INDIANAPOLIS — Aug. 7 is WTHR day at the Indiana State Fair.
Chuck Lofton, Lindsey Monroe, Matt Standridge and Sean Ash will all be out at Coliseum Plaza at the fairgrounds.
There will be giveaways for fairgoers who watch the Olympics in the plaza.
Our Live Doppler 13 weather team will be out at the plaza from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
2024 Indiana State Fair opens on Aug. 2
Before vendors opened for the day and the sun came up, 13News caught up with sisters Harper and Harley Henney.
"At home, we raise cattle and sell them across the country, so leading the cattle and showing cattle is kind of something we've always done, and I don't know what we'd do without it," Harper said.
13News also spoke to some of this year's first fairgoers.
"Less crowds, and we get to navigate what's going on," Josie Hulce said.
The fairgrounds added a new splash pad, new basketball court and artwork inside Newfield's Artscape.
"Every year, we take a theme, and we elevate what that theme is," said Cindy Hoye, executive director of the Indiana State Fair Commission. "This year, it's the art and nature of fun, and we're celebrating with Newfields, our partner along 38th Street."
The emphasis continues to be on agriculture year after a year for families like the Henneys.
"Just a reminder not to take for granted where it all began when we conveniently throw together dinner. There's a lot of work that went into this to get it onto your fork," Gov. Eric Holcomb said.
The fair will run from Friday, Aug. 2 through Sunday, Aug. 18, and will be closed on Mondays.
New food at the fair
Fairgoers can expect typical fair favorites like ears of corn, chicken legs and elephant ears, but fair officials announced 43 new food items for the 2024 Indiana State Fair.
New offerings include Cinnamon Toast Crunch Funnel Cake, Spicy Pickle Pizza, Indiana Pork Riblets, Peanut Butter & Jelly Chicken Wings, Dill Pickle Dr Pepper and Sweet Tea Slushy.
PHOTOS: 2024 Indiana State Fair foods
Click here to see the full list.
Entertainment lineup
Free with fair admission, fairgoers can see a concert every night of the Indiana State Fair at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage.
On Thursday, Aug. 1, a State Fair spokesperson said Three Dog Night would not perform on opening night due to an illness. Instead English band Foghat (of "Slow Ride" fame) will perform.
All concerts start at 7:30 p.m., unless noted otherwise:
- Friday, Aug. 2:
Pop-rock band Three Dog NightUPDATE: Foghat - Saturday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m.: Hard Day's Night Beatles Tribute
- Saturday, Aug. 3: Live and Let Die, the Music of Paul McCartney
- Sunday, Aug. 4: R&B singer Gladys Knight
- Tuesday, Aug. 6: 84 - Van Halen Tribute
- Wednesday, Aug. 7: Blues guitarist and singer Buddy Guy
- Thursday, Aug. 8: Rock band Dogstar (guitarist/vocalist Bret Domrose, drummer Robert Mailhouse and bassist Keanu Reeves)
- Friday, Aug 9: R&B group Bell Biv DeVoe
- Saturday, Aug. 10: Fearless: The Taylor Swift Tribute
- Sunday, Aug. 11 at 2 p.m.: Christian singer-songwriter Blessing Offor
- Sunday, Aug. 11: Christian rock band Newsboys
- Tuesday, Aug. 13: Latino-Fest En La Feria Del Estado De Indiana presented by Radio Latina 107.1 FM feat. Con La Sonora Dinamita de Colombia
- Wednesday, Aug. 14: The Happy Together Tour, featuring The Turtles, Jay & The Americans, The Association, Badfinger ft. Joey Molland, The Vogues and The Cowsills
- Thursday, Aug. 15: Rock band Sublime with Rome
- Friday, Aug. 16: Country singer Gary Allan
- Saturday, Aug. 17: Rock guitarist and singer Lita Ford
- Sunday, Aug. 18: The Gospel Music Festival, featuring singer Yolanda Adams
2024 Indiana State Fair Hoosier Lottery Free Stage performers
RELATED: Here are the acts performing on the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage at the 2024 Indiana State Fair
Deals, discounts at the fair
Whether you're a thrill-seeker, a fair foodie or a family looking for affordable fun — there's something for everyone!
Here are some of this year’s Indiana State Fair greatest value options:
Discount days and themed days
- $2 Tuesdays - $2 gate admission, $2 rides and $2 food options at each food stand is back! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Aug. 6 and Tuesday, Aug. 13.
- Military & First Responders’ Day - First responders, current and former military and their families will receive free admission with valid ID presented at the gate on Wednesday, Aug. 7.
- BMV Discount Day - Fairgoers who get a printed or digital voucher from in.gov/bmv will get 50% their admission on Thursday, Aug. 8.
- IndyStar Free Ticket - Check the IndyStar on Monday, Aug. 12 for a free ticket, redeemable at the gates on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
- AAA Day - AAA cardholders will receive free admission with a valid AAA membership card presented at the gate on Thursday, Aug. 15. One valid card per person.
Advance deals
You can purchase your tickets, parking pass and midway wristband in advance online here. All advance discounts end Thursday, Aug. 1 at 11:59 p.m.
- Advance discount admission tickets - Buy your advance discount fair tickets before Aug. 1 at 11:59 p.m. and save 20% off gate admission.
- Advance discount parking pass - Buy your advance discount fair parking before Aug. 1 at 11:59 p.m. and save 20% off paying at the gate.
- Advance discount midway wristbands - Buy your advance midway wristbands before Aug. 3 at 11:59 p.m. and SAVE 38% off paying onsite.
- Advance discount family four pack - Family four packs include (1) parking pass and (4) admission tickets to the 2024 Indiana State Fair. If you buy it before Aug. 1 at 11:59 p.m., you will save 30% off gate admission.
- Advance foodie family four pack - Foodie family four packs include (1) parking pass, (4) admission tickets to the 2024 Indiana State Fair and $50 Fair Bucks. If you buy it before Aug. 1 at 11:59 p.m., you will save 30% off gate admission.
Daily deals
- $5 Value Menu - You will be able to eat an array of foods without breaking the bank. From savory classics to sweet indulgences, there are plenty of options available for $5 or less. For a full menu of those items, click here.
- Hoosier Lottery Free Stage - There will be 17 different artists performing at this year's fair. To see a full list of the performers, click here.
- 100 free things to do at the fair - The fair has curated a list of 100 free things to do at the fair. From watching the Indiana State Fair Parade, to meeting and petting baby goats to marveling at a giant cheese sculpture, there will always be something to do. Make it a challenge and see how many of the items you can check off across the duration of the fair!
Additional ways to save
- Bike to the fair: Ride your bicycle to the fair and save $1 off admission.
- Tractor shuttle rides: Fairgoers can ride a tractor shuttle for free transportation around the grounds.
Inspecting the rides
Ride inspections were complete Thursday, Aug. 1 as inspectors made sure the amusement rides are safe for everyone.
Inspectors are checking every screw, pulling on every chain and making sure the ride is level.
"We will look at every single ride to ensure that the safety features are working properly so the public is safe at all times." said Von Scott, who is the deputy chief for elevators and amusement park rides in Indiana.
According to Scott, his team is making sure every ride is safe.
"We're out here for eight hours, two days in a row, to ensure that everything's done correctly." Scott said.
However, the inspections don't stop there. Scott said his office has people at the fair every day.
The Indiana State Fair is bringing back its unaccompanied minor policy, meaning after 6 p.m., anyone under 18 needs to be with someone over 21.
"We will be taking their IDs and checking IDs for our matters" said Leroy Lewis III, a communications representative for the Indiana State Fair.
The fair will run from Friday, Aug. 2 through Sunday, Aug. 18, and will be closed on Mondays.