Indiana State Fair 2012 - a few of my favorite things

There are still (only!) three days left of the Indiana State Fair.
Here is a photo essay of a few of my favorite things:http://www.punchnels.com/visuals/a-year-at-the-fair/

Indiana State Fair Punchlist

My favorite magazine - Punchnel's let me write about my favorite event - the Indiana State Fair. You can read it right here: http://www.punchnels.com/punchlist/punchlist-week-of-8612/

It's a good day.

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 9 no 16 - the Indiana State Fair Edition

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

I love this time of year – Indiana State Fair and all sorts of festivals are popping up. There is music everywhere. I always wish I had planned ahead to take some vacation days. I am going to try to keep up my streak of going to the State Fair every day. I’ll be the one with the goofy grin and dairy cow ring.

Indiana State Fair
Year of the Dairy Cow
Friday, August 3 – Sunday, August 19
gates 8:00 a.m. (6:00 a.m. for balloon race) – 9:00 p.m. Sun-Thurs, 9:30 Fri-Sat
all-ages, gates, $7 advance (CVS, Walmart, box office and more), $10 gate, $18 multi-day passes available

If you’ve even met me, you know I’m an Indiana State Fair junkie. As I kid visiting the State Fair was our version of a family vacation. I still can’t believe that I live close enough to walk or ride my bike. For the last several years I’ve made it to the Fair every single day and I intend to keep the streak alive.

It doesn’t matter what day you go – there are always plenty of free things to do once you get in the Fairgrounds. I spend big chunks of my time at Pioneer Village. The Village is as old as I am (you’ll have to visit the northeast part of the Fairgrounds to figure that out) and features demonstrations of Indiana farm life even older than I am. You can find old-timey music each day on the stage in the Pioneer Village Barn and check out the WLS Barn Dance Tribute Show on Friday, August 10, and Saturday, August 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Pioneer Village Opry House.

Make sure that you check on the 4-H projects in the halls in the northwest part of the Fairgrounds. The Open Show (adults and kids can enter projects) is housed in the Ellison Bakery Home and Family Arts Building. The building also has demonstrations and fashion shows through out the run of the Fair. One of my absolute favorite things that happens on the Home and Family Arts Main Stage is the “Introduction to Royalty, County Fair Queens.” The Queens from each county are introduced wearing something that shows their interests. I love how they show off their personalities. I’ve seen the girls wear sports uniforms, costumes representing their home counties, and fancy dresses they’ve made.

While the big name music shows have moved to the Banker’s Life Fieldhouse this year, there is plenty of great free music each day. I’m looking forward to REO Speedwagon on Monday, August 6, 7:00 p.m. on the Free Stage (northwest part of the Grounds) and Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band on Saturday, August 11, 8:00 p.m. on the Free Stage.

There are several other changes in the Fair this year. For the first time multi-day passes are available. For $18 you can purchase a pass that is good for three separate days. And did you know that you can get your hand stamped for a pass-out if you’re coming back later on the same day? This year there is a $5 charge for parking in the infield. You can avoid that by parking on the Rural Street side of Glendale Mall (62^nd and Keystone) and taking the free, air-conditioned shuttle bus. The shuttle leaves every twenty minutes from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. each day of the Fair. You can also arrive via foot or bike on the Monon Trail. Pedal & Park will watch your bike in their corral by Gate 18 and you’ll receive a $1 off voucher for your admission to the Fair. The Fair Train runs from Fishers (Government Center at 116^th Street) every 90 minutes starting at 8:30 each day (adults $9, children 2-12 $6). I’ve always wanted to ride the train but couldn’t justify driving to Fishers to take the train when I could walk there in 10 minutes. My dear brother pointed out that I could ride round trip from the Fairgrounds to Fishers and back instead. I’ll make sure I do that this year.

Make sure you visit IndianaStateFair.com for more details and grab a program on your way in. It is chockfull of information about entertainment, where and when to see your favorite animals, shows, competitions, and other information.

I’ll see you there!

Indy CD & Vinyl 10^th Anniversary Celebrations
Saturday, August 4, 2012 (11:00 – 9:00) – All-day sale and performances
Tuesday, August 7, 2012 (7 p.m.)– Reverend Peyton and His Big Damn Band

806 Broad Ripple Ave

all-ages, free,  

I wish there was more space to tell you exactly how cool Indy CD & Vinyl is, but it would take up with whole paper. You’ll just have to pop in and see for yourself.

They are celebrating their 10^th anniversary with a bash on Saturday, August 4 featuring big sale and awesome in-store concerts – by some of my favorite folks, no less: Richard Edwards (of Margot & The Nuclear So & So’s), Hotfox, Rocketbot, and Adam James Sorenson.

On Tuesday August 7, Reverend Peyon & His Big Damn Band will play a special record release show at 7:00 p.m. I strongly suggest that you not miss the chance to see them in such an intimate venue.

www.indycdandvinyl.com
margotandthenuclearsoandsos.net
hotfoxmusic.bandcamp.com
www.adamjamessorensen.com
www.bigdamnband.com

Steven Pratt Punk Rock Wake and Benefit Show
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Melody Inn
3826 N. Illinois Street
21+, doors 7:00/show 9:00, $5 donation

I wish I could say that I knew Steven better. He was a great drummer and I enjoyed his performances in several punk/hard core bands, - The Retreads, The Slammies, Drunko, The Mighty John Wayne’s, and a couple with names not suitable for a family newspaper. Steven moved to Hollywood a few years ago and I enjoyed keeping up with him on facebook.

He died after an altercation after band practice in a warehouse space in Los Angles. His family and friends are holding a wake for Steve at the Melody Inn. Steven’s old bands are playing and there will be a mic open for telling Steven stories.

Bands performing:

Phony Beatlemania (Clash Cover Band featuring members from America Owns The Moon, We Are Hex, Gestalts, and The Happy Thoughts), The Mighty John Wayne's, and Drunko. 

www.melodyindy.com
stevetprattmemorialfund.chipin.com

Indy Hostel Folk Festival
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Indy Hostel
4903 Winthrop Ave
all-ages, 12.50 presale/$15 at door/ read below for family pricing, 3:00 – 11:00 p.m.

If you haven’t been to the Hostel yet, now is your chance. And it’s just up the Monon Trail from the State Fair Grounds, so you can take a page from my book and do both things in one day. It’s fun - try it! Not only will there be great music, but it’s one of the shadiest yards in town. 

This is the second year for the Indy Hostel Folk Festival and it promises to be even bigger and better. The Hostel has added a second outdoor stage so the music will never end. The Spud Puppies are headlining the show. Other acts include  Old Truck Revival, Bro Slaw, Chicago-based Adam James Sorensen, Barbara Bell and the Whipstitch Sallies.

The day promises to be family-friendly with activities planned for the kiddos. You can bring your own drinks and snacks (they’ll pack your elephant ear from the Fair to go if you ask). There might be a food truck or two also. Bring blankets or chairs for seating.

I am often asked about the Hostel. People often confuse a hostel with a half-way or ‘flop’ house.' It’s quite the opposite. The Hostel is bright and airy and full of adventurous travelers, often from other countries. Pop in anytime for a tour of the dormitory-style lodging. The neighborhood is great – and I’m not just saying that because I live down the street.

You can purchase presale tickets for 12.50 at Indy Hostel. Kids under 8 years-old free, 8-12 just $5.00.

www.indyhostel.us

Locals Only Benefit Show
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Locals Only
2449 E. 56^th Street
21+, $8.00, doors at 4:30

The countdown has begun for the August 18^th ending of Locals Only being in their current space. The proceeds from this all-day concert will go to help Locals Only in their quest to open in a new venue. There will be the always-excellent food available, cleaning out the bar drink specials, local art on display. 

The musical line up is:

5:00-5:50 Ed Trauma (DJ)
5:50-6:15 El Carnicero (DJ)
6:15-6:35 Mic Sol & Ace One
6:40-7:25 Audio Recon
7:40-8:05 s.a.i.n.t. RECON
8:20-8:50 Rhinoceros Beetle
9:10-9:45 Cut Camp
10:00-10:45 Max Allen Band
11:05-11:50 Blackberry Jam
12:10-12:55 Harley Poe
12:55-1:10 DJ Ridge
1:10-1:40 ATFU w/ Eratic
1:40-2:10 Heavy Gun

Come out to salute one of the biggest supporters of local music in our great city.

localsindy.com

Sausagefest
Friday, August 17 & Saturday, August 18, 2012
St. Thomas Aquinas
4600 N. Illinois
all-ages, free

Yep, it’s a festival that features sausage, beer, and music. What’s not to love? The beer brewed by SunKing, the sausage is from Goose the Market, Gunthrop Farms, and L.E. Kincaid, and the musical lineup includes local bands. There are games for both kiddos and adults.

Buy a beer mug and tickets for food and beer when you arrive and dive right in! I don’t have enough room to list the full music lineup, but it includes Flatland Harmony Experiment, Dugan Brothers, 3:1, Bill Rumely's Class Trip and more.