2018 Indiana State Fair: Tickets, New Foods, Circus, Events, More

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — The 2018 Indiana State Fair wants you to "Step Right Up" to The Greatest 17 Days of Summer, kicking off Friday, Aug. 3 and running through Sunday, Aug. 19 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Fair officials say it's the first time the Indiana State Fair (1202 East 38th Street) is bringing fair-goers a world-class circus. But in addition to this year's circus, there are plenty of new fun events, features and foods to experience, all listed below:

2018 Indiana State Fair theme:

The 2018 Indiana State Fair will feature acrobats, trapeze artists, clowns and more from The Big Top Circus.

Big Top Circus:

The new Big Top Circus presented by Bee Window is free with paid State Fair admission. Fair organizers say The Big Top Circus will be presented in a single-ring with three shows daily - 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m, and seating limited to the first 1,600 people per show on a first come, first serve basis. There is no 1 p.m. performance on Thursdays.

Officials say there will be no exotic animals as the Indiana State Fair is committed to providing world-class entertainment in a safe and welcoming environment.

Fair and features world-class performers such as Bello Nock, also often known as "Bello." Bello is referred to as the "World's Greatest Comic Daredevil" and has been featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for a high wire walk over a cruise ship, he has performed several stunts in New York City, including rappelling off Madison Square Garden and hanging from a helicopter over the Statue of Liberty. Fair officials report he has been included on Time Magazine's list of America's Best Artists and Entertainers.

2018 Indiana State Fair hours:

• Gate hours: Sunday through Thursday - 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday through Saturday - 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Midway hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday - 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday - 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 19 - 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Vendor hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Building and Exhibit hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with exhibit hall opening 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Tickets - Discounted if purchased in advance through Aug. 2.:

• Advance General Admission Tickets: $8, plus convenience fee; Children 5 and under are free.
• Family 4-Packs: 4 General Admission Tickets and 1 Parking Pass for $30.
• Super Family 4 Packs: 4 General Admission Tickets, 1 Parking Pass, $50 in Food Vouchers for $80.

Midway Wristbands - Advance Wristband Sale Online: $20 if you buy before Aug. 5 at 11:59 p.m. Wristbands are $30 on site.

NOTE: **Subaru Skyride is not included with wristband as it costs $5 (4 Midway tickets).

Advance parking: One-time parking pass $5.

Tickets and more can be purchased in advance online.

Promotional days and deals:

• Friday, Aug. 3: Franciscan Health Day
• Saturday, Aug. 4: Education Appreciation Day presented by Indiana Department of Education.
• Sunday, Aug. 5: Ride Safe Indiana Day; The first 100 motorcycles who enter Gate 6 can park on Main Street.
• A fair favorite - $ 2 Tuesdays: Aug. 7 and Aug. 14, presented by the Indiana Secretary of State, when you can enjoy $2 gate admission, $2 Midway rides, and $2 food options.

Patch will update this list with each week's promotional days and deals

Hoosier Lottery Grandstand schedule:

• Friday, Aug. 3: Hot Air Balloon Launch; Light Up the Night Tractor Parade
• Saturday, Aug. 4: Music for All Indiana State Fair Band Day pres. by Music Travel Consultantss

Patch will update this list with each week's grandstand lineup.

Chevrolet Free Stage Schedule:

• Friday, Aug. 3 at 7:30 p.m.: Rick Springfield
• Saturday, Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m.: Natalie Stovall
• Sunday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.: Why Don’t We

Upcoming favorites include Hanson, Kool & the Gang, Randy Houser, Hunter Hayes. Patch will update this list with each week's Chevrolet Free Stage lineup.

Plenty of new delicious foods and more at this year's Indiana State Fair:

• Nearly 20 different new foods: Deep fried chicken and waffle sandwich; BBQ Pork Potachoes; two new grilled cheeses; Birthday cake shake; Deep fried sugar cream pie; peach cider slush; Bison rangoon; Wood fire pizza; gourmet mac n' cheese and so much more. See photos/more details: Indiana State Fair Food
• "Animal Town": An interactive learning experience that showcases a variety of animals including cows, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, llamas, rabbits and chickens, on display all 17 days of the Fair.
• The BulletTrain roller coaster in the Midway
• Supreme Drive: Modeled on the existing Indiana State Fair Grand Drive. The Supreme Drive’s purpose is to recognize the best breeding stock Indiana has to offer by selecting the Supreme and Reserve Supreme 4-H Breeding Ewes, Dairy Females and Gilts under the big lights in the Indiana Farmers Coliseum at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12.

Other Indiana State Fair favorites:

• Indiana State Fair Competitions, Contests: Livestock schedule and competitions, 4-H competitions, Indiana Brewers' Cup, pageants and more.
• The MetroPCS Family Fun Park: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
• Indiana Beer, Wine & Spirits presented by Visit Indiana: Open daily in the Grand Hall across from the Indiana Farmers Coliseum, this venue showcases Indiana beer, wine and spirits with tastings and sales by the glass for fairgoers ages 21 and older. Those younger than 21 must be accompanied by an adult.
• World's Famous Ice Cream Eating Championship: 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5 on the Enough Plaza.
• Subaru Skyride: (refer to note above in wristband section).

>> Complete Indiana State Fair event schedule

Parking and transportation:

• Free State Fair Park & Ride: When you park at Glendale Mall’s Rural Street lot, you can ride the Indiana State Fair shuttle for free, as the shuttle runs every 20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. each day of the Fair.
• Fairgrounds Parking: Parking is available on a first-come, first served basis inside the State Fairgrounds for $5 per vehicle. Enter through Gate 1 off 38th Street, Gate 6 off Fall Creek Parkway or Gate 10 off 42nd Street.
• Ride Safe Indiana Motorcycle Parking Lot: Special designated Motorcycle Parking located in the infield on a first-served basis for $5 per motorcycle.
• State Fair E-Z Park: These $5 lots are located south of 38th Street across from the Main Gate and at the Indiana School for the Deaf on 42nd Street. (Indiana School for the Deaf Parking Lot Hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday).
• Accessible Parking: Accessible parking for persons with disabilities can be found just inside Gates 1, outside of 16, and in the Infield.
• Pedal & Park: Save $1 off Indiana State Fair admission when you bike to the fair and use one of the secured bike racks available on the Monon Trail at 38th Street. Bikers can enter the Fairgrounds through Gate 18 on the Monon Trail. (Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday).
• Lyft: New riders get a free ride to the Fair using code StepRightUp (up to $10). Existing customers will receive a 20% discount on their ride using code StepRightUpIndiana.
• IndyGo Public Transportation: IndyGo Routes 4 & 39 will bring you just steps away from the Indiana State Fairgrounds main entrance on 38th Street. Fare is $1.75 per ride or $4 for an all-day pass. Youth 18 and under and people 65 and older are eligible for reduced fare with proper ID. More: www.IndyGo.net.

For more information on the 163rd Indiana State Fair, including a map, camping info., featured/participating farmers and vendors, visit indianastatefair.com

Video via Indiana State Fair

(Photo by Joey Foley/Getty Images)