INDIANAPOLIS: Let’s be honest: Food, rides and tradition are mostly what bring Hoosiers to the Indiana State Fair.
From the jumbo fried pork tenderloins and buttery corn on the cob, to the angus beef patties smashed between two glazed doughnuts, fairgoers crave it all. So yes, food is a priority, but this year’s fair will bring the unexpected.
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Expect an extensive lineup of musical acts and fair rides, but you should also be on the lookout for some of this year’s special highlights:
1, 2, 3 … spit?
Think you’ve got what it takes to win the watermelon seed spitting contest? It may sound gross, but all you have to do it spit your watermelon seed farther than other competitors and you win. Dozens of fairgoers gather around to cheer on participants to see who has the best spitting game. What’s the prize? You’ll have to enter to contest to find out.
Taste and create
Who would’ve thought you’d be holding a beer in one hand and a paint brush in another at the State Fairgrounds? While this scenario may seem to end with a drunken canvas painting, the State Fair is looking to chip away at your creativity. This Taste and Create exhibit gets you an acrylic masterpiece as you sip Indiana beer, wine and corn whiskey all day (or night) long – whichever you prefer.
Can you survive?
New to this year’s fair: Zombies. Yes, that’s right. These bloody, roaming creatures will help attendees prepare for the worst kinds of emergencies, including a zombie apocalypse (say what?). Despite their gruesome demeanor, they are actually there to help you. Purdue Extension’s “Don't Be a Zombie - Be Prepared” exhibit consists of a walk-though maze and interactive video game designed to simulate a zombie apocalypse. The thrill ends in an underground storm shelter well-stocked with emergency supplies. The exhibit is meant to help participants learn the importance of preparing for when disaster strikes.
Experience the monster
Not your monster pork tenderloin sandwich, but rather monster trucks. You may want to put down your fried Oreos for just a second and hear the roar at this year’s Monster Truck Nationals. Watch colossal monster trucks including “Raminator” and “Big Foot” dominate the course.
