Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Pence Returns To Indiana For State Fair's Opening Ceremony

Governor and Karen Pence tour the Bicentennial exhibit at the Indiana State Fair.
Brandon Smith/IPBS
Governor and Karen Pence tour the Bicentennial exhibit at the Indiana State Fair.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Mike Pence returned to the Hoosier State Friday to kick off the 160th Indiana State Fair.

Pence and his wife Karen participated in the fair’s opening ceremony and the unveiling of the Bicentennial exhibit, as well as showing off the First Lady’s water colors in the Arts Building before touring some of the Fairgrounds.

On this visit, Pence was playing the role of governor…though when greeting the State Fair Queen, he couldn’t resist a mention of his vice presidential candidacy.

“I know what it is to get tapped unexpectedly and find yourself out front at lots of public events,” Pence said.

Mostly, though, Pence stuck to talking about the fair.

“I think the fact that our state is synonymous with everything that’s good and strong about the heartland in so many ways proceeds from the farm – and that’s what we celebrate at the Indiana State Fair,” he said.

Pence did not take questions from reporters.

Brandon Smith has covered the Statehouse for Indiana Public Broadcasting for more than a decade, spanning three governors and a dozen legislative sessions. He's also the host of Indiana Week in Review, a weekly political and policy discussion program seen and heard across the state.
Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.