Top 10 Things I’ve Learned Working for the Indiana State Fair

Entry by Courtney Sampson, Marketing and Communications Intern, Indiana State Fair

Our Great Indiana State Fair is all about food, family, fun, and farmers – I added the farmers. We’re more than just sweet corn and midway rides – although I enjoy both! Education is one of the values the Indiana State Fair holds near-and-dear – the young, the old, and everyone in-between can learn something while attending the fair. I’m 2 ½ weeks into my internship with the fair, and I’d love to share with you some of the things I have learned thus far!

Top Ten Things I’ve Learned Working for the Indiana State Fair

10.) There’s such a thing as deep-fried butter & deep-fried sushi. On the other hand, the Indiana State Fair was the first state fair in the nation to eliminate trans-fat cooking oil.
9.) Horses (and their trainers) are weather-resistant…or maybe weather resilient
8.) I love data entry…and our iPhone/Droid app will be FREE this year.
Therefore, if you have a Smartphone and you’re going to the State Fair, please download it to put all of our hard work to good use!
7.) Birds of a feather flock together…well, if you’re an Indiana Pork Farmer, that is. Did you know 94 percent of Indiana’s Pork Farms are family-owned and operated?
6.) Pigs can get a sunburn, and that’s one of the reasons why they roll in the mud — to protect themselves from the heat!
5.) There’s a TON of ways to cook pork! Just check out the Indiana State Fair Signature Food Contest entries by clicking here: http://www.indystar.com/article/99999999/LIVING07/399990586
By the way, you can vote for your favorite until June 25th and try them all at this year’s fair!
4.) The Indiana State Fair Queen is a busy girl. Her name is Denae Pyle, and she is the official hostess of the State Fair. If you make it out to your county fairsthis summer, there is a chance Denae will be there. Not to mention, you can catch her during the State Fair’s 17-day run, August 6 – 22. It’s tougher than I thought to be a State Fair Queen! Brains, beauty, a great personality, community involvement, and lots of 4-H knowledge definitely add to Denae’s charm.
3.) I’ve learned who Drake is! If you haven’t heard, the New York Times has dubbed him “The New Face of Hip-Hop.” Drake will be performing at this year’s State Fair Friday, August 13. I also learned the Beatles dropped by for two sold-out shows in the mid-60’s.
2.) People live at the Fairgrounds. Seriously, I don’t know where I thought they stayed, but there are hundreds of spaces to reserve for RV’s and campers.
1.) Our Cattle Barn is the largest of its kind in the entire world. There are approximately 4.5 acres under one roof. We’re also home to the Junior National Hereford Expo, the largest Hereford event in the world!

There you have it, my Top Ten Things I’ve Learned about the Indiana State Fair (so far!) Now go – tell all your friends! Sign-up for Jeopardy! Or at least come to this year’s Indiana State Fair to experience the food, family, and fun for yourself!