: FogHat (replacing Three Dog Night)
Aug. 3: Celebrating the Beatles at the Indiana State Fair, featuring Hard Days Night - Beatles Tribute (2 p.m.) and Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney (7 p.m.)
Aug. 4: Gladys Knight
Aug. 6: 84 - Van Halen Tribute
Aug. 7: Buddy Guy
Aug. 8: Dogstar
Aug. 9: Bell Biv DeVoe
Aug. 10: Fearless: The Taylor Swift Tribute
Aug. 11: Blessing Offor (2 p.m.)
Aug. 11: Newsboys
Aug. 13: Latino-Fest, featuring Con La Sonora Dinamita de Colombia
Aug. 14: Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, Jay & The Americans, The Association, Badfinger ft. Joey Molland, The Vogues and the Cowsills
Aug. 15: Sublime with Rome
Aug. 16: Gary Allan
Aug. 17: Lita Ford
Aug. 18: Gospel Music Festival featuring Yolanda Adams
? Read more about this year's performers.
Others are reading: Indiana State Fair to fete Beatles 60 years after band played sold-out shows at fairgrounds
How to get tickets to the Indiana State Fair
Single-day tickets are available for $13, not including parking, and packages are available.
? Click here for more ticket information and to purchase them.
Experience the Indiana State Fair on the cheap
? Indiana State Fair deals: Save money with these 2024 freebies and discounts
? Eat at the fair: New value menu designed to help stretch food bucks
Map of the Indiana State Fairgrounds
What animals will be at the fair? Where can I find the 4-H schedule?
Visit the Indiana State Fair website to find your favorite animals and view the schedule of events.
When is Indiana State Fair Band Day?
Preliminaries for the marching band competition take place at 9 a.m. Aug. 2 at the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children. Children younger than 6 are free with fair admission.
? Find out more about band day
Indiana State Fair 2024 theme
This year's theme, The Art & Nature of Fun, is a partnership with fair sponsor Newfields.
? Read more about this year's theme.
How many people attend the Indiana State Fair?
In 2023, the fair reported that 840,414 people attended the fair, a slight increase from the previous year.
2024 state fair has a farm-themed splash pad
? 2024 Indiana State Fair: 15 new things to do beyond the food and rides
? State fair splash pad: Indiana State Fair just unveiled its new splash pad. Here's other places you can cool off
Indiana State Fair history
The Indiana State Fair is so much more than the Midway, 4-H and fried food. Read about its past in the links below.
Indiana State Fair: Fair history from plane crash shows to all the dairy
Indiana State Fair history: 10 cent hotdogs and 50 cent admission: State Fair prices through the years
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana State Fair 2024: What's happening, what to eat, what to do