15 new things at the Indiana State Fair
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The Great American Duck Race swims into the Indiana State Fair soon. Photo: Courtesy of Indiana State Fair
Despite being one of the state's oldest summer traditions, the Indiana State Fair is still bringing plenty of new attractions to the fairgrounds in 2024.
Why it matters: The fair starts in about two weeks, so now is the time to prepare for your trip there.
Driving the news: Indiana State Fair officials on Wednesday announced 15 new additions debuting in 2024, including a splash pad, outdoor movies, duck races and baby animal feeding opportunities.
Zoom in: The theme of the 167th edition of the Indiana State Fair is "The Art & Nature of Fun" presented by Newfields.
- Organizers say the focus is giving fairgoers an immersive experience that embraces how much Hoosiers love the great outdoors and flexing their creative muscles.
Here are 15 new things to check out this year:
🏎️ The Gold and Glory Sweepstakes 100th Anniversary on Aug. 2
- Honoring the Black drivers and mechanics who held an annual auto race on the 1-mile dirt track at the Indiana State Fairgrounds from 1924-1936.
🎸 Celebrating the Beatles on Aug. 3
🏮 The Illuminate! Outdoors lantern exhibit
- An outdoor lantern display with more than 14 oversized structures, including dinosaurs.
🎥 Family-friendly movies at the State Fair Outdoor Theatre
🦆 The Great American Duck Race
- An interactive experience gives attendees the chance to interact with adorable ducks before they take to the water to crown the fastest fowl at the state fair.
🍼 Momma Town live animal birthing center
🦘 Pogo Fred doing pogo stunts
- A 20-time Guinness World record holder, Pogo Fred does X-Games-worthy tricks while bouncing more than 10 feet in the air.
🥇 The WTHR Olympic Zone
🪚 Chris Lantz of Extreme Sculpting
- The award-winning chainsaw artist will make the sawdust fly as he transforms ordinary logs into a work of art.
🤯 The Artscape! Where Imagination Grows exhibit curated by Newfields
🐶 DockDogs presented by T-Mobile
- It's fetch cranked up to 11. A "Big Air Wave" competition will see pooches build up speed and leap from a dock to catch items before splashing in the water.
🐐 The Baby Animal Feeding Adventure
🏍️ The 406FMX High Air Tour
- 406FMX is a freestyle motocross team that puts on a live show of stunts, jumps and thrills for all ages.
🚂 Lore and tall tales at the Indiana History Train
If you go: All are free to fairgoers with paid fair admission. The fair runs from Aug. 2-18 and is open every day except Mondays. Discount fair tickets can be purchased at IndianaStateFair.com.
- Advance general admission is $13, and parking passes are $8.
- A family pack on sale now gets you a parking pass and four general admission tickets for $52.
Go deeper: The Indiana State Fair free concert guide