INDIANAPOLIS — The 166th Indiana State Fair wrapped up Sunday and is touting a "historic" year.
Over the 18 days, more than 840,000 people attended the fair. That was a slight increase over 2022 attendance.
The fair points to all the great food, rides and new attractions.
“This year marks such a special moment in our history. Not only did we unveil the World-Class, premiere livestock facility in the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, but we also celebrated the State that Grew the Game of Basketball, with our great partners at Pacers Sports & Entertainment. 2023 was a remarkable and memorable year!” said Cindy Hoye, executive director for the Indiana State Fair Commission.
The fair said many of the vendors and partners reported record sales.
More than 6,700 exhibitors showed or displayed nearly 50,000 animal and other projects.
Also helping things this year were the new safety measures. Those included:
- Unaccompanied Minor Policy: Fairgoers under the age of 18 had to be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or chaperone (age 21+) to enter the Indiana State Fair starting at 6 p.m. daily. This applied to all 18 days of the fair.
- Each adult was able to chaperone up to six individuals and had to remain at the fairgrounds while the minors they were chaperoning were still there.
- Bag Policy: All bags permitted into the State Fair had to be 9”x10”x12” or smaller. All bags were subject to search upon entry to the Fair through metal detectors.
- Weapons of any kind were prohibited at the Indiana State Fair.
- Visitors were screened through metal detectors at entry gates.
For more information on the fair, click here.