Don’t worry if you missed Turkey Hill $2 Tuesday at the Indiana State Fair today — you can go next Tuesday, August 17. Before heading down to the State Fair, be sure to print off your $2 vouchers by clicking here. You will need to print one for each person in your group, so if you have three in your group, print and bring three vouchers with you.
Ride the Indiana State Fair Shuttle for just 75¢.
I took my 9-year-old son and his friend today. Our first pleasant surprise was we were not charged to park in the infield — I did not realize that there was “plenty of free parking on a first-come first-served basis” on the fairgrounds. Be sure to enter through Gate 1 off 38th Street, Gate 6 off Fall Creek Parkway, Fate 10 off 42 Street or Gate 16 off 42 Street. Keep in mind what part of the fair you will visit first or last and head in at the nearest gate.
After parking we headed to the center of the infield and walked to the northside of the fairgrounds through the walk tunnel. Our first stop was the DNR Building to get the boys signed up for Let’s Go Fishin’ in the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) Fishin’ Pond. Once there, we found out we couldn’t register until a half hour before the next session. So we had until 3:30. So we hung around the air-conditioned DNR Building. The boys loved looking at the fish tanks full of fish found in Indiana lakes and streams. Other exhibits they enjoyed included a model of how flooding happens, animal pelts and shooting air riffles at targets.Outside the DNR Building the boys enjoyed the Butterfly Garden.For more information about the DNR Building at the State Fair, click here.
Around the corner from the DNR Building heading west, be sure to look for the Turkey Hill giant cow and get a free ice cream sample from Turkey Hill. I had the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup and it was very yummy. The boys thought the giant cow was pretty funny. We also enjoyed a free cup of popcorn as well as more air conditioning at the Farm Bureau Building.
Many food vendors were offering $2 servings of many fair favorites. Be sure to look around and pay attention. Unfortunately, I purchased a corn dog at the usual price at one vendor and turned around and saw the next offering corn dogs for $2. Later I purchased a funnel cake — my fair food must have. They did offer a small version for $2, but I couldn’t resist getting the usual size. The boys did help eat it, though. They were much smarter than I was, however, they chose Sno-Cones for their treat. I’m sure they helped then cool down in the nearly 100 degree heat.
All rides are just $2 on Turkey $2 Tuesdays at the Indiana State Fair.
As we had just 1½ hours until we had to be back to sign up for fishing, I asked the boys if they would rather go to Riley Fun Park to see Welde’s Big Bears or to the Midway to ride some rides. They voted for the Midway. This was another $2 treat. Each ride was just $2. I spent $20 on tickets and the boys were able to ride five rides together. They also had unlimited ride wristbands for $25 from noon-6 p.m. which was also a great deal if you plan to ride more than 14 times. The same wristband deal will run Tuesday, August 17. For a complete list of wristband deals, click here.
After the boys used up their Midway tickets, we caught the tractor shuttle back to the DNR Building. It cost 75¢ per person to ride the tractor shuttle. We were able to sign up for the 4 p.m. Fishing session. We spent a little more time in the air conditioned DNR Building and shopped a little in their fantastic gift shop.
Be sure to go fishing at the DNR Fishin' Pond.
The boys then listened to fishing instructions and fishing in general before heading to their fishing spots where a DNR volunteer helped them bait their hooks and begin fishing. It was extremely hot and it didn’t look like they would get any bites. The volunteers had them move to a new spot and they were both able to catch a blue gill. I snapped a quick picture before the fish was released back into the pond. This was the third, maybe fourth time my son had fished in the DNR Fishin’ Pond. My advice is to go early in the run of the fair if you can and early in the day. I think the fish get smart and tired of being thrown back, so it seems they are a little harder to catch as the day and the fair goes on. It also seems like they are less likely to bite in the extreme heat of the day.
The boys were ready to head home so we headed back to our 111 degree car. No kidding! This week will continue to be hot, so I suggest bringing along water bottles to fill as needed. I also recommend baseball caps and sunglasses as well as plenty of sunscreen. I made sure both boys wore sunscreen but failed to put it on my own shoulders, so now I’m sporting some red shoulders.
If family travel has brought you to Indianapolis this August or if you live in the area, don’t miss the next Turkey Hill $2 Tuesday on August 17. Thanks Turkey Hill for bringing such a great value to Indiana State Fair goers.
For more information on the Indiana State Fair, click here.
