INDIANAPOLIS – Basketball will be the theme of the 2023 Indiana State Fair.  

The theme will be activated through multiple interactive experiences, including All-Star Court (a

Basketball Amusement Park), the Pacers Sports & Entertainment Court, exhibits paying homage to

Indiana’s rich basketball legacy, and daily storytelling moments – 18 of Indiana’s greatest basketball

stories told through the 18 days of the Fair, team player meet & greets, and so much more. The 2023

Indiana State Fair returns July 28 through August 20.

The Indiana State Fair is rooted in telling the agriculture story - and the history of why the game of

basketball grew here in Indiana is tied directly to agriculture. The game was affordable, and the

playing season was based around the farmers’ planting and harvest season. After each harvest, farm

kids could play basketball, and then when the season ended in March, they could go back to the

fields for planting. 

Speaking of agriculture the Indiana State Fair and Corteva Agriscience recently announced the 2023 Featured Farmers who will be honored at this year’s Indiana State Fair. In its eighth year, this popular program celebrates and helps put a face on Hoosier agriculture by connecting consumers with fellow Hoosiers who grow the food they eat. These 18 farm operations represent a variety of regions through the state, showcasing different agricultural products and stories throughout the 18-day State Fair.

“The Featured Farmers program is all about connecting fairgoers to farmers during the State Fair, to help connect the dots about where their food comes from,” said Cindy Hoye, executive director, Indiana State Fair Commission. “These farmers have incredible stories to tell, and we are proud to be the backdrop for these conversations.”

Visitors to the Indiana State Fair can attend a live chat at 2:30 p.m. in the Glass Barn with a Featured Farmer every day of the Fair, in addition to many other opportunities to talk with that day’s Featured Farm family and learn about their operation. 

Here is the list of featured farmers, farm products and their home counties:

• Friday, July 28th – Hill Farms (Swine), Hancock County

• Saturday, July 29th – Hackman Family Farm Market (Melons), Jackson County

• Sunday, July 30th – Morgan Brothers, LLC (Corn, Soybeans, Wheat), Vermillion County

• Wednesday, August 2nd – Risin’ Creek Creamery (Goats, Cheese), Morgan County

• Thursday, August 3rd – Groth Farms (Corn, Soybeans), Randolph County

• Friday, August 4th – Marble Hill Farm (Sheep, Wool), Monroe County

• Saturday, August 5th – Able Acres Polled Herefords (Beef, Corn, Soybeans), Fountain County

• Sunday, August 6th – Howard Swine Farm (Swine), Cass County

• Wednesday, August 9th – Country Meadows Farm (Dairy, Beef, Goats, Sheep, Chickens), Steuben County

• Thursday, August 10th – Scherle Tree Farm (Christmas Trees), Dubois County

• Friday, August 11th – Estes Dairy (Dairy), Shelby County

• Saturday, August 12th – K-Brothers Inc. (Soybeans, Tomatoes), Cass County

• Sunday, August 13th – Carterly Farm (Dairy), Boone County

• Wednesday. August 16th – Cornucopia Farm (Pumpkins, Produce, Farmers Market, Corn, Soybeans, Flowers, Agritourism), Washington County

• Thursday, August 17th – Whaley Farms Partnership (Corn, Soybeans, Alfalfa, Cattle), Newton County

• Friday, August 18th – At Ease Orchard (Apples, Bees), Hancock County

• Saturday, August 19th – Dutch Country Organics (Eggs), LaGrange County

• Sunday, August 20th – Sunset Ridge Berries and Blooms (Flowers, Strawberries, Pumpkins, Agritourism), Owen County