7 days left, 12 reasons to go to Indiana State Fair

If you haven’t been to the Indiana State Fair yet this year, you’ve still got seven days to take in the sights, sounds and thrills that are part of the fair. Here are 12 reasons I think you should head to the Fair before it heads out:

1. Funny lumberjacks: The 30-minute Timberworks Lumberjack show, performed several times each day, is a combination of brute strength, power tools and appreciable humor.
2. Magical golf: Ok, really it’s miniature golf, but my 6-year-old calls it “magical golf.” It’s in the FFA Pavilion, out of the way of the sun, and it’s free!
3. Racing pigs: Who said pigs are slow, lazy creatures? Check out Hedrick’s Racing PIgs in the Riley Fun Park and you might just change your tune.
4. Carveable cheese: Ice sculptures just might be a thing of the past when people find out about the artistic stylings of The Cheese Lady who carved a massive state-fair themed scene out of 1,400 pounds of cheese in the Pioneer Our Land Pavilion.
5. Fried imagination: Let’s not get hung up on calories and nutritional value. Instead let’s concentrate on the imagination it takes to come up with deep fried oreos and chocolate covered bacon.
6. Midway deals: Special $25 wrist band deals are available for almost every remaining day of the fair. Click here for details.
7. Hot roasted corn: Nothing says “State Fair” to me more than walking around with an ear of hot, roasted, buttered corn with the husk still attached. I like to get mine from the Lions and the Kiwanis booths.
8. There’s more than corn in Indiana: Head to the Grand Hall for the Indiana Space Travels exhibit. You’ll be amazed at how instrumental the Hoosier State has been in U.S. space technology. See how much you weigh in space, check out a prototype pod for commercial space travel and try your hand at maneuvering a robotic arm just like the astronauts use.
9. 4-H fabulousness: There is more to 4-H than farm animals. Duck into the air-conditioned 4-H buildings in Celebration Park and be amazed at the handiwork and craftsmanship of Indiana youth displayed in sewing, woodworking, cake decorating, electrical and photography projects and more.
10. Animal magnetism: Where else can you get up close and personal with the animals featured on the Fisher Price See-n-Say? Cows, horses, pigs, chickens, sheep. Just watch your step or you’ll be saying more than “moo, oink and baa.”
11. I scream, you scream, we all scream for the Dairy Bar: Manned by members of the Indiana Dairy Council, the Dairy Bar serves up some of the best food, at the best prices, at the fair. Milkshakes, hand-dipped ice cream, grilled cheese sandwiches and mozzarella sticks make the Dairy Bar a particular family-friendly stop.
12. WFMS Fair Train: Hop aboard the WFMS Fair Train at the Indiana Transportation Museum in Fishers and leave the driving to someone else. We rode it for the first time this year. My kids were thrilled for their first train ride. I especially appreciated the appeal on the way home, when I was dog-tired from a day of fun. The 30-minute ride back to Fishers was just long enough to recharge me for the drive home.