The Indiana State Fair this year is shining a spotlight on the Hoosiers who help put food on the table as part of its “Year of the Farmer.”
The State Fair’s theme is typically a product or animal – that includes the Year of Corn, of Pigs, Dairy Cows, and Tomatoes. But State Fair spokesperson Lesley Gordon says this year, the focus will be on what ties all those things together – the farmer.
“So we’ll have 17 different farmers that we’ll bring in each day from a different commodity group, showcasing what they do, what their families do, to help feed our nation,” Gordon says.
That will include an Indianapolis urban farmer, corn and soybean growers, livestock farmers, and even fish producers.
Gordon says the Beer and Wine Exhibition, which allows fairgoers to try alcohol from around the state in a contained location within the Grand Hall, will be expanding because of the positive feedback received in its debut last year.
“That was both from vendors and visitors, so yeah we’re adding a few breweries and wineries and including some meads this year to,” she says.
The Fair opens Friday – and Hoosiers will have to pay a little more to get in. For the first time in three years, admission prices increased, from $10 to $12.