By DAVE BLOWER JR.
Farm World Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — With nearly 1 million visitors during its 17-day run, 2009 Indiana State Fair organizers are pleased with the results.

“The Indiana State Fair is quite pleased with the success of this year’s edition of the Great Indiana State Fair,” said State Fair Executive Director Cindy Hoye. “We accomplished our goals of giving the 4-H exhibitors the opportunity to show during their state fair, while juggling competition schedules to allow most all the 4-H competitions to take place without school conflicts.”

Earlier starting dates for schools was a concern for the fair’s planners this year.

“The impact of schools going back into session was very noticeable especially during the last week of the fair,” Hoye admitted. “Giving the public a third weekend was appreciated by countless fairgoers and their families.

“I kept thinking, ‘What would have happened if we hadn’t added the additional weekend?’ Our traditional fair dates would have completely operated on top of schools.”

The official attendance count was 973,902. Many were hoping to break the 1 million mark this year, but there were a few uncontrollable factors that impacted the final count.

“Weather always is a factor, and we dealt with some weather issues unlike 2008, when the weather was picture perfect,” Hoye explained.

Expanding the fair from 12 to 17 days was considered a risky move by some fair vendors and visitors.

“As we always do, we will have to make adjustments to our operation to make the fair even better for the coming year, and plans are underway to do just that,” Hoye reported.

Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, who was a frequent fair visitor this year, praised the expanded schedule.

“While so many other entertainment activities these days are shrinking, the Indiana State Fair got bigger,” Skillman said. “A longer state fair, 17 days instead of 12, meant I was at the fairgrounds more. It appears that many Hoosiers had the same idea with attendance totaling 973,902, making this State Fair the best-attended in Indiana State Fair history.”

Skillman, who also serves as Indiana’s top ag official, said Hoosier agriculture was on display throughout this year’s event.

“I caught up with many of our ag partners at meals with pork, beef, dairy producers as well as Farm Bureau members,” she said. “And I was honored to present the AgriVision Award, Hoosier Homestead awards, and River Friendly Farmers’ Awards to some of the Indiana’s ag trailblazers and farm families. I also presented Partner in Progress Awards, my signature award to 11 long-serving state fair volunteers and retiring state fair board members.”
Skillman praised the fair’s organizers for their creativity.

“Thanks to some creative marketing, there were plenty of opportunities for Hoosiers to join in on state fair activities,” Skillman explained. “Hoosiers had fun and saved money through discounts and free state fair tickets. The state fair was a success due in large part to the many volunteers and state fair employees.”
Hoye concurred, saying discount opportunities and free tickets were key during this challenging economy.

“Our fairgoers were motivated with discount opportunities and values,” she said. “While per capita spending was off a little this year - no surprise given the economy - the highlight would have to have been the $2 Tuesday with the $2 Taste of the State Fair.”
Hoye added that there were many popular features this year.

“The highlights include the enhancements to the north side where we strive to tell agriculture’s story to the urban public,” she said. “With the Pathway to Water Quality, the Normandy Barn Exhibit and Greenhouse, the showcase of energy, Little Hands on the Farm, Livestock Nursery, and The Wondertrail ... we keep making progress with the fantastic backdrop of Pioneer Village as the hook. Additionally, we loved celebrating the Year of Tomatoes with our extraordinary partner Red Gold.”