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

Indiana State Fair Begins With New Technology

Fair-goers walk near the midway during the 2015 Indiana State Fair.
Doug Jaggers/WFYI
Fair-goers walk near the midway during the 2015 Indiana State Fair.

Opening ceremonies for the 2016 Indiana State Fair took place this morning, and a new smartphone app for Apple and Android devices will help State Fair-goers find their favorite food vendors, animal competitions, and even their own car.

Media Manager Leslie Gordon says she thinks it will change how visitors interact with the fair.

“It gives you a personalized itinerary, so you can schedule that, share it with your friends. I think the coolest thing is gonna be being able to drop a pin where you park, so you don’t get lost,” says Gordon.

This year more of the coliseum is devoted to livestock, expanding room for animals in their pens.

Officials say the weather outlook for the next two and a half weeks looks good, and that if things get too hot, as always, visitors can retreat to some of the fair’s indoor attractions.

Officials say they expect attendance to stay around the 900,000 figure, which is where it’s been hovering for the past several years.

Drew Daudelin is the managing digital editor at WFYI. In his previous roles as a reporter and producer he covered poverty, politics and city government, produced award-winning feature stories for local and national markets, and led the statewide daily talk show All IN.
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.