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COMPETITIONS/CONTESTS

Home & Family Arts Special Contests

Listed below are a couple of our special contests. Please check back for more information.

Backyard BBQ Cook-off sponsored by Shoup's Country

Who is the best backyard grill master in Indiana? This competition is open to all ages and residents of Indiana. We look forward to a great day of delicious grilled foods, friendly competition, great pork sampling, and fun music. Please check back for more information.

Creative Sewing Challenge

Presented by The French Seam - Calling all sewing enthusiasts, quilters and needle crafters...
Enter the 2013 Indiana State Fair Creative Sewing Challenge!

Showcase of Fashion

Presented by IEHA - The Fashion Show is held on the main stage on the 1st floor of the Home & Family Arts Building. Please check back for entry form. Please check back for more information.

Young Hoosier Pianist Competition

Presented by Piano Solutions Finals - Young pianists ages 5 to 18 from around the state compete in the finals in the Home & Family Arts Building 3rd floor auditorium. Please check back for more information.

BIG Cookie Decorating Contest 　

A giant plain cookie will be provided for each contestant to decorate. Select one of two themes for your design: 1) Year of Popcorn or 2) Indiana State Fair – Fun at Every Turn. Get creative…with icing, candies, chocolate chips, raisins, nuts… anything edible that fits your design and tastes yummy. Plan and practice making your design at home using a 6-inch circle of paper as your canvas. Send in your entry form to register. Then bring your cookie decorations and utensils to the Home & Family Arts Building to create your cookie masterpiece.

Create-a-Dairy Smoothie Contest

Calling all kids and kids at heart – get creative in the kitchen! Choose your favorite lowfat milk and/or lowfat yogurt and add your own special ingredients – fruits, veggies, spices, chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter…the sky’s the limit…and whip up a blue-ribbon smoothie. Send in your entry form to register. Write up your recipe and bring your dairy smoothie ingredients to the Indiana State Fair. Everyone can join the fun – make it a family affair. Remember…winners drink milk and make cool, creamy smoothies!

 

Other Special Competitions/Contests

Antique Tractor Show

Antique Tractors are found on display in Pioneer Village every day of the Fair. Please check back for more information.

Music Travel Consultants State Fair Band Day Competition

The most prestigious and exciting band contest in the state kicks off the Indiana State Fair in the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand on August 2.  

Baton Twirling Contest

Indiana's best go head to head in the State Championship Baton Twirling Contest. You can find them in the Farm Bureau Building twirling their way to the top. Please check back for more information.

Brewer’s Cup Competition

One of the largest competitions in the country, the Indiana State Fair Brewers’ Cup is held in July. In 2010 we had a record 1071 entries: 310 professional and 761 homebrews.

Indiana State Fair Open Car Show - Registration is Closed

The Indiana State Fair Car Show was open to the first 100 vehicles registered - Registration is now closed as the maximum of 100 cars has been reached; State Fair Blue Ribbons will be awarded to the top 25 vote getters along with Grand Champion!

Cheerleading Competition

Top cheerleaders from around the state compete in this annual competition. Devoted school representatives spend countless hours rooting for their teams. Now it's your turn to cheer for THEM! Please check back for more information.

Giant Pumpkin, Giant Watermelon, Giant Tomato Contest

Sponsored by the Indiana State Fair and the Indiana Pumpkin Growers Association

John Barenie from Griffith, Ind., claimed first place for the second straight year and the third time overall during the 2012 Indiana State Fair Giant Pumpkin Contest. His prize winning pumpkin tipped the scales at 1,293 pounds to top John Van Hook’s entry by 208 pounds, but fell 15 pounds shy of his own state record set in 2011.  Think you and your prized patch have what it takes to top that?

Indiana State Fair Vocal Throwdown

The Indiana State Fair is holding its first-ever open singing competition complete with cash prizes and an opportunity to perform at the fair.   All entries will be submitted on video and the public will vote on the top five in both divisions.  The preliminary round will be on the Main Street Stage Saturday, Aug. 3 with the finalists vying for top honors Saturday, Aug. 10.

Entries are no longer being accepted for the Vocal Throwdown.

Voting is now closed.

Traditional Arts Indiana State Fair Fiddle Contest

Indiana's best fiddlers compete on the stage in the Opry House located in Pioneer Village. The contest's mission is to showcase Indiana's many fiddle styles from bluegrass to old-time to western swing. Competitors are judged fairly and awarded prize money. Please check back for more information.

Youth Talent Contest

County Fair Talent Contest winners from across the state come to the Indiana State Fair hoping to succeed at the state level. Exciting Hoosier talent is always in abundance at the State Fair. You can see a variety of acts such as singing, dancing, tumbling, clogging, cheerleading and baton twirling. Hope you can stop by the Farm Bureau Building to watch some of Indiana's youth at their best.