Indiana State Fair 2025 Highlights

The Indiana State Fair is set to start on Friday, and this year's event promises a variety of new things for everyone to see and enjoy. Whether you're looking for thrilling rides or delicious food, the fair has something for everyone.

"We have 50 rides at the state fair," Von Scott, an inspector with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, said. "We inspect every single ride that's set up. We just want to make sure that the public comes here and has a really good time."

Foodies will also find plenty to love, as vendors offer everything from jalapeno popper pizza to bacon honey bun burgers. More than 30 different food options will be available throughout the fairgrounds.

"I want to make it a food destination," Joel McWaters, a vendor at this year's fair, exclaimed.

The Indiana State Fair works hard to ensure there's something for everyone, with exhibits and activities like the Harvest Pavilion, Big Top Circus, Hoosier Lottery free stage lineup, wolf show, and strong man performance.

"We've got this great exhibit in the Harvest Pavilion... we brought back our Big Top Circus... we have the Hoosier Lottery free stage lineup... we've got a wolf show... Mighty Mike, strong man... we've got something at every turn," LeRoy Lewis III, Director of Community and Media Engagement with the Indiana State Fairgrounds, said.

For many visitors, the food is what brings them to the fair. "I like to try all the other foods as well," Kelli Gresham said. "And then we always have a few food items that we want to eat while we're here, of course."

The gates to the Indiana State Fair open Friday morning at 8 a.m., and the final day of the fair is August 17.