INDIANAPOLIS – 2016 Indiana State Fair drew to a close on Sunday with a return to “Fair Weather” and the crowds that followed. The final attendance record for the 17-day Fair was set with 83,148 fairgoers through the gates. The overall Fair attendance was 19.4% off from last year’s 5th largest attended Fair.
“The mission of the Indiana State Fair is to promote agriculture and connect farmers with consumers, and this Fair we got a glimpse of what a farmer can deal with during a season with less than favorable weather,” said Cindy Hoye, Executive Director, Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center. “The challenges this year showed how resilient this team can be at still providing a great fair for those did come out, even in the heat and rain.”
To close out the 2016 Indiana State Fair, the Indiana State Fair Foundation was able to celebrate the completion of the Coliseum Campaign: Making Memories by raising more than $10 million towards the $63 million renovation of the Indiana Farmers Coliseum and addition of the Pop Weaver Pavilion and Cheri Daniels Youth Arena.