Tuesday, August 12, 2008

2008 Indiana State Fair


Yesterday I finally had the opportunity to visit the Indiana State Fair for the very first time. The State Fair is a big deal around here and I was the only person I knew who had never been. It was a beautiful day, right around 80 degrees with very little humidity.

I love the smell of cotton candy! It is one of those smells that immediately triggers childhood memories.







I spent the last hour of my time there just sitting and watching people eat.
Fair food doesn't really tempt me too much; deep fried Oreo or Snickers isn't very appetizing or appealing to me.

Deep fried Pepsi? I wonder how they do that.

I skipped the fried veggies too and had ice cream instead, that is always tempting to me. The chocolate milkshake from the Dairy Barn was delicious.

A mass planting of chili peppers.



A couple of young girls in Pioneer Village.




Getting ready for judging. They were gorgeous, especially exquisite decked out in their finery.

Well, now that I have finally been to the Indiana State Fair, I feel like a real Hoosier!

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love fairs. Your pictures make me feel like I was there too---almost. I'm imagining the excited screams of riders and the smell of popcorn. Now I'm there.

Jane O' said...

I've never been to a state fair either. I do go to county fairs and a neighboring city has a local fair we go to every year. I love Allegan County Fair, especially the Historic Village. It's my favorite place. And then of course there's nothing like the sulky races.
Food? Grilled Italian Sausage, Green Peppers, and Onions on a bun. Can't resist. We sometimes eat them for breakfast if we get there early enough.

Jayne said...

What fun! Love all your photos... feels like we were there with you. Deep fried Pepsi? Uh. OK.

Anonymous said...

I've been to the Texas State Fair, but never to the Virginia. lol Looks like there was something there for everyone. I like that covered bridge and all the pretty blooms you found along the way.

Entangled said...

I went to the Indiana State Fair 10 or so years ago and loved it. The fried food may not be nutritious, but the corndogs were first rate ;-)

Gail said...

Your photos are so vivid and clear...I am liking your new camera, although, you have always had great photos! We missed the local county fairs this year, too hot, but they are a lot of fun...

Gail

Karen said...

The Indiana State Fair is so fun! I love to sit back and watch all the people. I hadn't been for a couple of years.. keep meaning to but.. well busy busy.. Your pictures are great!!!!

Connie said...

I have such fond memories of going to fairs as a child.
Great photos!!

Anonymous said...

Your photos truly paint a story today. They brought back a lot of memories. And I am with you- I'll skip all the fried food for some ice cream anyday!

Anonymous said...

Wow, you guys have a great fair! It looks like a lot of fun!

Mary said...

Your photos remind me of the Delaware State Fair. I didn't feel like a "Delawarian" until I visited the State Fair. Most of the fair highlights included 4-H and slots for gambling.

Your photos portray State Fairs countrywide, I think.

Cotton Candy - I can smell it right now.

Anonymous said...

How exciting! We haven't been able to go this year. I'm glad to know you were able to go and have a good time. I would love to see more pictures. Did you see the HUGE oinker? Were there any piglets? I can almost taste the ice cream now. You sure do seem to appreciate those treasured treats after walking a long time and seeing/smelling all those unusual yet curiously tempting tantalizers. Tam

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

I'm happy for you that you finally got the chance to go to the state fair. Judging by all your lovely pics you had a whale of a time. And I enjoyed the fair too via your blog. :-)

m.e. said...

I loved the county fair as a child in T-town. I can remember growing up in Alberta City and, from our house, being able to see the spot-light that went around and around in the sky ~~ and then finally our folks taking us to the fair. And years later, it was treat to take our kids to the fair and now is a super treat to get to go to the fair with the grandkids. I could almost smell the popcorn and taste the candied apple just looking at your pics. Thanks for sharing!!

Mother Nature said...

It is time for fairs. Ours is being advertised already. I haven't been in a while. It's time for a change. I like your presentation.

Carol Michel said...

Hi Robin. I went to the State Fair this afternoon, and just posted about it. I included a link back to your pictures. You really captured the 'vibrancy' of all the colors!

Carol, May Dreams Gardens

Debbie said...

That looks like a wonderful fair! We try and go to our local fair every year...fried dough, cotton candy, the wonderful animal barns and the circus.

I love the photos of the produce jugding area...my what a lot of wonderful looking things to eat.

Diana said...

Robin - how cool! Thanks for the Fair pictures - I'm so homesick for it. We were there last year for 3 days - my husband's family runs the horse shows -- his Dad and Mom did for years and now his brother and sister do, too. And they raise and show those beautiful Belgian draft horses. His Dad was president of the National Belgian Draft Horse Association for years and years. When we went to visit last year, my husband did the Belgian show announcing in the ring and my daughter and I ran around the Fair for 3 days of fun-packed excitement. Your pictures are great - thanks for sharing!

Joanne said...

We're getting into that great fair season now with the harvests of summer. Love the photographs! The picture of CandyLand brought back childhood memories of playing the boardgame for hours!

Rose said...

I haven't been to the State Fair (Illinois) in years, but I always enjoyed it. A friend of mine just went to the Indiana State Fair and said it was much better than Illinois':) Thanks for giving us the tour!

Anonymous said...

You really captured the atmosphere and I loved every minute. The colors are cheery and inviting. I too cold smell the kettle korn and excitement that makes it a State Fair Event. Bravo!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Robin, the photos you took of the state fair are amazing. I felt like I was there. Our state fair comes every September. When I was a child, I thought it came for my birthday.~~Dee

Jessica said...

ooh you've made me crave fair food:) Love the photos!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

It has been 30+ years since I have been to the State Fair. I must say that the heat is what usually keeps me away. It sounds like you had the perfect weather. The fair is always so colorful and exciting with the competition. Those horses are so handsome. I too like to just people watch at a big event like that. Even that can be entertaining. How does it feel to be a real Hoosier now. ?? tee hee...

Kylee Baumle said...

What great photos of the ISF! Love the chili peppers one and the girls from behind.

nora leona said...

Wonderful photographs!

Anonymous said...

Robin, that looked like a really fun fair! I too wonder how they do deep fried pepsi- I have never heard of it until now. Interesting.