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.