Fontaine Swope - Eli Marketing
Fontaine Swope - Eli Marketing
Fontaine Swope - Eli Marketing
About Us
The Indiana State Fairgrounds offers modern event facilities in a historical setting. The Indiana State Fairgrounds first opened in 1892 and has hosted 115 Indiana State Fairs. Prior to 1892, the first 40 Indiana State Fairs were held at rotating sites around the state.
In 1990, the Indiana State Fairgrounds began its present existence as a year-round events center. In that time, many of our venues have undergone renovations and upgrades that have continued to bring modern comforts to the Indiana State Fairgrounds ability to be a great site for conventions, consumer shows, conferences, sports, concerts, fairs, exhibitions, meetings, weddings, banquets and retreats.
Laid out over 250 acres, the Indiana State Fairgrounds is home to more than 1,000,000 square feet of event space and offers the most flexible event venues in the state of Indiana.
The Indiana State Fair Commission oversees management of the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Click here to view the members of the ISFC.
The Indiana State Fair Board manages the Indiana State Fair, held annually at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Click here to view the members of the ISFB.
Historical Fun Facts:
- The Pepsi Coliseum (built in 1939) has served as the model for both Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis Colts) and Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indiana Pacers).
- The first automobile to record a 60-mph speed was driven in June 1903 by Barney Oldfield on the Fairgrounds track. Oldfield piloted Henry Ford's red 999 Arrow "Red Devil" car.
- Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama have visited the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
- The Winter Club of Indianapolis, an affiliate member of the US Figure Skating Association and one of the oldest operating figure skating clubs, debuted at the Pepsi Coliseum in 1940 and still operates today.
- Elvis Presley did one of his first TV interviews in the Communications Building in 1956, not long after recording "Heartbreak Hotel". The song was released in January 1957.
- Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) boxed as an amateur in 1957 in the Communications Building.
- The only Beatles concert ever held in Indiana was held here in September 1964. Tickets ranged for $3-5 and attendance reached 30,000 over two sold out shows.
- The West Pavilion hosted a dinner for 13,383 people at the Indiana Farm Bureau Co-Op's Golden Anniversary in 1976.
- 40,000 fans gathered for a Hoosier Celebration concert in the track infield on July 2, 1988, featuring Indiana native John Cougar Mellencamp.
- Auto racing's greats have raced on our dirt track – A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Mario Andretti, Barney Oldfield, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and more.
