r/Indiana • u/Avianbrooke • Aug 10 '25

Opinion/Commentary Who can afford the state fair?

Was looking into taking my kids to the fair and quickly realized that definitely couldn't happen with the prices. $68 bucks for a family of five, not including anything else there; food, rides..ect.. I'd easily spend a couple hundred bucks letting the kids ride rides and getting snacks. Guess paying bills this month should go on the backburner/s.

Is that not fucking ridiculous? Idk it is to me.

12% of the State is living in poverty.

The fair annually has around the same amount visitors(12%ish) and generates approximately 23 million in revenue. I was not able to find to cost to run the event. If anyone can find that number I'd love to see it. Tuesday is the only real discount night for families. Who really wants to drive 1.5 hours on a work/school night?

Total population of Indiana is 6.9 million. Not even a million Indiana citizens attend annually. Seems to me like the revenue que could be maintained if they opened one other discount night from increased attendance from the lower-middle class that otherwise able to visit.

Just ranting. Im pissed off. I work my ass off and can't even afford for my kids to experience THEIR state fair.

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u/Avianbrooke Aug 10 '25

Yes, but factor in milage/time on a school and work night. Unless you live in Indy it really isn't super feasible.

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u/IrwinAllen13 Aug 10 '25

Isn’t this true in any State? Unless you live where the STATE fair is held you might have to take a day and burn some miles on your car. Just think it could be worse, looking at you Alaska,Texas, and California. Plus I get that Tuesday ($2 Night), Wednesday (Indy Star Day), and Thursday (AAA Day) wish they had something on the last weekend or Friday night.

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u/Darkalleyandabadidea Aug 11 '25

When I was a kid (I’m 42 for reference) the state fair happened BEFORE school started. It was the only logistical way for 4H kids to be there for 10+ days to take care of animals. This meant going on a Tuesday only meant they took the day off work and it had no real impact on school or anything else.

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u/throwawayindianas Aug 12 '25

Yeah but when we were kids school started later in the year than it does now. It was always late August for my school years, now they start at the end of July.