New pavilion highlights 2023 Indiana State Fair
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The 2023 Indiana State Fair is underway and expected to attract more than 800,000 people to the Indiana State Fairgrounds through Aug. 20. The biggest addition to the 166th edition of the fair is the new, $50 million Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, which has transformed the former Swine Barn into a year-round, multipurpose venue that will not only host best-in-class livestock events, but sporting events as well.
In an interview on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, Indiana State Fair Commission Executive Director Cindy Hoye talked about the nearly 200,000-square-foot venue.
“We really started with trying to solve troubles and issues with livestock shows, first and foremost,” Hoye said. “But then, how can we then transform that into a multipurpose building? [We] moved inside [and] dropped the level down so that you could load and unload livestock, load and unload different kinds of sporting events or attractions that can happen in this space.”
Officials cut the ribbon on the pavilion earlier this month and made the announcement of several major events already planned for the venue.
Among them is the National Swine Registry’s annual swine show known as The Exposition, which will be held at the pavilion in 2024 and 2025.
“These are elite livestock that’s coming here into this building,” Hoye said.
But as plans for the updated pavilion were being made, Hoye said they were intentional in making the venue available purposes beyond just livestock, including sports. The pavilion will play host to the 2025 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships as well as future editions of USA Track & Field’s national championships.
The Indiana State Fairgrounds comes with an annual $200 million direct economic impact for the state. Hoye called the fairgrounds and anchor institution for the city and state.
“It’s substantial, and when this new asset comes into play, we really see those numbers going to skyrocket,” she said. “The other thing that I’m really proud about is the number of jobs that the fairgrounds brings in, 1,100 job equivalencies that the fairgrounds brings to the table.”
This year’s theme for the State Fair is “Basketball: Celebrating the State that Grew the Game,” and Hoye said there will be plenty of activations at the fair in partnership with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, which is also preparing to host the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.