Indiana State Fair Celebrates “Heroes in the Heartland”

The big fair in Indianapolis runs August 2 through 18.

Indiana State Fair

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Rides and exhibits? Fun and unique takes on fried foods? Goat yoga? It must be time for the Indiana State Fair.

The Indiana State Fair begins Friday, August 2 and continues through August 18 at the state fairgrounds in Indianapolis. The fair has been running since 1852, celebrating Hoosier spirit at the state’s agricultural heritage.

Daily fair admission is $13, with children age 5 and under free. Parking at the fairgrounds is $8 per vehicle.

Fair managers are once again promising food, fun, family events, concerts, a circus, and a whole lot more. The fair has published a list of 100 free things to do at the fair with paid admission.

This year’s theme is “Heroes in the Heartland.” Throughout the 17-day event, the Indiana State Fair will salute Hoosier farmers, first responders, educators, members of the Armed Forces, and many others who keep us safe. Additionally, each day during the fair, Marvel Character and DC Comics Superheroes will be highlighted.

The Anderson Family Fun Park in the fairgrounds will be the site of 31 tribute towers making up a war memorial featuring the photographs of 5,000 service members and honoring the fallen in the post-9/11 era.

Seventeen concerts are scheduled at the fair’s free stage, including artists such as Ace Frehley, David Nail, Boyz II Men, Everclear, and The Guess Who. The full schedule of shows is below.

Last year’s fair drew 860,131 guests, with a single day record of 91,000. The overall record crowd of 978,000 was set in 2013.

The 2019 Indiana State Fair Free Stage concerts

All shows start at 7:30 pm unless otherwise noted

• Ace Frehley – Friday, August 2
• Entertainment TBD – Saturday, August 3
• Chase Rice – Sunday, August 4
• Air Supply – Monday, August 5
• Indiana Wind Symphony – Tuesday, August 6
• SWITCHFOOT – Wednesday, August 7
• KC & The Sunshine Band – Thursday, August 8
• Pop 2000 Tour - Hosted by Lance Bass ft: O-Town, Aaron Carter, Ryan Cabrera, Tyler Hilton – Friday, August 9
• David Nail – Saturday, August 10
• Matthew West and Francesca Battistelli – Sunday, August 11
• Happy Together Tour (featuring The Turtles, Chuck Negron formerly of Three Dog Night, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Buckinghams, The Classics IV, and The Cowsills) - Monday, August 12
• Sixteen Candles – Tuesday, August 13
• Boyz II Men – Wednesday, August 14
• Melissa Etheridge – Thursday, August 15
• Everclear – Friday, August 16
• The Guess Who – Saturday, August 17
• Gospel Music Festival Headlined by Mary Mary - Sunday, August 18* - 3 pm show