Fairs! Family Fun at The Indiana State Fair

I Love Fairs! Every summer, for as long as I can remember, I have attended  local, county, or state fairs with my family. Every summer my grandparents and parents took me and my siblings to the local and county fairs in Pennsylvania. Here in Indiana, my husband and I continue the tradition with our kids.

Animals, sweet corn, midway rides, corn dogs, home baked good contests, garden vegetables entries, concerts, games, quilts, school exhibits, ice cream, milk shakes, funnel cakes, tractor pulls, demolition derby, hot sausage sandwiches, french fries, taffy, elephant ears, giant cheese sculptures, fried cookie dough...I could go on and on. Fairs are fun!

In August my family attended the Indiana State Fair. I went with different family members four times during the two week fair. There was so much to see (and eat) I needed more than one visit!

On Two Dollar Tuesday, my oldest daughter and I rode our bicycles to the fair, 15 miles one way. She recently graduated high school and I was able to spend some quality time with her when her siblings had to go back to school. We had great weather and rode on the Monon Trail for most of the trip. 

We dropped our bikes off at the Free Pedal and Park corral and headed in for breakfast---Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream and a grilled cheese sandwich from the Dairy Barn.

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Next, we walked through the barns of animals where we saw the World's Largest Boar. Born and raised in Indiana, this guy topped 1,150 pounds. Every year the World's Largest Boar is crowned and on display. This year was the very first time I've witnessed a champion porker on its feet. Yes, his little legs can support over half a ton of pig. The moment didn't last. In under a minute he slurped a drink of water and resumed his nap on fluffy wood chips.

We visited many more farm animals including this little calf that licked my daughter's hand when she pet it.

Since we rode 15 miles to the fair and had another 15 miles to ride back, we didn't hesitate to taste more yummy food.

BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, chocolate milkshakes, huge hot soft pretzels, and fresh cinnamon sugar covered doughnut holes are just some of the fair food we devoured.

Before we left, I snapped this picture of the Ferris Wheel.

Did I mention I went to the fair four times? AND we had so much fun riding our bikes to the fair my daughter and I rode again on the second Two Dollar Tuesday. Riding justified the ability to taste more scrumptious fair food and pet this friendly goat.

The fair has come to an end. My daughter and I decided we're going to make riding bikes to the fair and annual event. My other two kids can't wait until they graduate so they can ride too.

We moved my daughter into college last weekend. My other two high school aged kids are busy with, school, youth group, swimming, and marching band. In two weeks I will be teaching a new group of three year-olds at preschool. The school year has begun.

Today, everything is very quiet at my house as my husband and I sit in the home office working at our computers. As I type this blog post I cannot wait until the fair comes back next August so I can make more memories with my family.

Do you go to fairs? Share your favorite fair food or memory in the comments.

Enjoy these last days of summer!
----Anne