2009 Indiana State Fair

The Indiana State Fair kicks off today August 7th and continues through Aug 23rd. They have extended the fair this year to a full 17 days. This year is the year of the tomato but there is much more to do than just eat. Here are some highlights:

Band Day: August 7th all day long

Purina Incredible Dog Challenge: August 7-8, Celebration Park. These pooches compete in freestyle flying disc, diving dog, Jack Russell racing, agility and 60 pole weave-pole racing. This is the 12th year and will be televised by ABC/ESPN

Hendrick's Racing Pigs: 11am, 1, 3, 5, and 7 pm daily, Riley Fun Park. Its exactly like it sounds racing pigs. They might not fly yet but they do race.

Break Dance Battle: 5-9pm August 8, WFMS Free Stage. All the classic dance moves will hopefully make an appearance. The format is a 3v3 crew competition, first prize is $300.

Assorted Livestock Competitions: August 7-23. These are the real competitions of the fair as far as tradition goes.

Hispanic/Latino State Fair Salsa Contest: 1-9pm August 9, Celebration Park. Not the kind of salsa that you eat but the kind of dance. Watch 12 hot couples compete for cash.

Spam Open Judging: 11am August 13, Home and Family Arts Main Stage. Contestants will cook up their best spam delights for cash and a trip to the 2010 Waikiki Spam Jam event.

Baton Twirling Competition: 10am-5pm August 14, Farm Bureau Building.

Pumpkin Sculpting Contest: 2pm August 14, Ball State Ag/Hort Building. Watch Chef's Academy folks put pumpkins under the knife and present their works of art.

Traditional Arts Indiana State Fair Fiddle Contest: 9am-3pm August 15, Pioneer Village Opry House. Listen to the best of the best Fiddle players in the state.

4-H Cat Show and Cat Action Demos: 10am-3pm August 10, Farm Bureau Building.

Giant Pumpkin Contest Weigh-off: 10am-12pm(noon) August 15, Tomato Patch Gift Shop. Local celebrity Don Stuck of X103 will join the contendors to see if he grew the largest pumpkin.

Liar's Contest by Storytelling Arts of Indiana: 5pm August 16, Pioneer Village Opry House. Indiana residents get the change to tell the biggest tale they can spin in 3-5min. Registration starts at 4 pm

Viking Fashion Show Judging: 2pm, August 16, Home and Family Arts Mainstage. Judges from Husqvarna and Viking are looking for the complete look.

Rooster Crowing Contest: August 18-20, Poultry and Rabbit Barn. Try your hand at the call of the rooster.

Indiana State Fair Celebrity Tomato Toss Contest: 3pm, August 19, Pioneer Village. You've always wanted to throw a tomato at a celebrity, but this year watch them try to toss them at a bull's-eye.

Celebrity Cow Milking: 11:30 August 19, Livestock Nursery. Watch assorted celebrities work to milk the cow the fastest.

Indiana State Fair Queen Pageant: noon August 23, Pepsi Coliseum. Women under 21 compete for the coveted title of Miss Indiana State Fair.

Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest: 1pm daily, Ball State Ag/Hort Building.

Cricket Spitting: whenever you want. Join Purdue entomology professor Tom Turpina at spitting crickets.

Elvis Impersonator Contest: 1-5pm August 23, Farm Bureau Building/ Watch as contestants get judged for vocals, originality, appearance, and delivery. Cash prize of $2,500. Sign up at elviscontest.com or just swing by a watch.

For more information about the state fair visit their website at : www.indianastatefair.com