Friday, August 7, 2015 – Opening Day
College ID Day – For the first time ever, admission to the Fair will be free to college students when they show their active college student ID. College day is the first of eight other discount days.
| 6:15 AM | The Giant Hot Air Balloon Launch | Join us for this annual event, free with paid Fair admission, in the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand at sunrise on opening day. |
| 8:30 AM | Opening Ceremonies | Dignitaries and creative contest winners will join Indiana State Fair leadership to kick off the 2015 Indiana State Fair Year of the Farmer presented by Dow AgroSciences in the NEW Plaza in front of the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. |
| 10AM & 2PM | Calgary Stampede Show Band | Following the hot air balloon launch, the Calgary Stampede Show Band will perform two FREE shows in the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand. |
| 11AM | Ribbon Cutting for Habitat for Humanity Ag Home Builds | This Indiana State Fair tradition has continued to grow so this year the team is tackling two homes for two families. Don’t miss this exciting tradition on the north side of the Fairgrounds. |
| Noon- 11 PM | Ride Survival in the Midway | For just $20 get unlimited rides in the Midway now through August 9. |
| 3 PM | Gold Medal Flour Cookie Contest | Home & Family Arts Culinary Stage |
| 3 PM
5 PM 7 PM |
Xpogo Stunt Team
|
Xpogo Stunt Team athletes create crowds in an instant and keep them engaged until the final bounce. They perform three shows daily in the Family Fun Park. |
| 1 PM
3:30 PM 6 PM |
The Stars of the Peking Acrobats
|
Hailing from People’s Republic of China, The Peking Acrobats tour the world and will perform three shows daily in Dow AgroSciences Celebration Park. |
| 7:30 PM | Indigo Girls | Together Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have written, arranged, recorded and performed music for over 25 years. The Indigo Girls will perform a free concert on the Free Stage in the Dow AgroSciences Celebration Park.
|
| 8 PM | World’s Largest Male Hog Contest
Champion Sow and Litter Contest |
A fair fan favorite for all ages, stop by the Swine Barn and introduce yourself to this year’s winners. |
| 9 PM | Light Up the Night pres. by Reynolds Farm Equipment | To kick off Opening Night of the Indiana State Fair for the first time fairgoers can enjoy Light Up the Night pres. by Reynolds Farm Equipment, an illuminated tractor parade in the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand with the featured Farmer, Valerie Duttlinger and the Hot Air Balloon Night Glow. |
Featured Farmer
- Who: Valerie Duttlinger
- Where: Gentryville, IN (Spencer County)
- Type: Swine Farmer, 700 sow – plus corn, soybean, wheat
- Day: Friday, August 7
- Fun Fact: Valerie travels to China to help producers, as their operation sells animals to pork producers in other countries like China, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines.