Celebrate Indiana’s long history of basketball at the State Fair

Indianapolis, Indiana – The Indiana State Fair this year offers a range of activities for visitors to partake in.

The 166th iteration of the yearly event has basketball as its theme. On the basketball court at the governor’s mansion, Governor Eric Holcomb and other officials announced the theme last winter.

Visitors to the fair will find a number of activities and exhibits highlighting Indiana’s illustrious basketball history. In addition to seeing the 1951 Chevy that Gene Hackman’s character Norman Dale drove in the groundbreaking basketball film Hoosiers, visitors will also get to check out an immersive exhibit from the Indiana Pacers and test their talents at a theme park with a focus on the sport.

Basketball is intrinsically linked to this heritage, according to the Indiana State Fair’s organizers, because of Indiana’s connection with agriculture. Because it was inexpensive, the game gained popularity; the playing season coincided with the planting and harvesting seasons.

In 1892, the same year that basketball was first played in Indiana, the Indiana State Fairgrounds first opened. The Indiana Farmers Coliseum has hosted high school championships, the Pacers during the ABA period, All-Star Games, and more over the years, contributing to the history of basketball. IUPUI Men’s Basketball and the Horizon League Basketball Championships are presently held in the Coliseum.

Here are some of the basketball-related events that attendees may expect to encounter during this year’s fair:

• HOOPFEST Outdoor Amusement Park
• Including full-size regulation court with tournaments, kids camps, coaches chats, etc.
• Pacers Sports & Entertainment Immersive Exhibit
• Land of Legends: Indiana’s Basketball Legacy, in partnership with Indiana Basketball Hall of
• Fame
• Space Ham: An Augmented Reality Experience
• 1951 Chevy, Gene Hackman’s car from movie HOOSIERS on display
• 18 Basketball Stories curated for 18 days of the Indiana State Fair
• Celebrating the people, the places and the purpose of the game!
• The Evolution of the Game Exhibit
• The 6th Man Exhibit: Agriculture & Basketball
• Hoosier Hardwood Photo Project: A Journey to Indiana’s Historical High School Gyms
• From Trees to Tip-Off Attraction: Indiana Hardwoods & the Game
• Chuck Taylor and Indiana Basketball Exhibit with the Indiana Historical Society
• Cultural art installations celebrations basketball
• Including sneaker & custom Backboard Art installation

On the website of the Indiana State Fair, you may find out more information on the basketball exhibits. The fair this year is open from July 28 through August 20. On Mondays and Tuesdays, it is closed.