‘Always a Hit!’ State Fair mixes baseball theme for all visitors August 7-23

​By Al Stilley, Editor

 “Always a Hit!” is the unique home run and hometown theme of the 168th Indiana State Fair that opens Friday, August 7, and runs through August 23.

Fair officials want all Hoosiers and out-of-state visitors to enjoy the blend of Indiana traditions and big hits at the State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th Street.

Opening day begins with opening ceremonies at the train depot at 8:30 a.m., Friday that features the new Indiana State Fair train, see the crowd-pleasing Band Day in front of the main grandstand and the Motown sounds of the Four Tops and the Spinners at the free stage.

And there’s more to choose from with 4-H and open class showmanship activities, animal town, CANstruction exhibit, FFA country market, Indiana History Train, live cheese carving, tortoise feeding, Big Top Circus and plenty of activities coupled with always popular State Fair food.

Everywhere fair-goers journey on the grounds, they will find a baseball theme because the fair’s presenting sponsor is the Indianapolis Indians. It’s a unique pairing of the historic fair and longtime Indianapolis professional baseball team established in 1902. Fans can enjoy playing on the new wiffle ball mini-Victory Field.

“The Indiana State Fair has always celebrated the best our state has to offer,” said Ray Allison, Indiana State Fair executive director. “Nothing celebrates America and Indiana quite like baseball and the State Fair. We are excited to partner with the Indianapolis Indians to celebrate America’s pastime and our nation’s 250th birthday at the 2026 Indiana State Fair.”

Indianapolis Indians president and CEO Randy Lewandowski stated, “Two of central Indiana’s longest-standing summer traditions are working together to make this one especially memorable.”

The Hoosier Lottery main grandstand is the site of the hot air balloon race and cheerleading competition, Saturday, Aug. 8; tractor pull, Sunday, Aug. 9; Grand Circuit harness racing, Aug. 12 and Aug. 19.

Special foods are always tasty treats for fairgoers. Interesting specialties are elephant ears, bacon jalapeno honey bun burgers, blue raspberry milkshakes, bananas foster cold brew floats, cookie butter Biscoff funnel cakes, Corn Dog Beer by Sun King Brewery, hot Cheeto fried Oreos, junkyard SPAM dogs, Nashville hot fried pickles, vegan home run sliders, and more.

The full lineup of performers at the newly renovated Hoosier Lottery Free Stage: Aug. 7, Four Tops and The Spinners; Aug. 8: Tusk – The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute; Aug. 9, Josiah Queen; Aug. 11, Clayton Anderson; Aug. 12, Vixen and Warrant, Aug. 13, Busta Rhymes; Aug. 14: Grand Funk Railroad; Aug. 15, DJ Golden Hour – A Tribute to Demon Hunters; Aug, 16, Trace Adkins; Aug. 18, Los Sementales De Nuevo Leon; Aug. 19, Happy Together Tour; Aug. 20, Gene Simmons; Aug. 21, Sammy Kershaw and Craig Morgan; Aug. 22, Don McLean, and Aug. 23, Tasha Cobbs Leonard.

Hours are Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., closed on Mondays.
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The midway opens at noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sunday, 11 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday, Aug. 23 (for the last Sunday of the fair).