Fair theme is a slam dunk: Basketball-themed fair coming 2023

INDIANAPOLIS — The theme for the 2023 Indiana State Fair, to be held July 28-Aug. 20, is “Basketball: Celebrating the State that Grew the Game.”

The Indiana State Fair will partner with Pacers Sports and Entertainment for the event, which will include immersive basketball exhibits such as the Basketball Amusement Park, team player meet and greets and more.

As a nod to Indiana’s basketball heritage, there will be a daily storytelling event to share 18 of Indiana’s greatest basketball moments.

“The Indiana State Fair is an annual celebration of agriculture, entertainment and what it means to be a Hoosier,” said Gov. Eric Holcomb.

“Perhaps the only other Hoosier tradition that brings together as many fans, as much nostalgia, and that sense of hometown pride is the love of basketball that’s swept our state for more than a century, which makes it the perfect theme for this year’s fair.”

Basketball and agriculture are tied together in Indiana’s history. The game’s schedule was planned around farmers’ planting and harvest season.

After each harvest, farm kids could play basketball. When the season ended in March, they could go back to the fields for planting.

That’s how the tradition of “Friday Night High School Basketball” started in Indiana.

Basketball also has a rich history at the fairgrounds, where the Indiana Farmers Coliseum hosts high school championships, the ABA Pacers, All-Star Games and more.

The Indiana State Fairgrounds first opened in 1892 — the same year basketball was introduced in Indiana.

Learn more at www.indianastatefair.com.