Scrubbin’ Down and Sprucin’ Indiana’s “250-Acre House”

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

Rumor has it that we’re officially 432 hours away from opening day at the Indiana State Fair. Not that I’m counting or anything, but for those of you who lack math skills (like me), 432 hours = 18 days. Can somebody say, “eeeks?!”

Well, have no fear, Fair fans. For some employees around here, State Fair prep is down to a science! After all, when you work here for 10, 15, 20, even 30+ years, you get into the groove of things after awhile. When you’re an intern, you’ve got to pull yourself up by your bootstraps (flip-flops, in my case) and hang on for a fast-paced ride of a lifetime!

If you’re wondering what goes on pre-Fair, I’ve got a few pictures to share with you. My colleague, Kris Karol, snapped these shots late last week. Pretty soon, you won’t even recognize the place – it’s transforming before our very eyes!

Teams are busy drilling and laying the foundation for the Boy Scouts of America’s Legacy Bridge Project. Once completed, the bridge will be 71 feet long of Indiana Hardwood Lumber just north of the Speed Barns.

What? You didn’t think the crosswalk stripes came as naturally white as Dairy Bar vanilla ice cream, did you?

There’s been plenty of activity near the Swine Barn too. Appropriate enough, given it is the “Year of Pigs!”

Pig pens are beginning to be set up.

Did we mention it’s the “Year of Pigs?” You won’t have to go far to find your porky pals at the fair this year. The gift shop will sell everything from bacon bandages to bacon-flavored lip balm.

Enjoy old tractors and farm machinery? There’s plenty of each just west of Pioneer Village.

This space looks pretty empty now, but don’t be fooled – it will be home to the Habitat for Humanity “AgHome” soon enough.

During State Fair time, shuttles are packed! Our Buildings & Ground crew are hard at work, making sure they look and operate great!

Here is our Executive Director, Cindy Hoye, 18 days before opening day of the Indiana State Fair. Lots of reading material, a few phone messages, and plenty of e-mails. Don’t miss the caffeine and her “when pigs fly” ornament, hanging from the computer!

Now that I’ve got you intrigued, does that mean you’ll come to this year’s Great Indiana State Fair? Hope so.