INDIANA — The 2016 Indiana State Fair has officially opened today, Friday, Aug. 5. The fair will remain open until Sunday, Aug. 21 with plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Even though the fair may be a drive for Kosciusko County residents, this year there are local reasons to make the drive.

“Beachy,” Winona Lake’s Indiana Bicentennial bison, is stationed at the Indiana State Fair to compete in the Bison-tennial Art Exhibit. Three area residents, Steve Perry, Joy Lohse and Rick Swaim, painted the bison to reflect Winona Lake. Dubbed “Beachy,” the sculpture sports swim trunks, goggles and flippers and stands on a pier. The trunks feature emblems representing Winona Lake. If chosen, the Bison could win up to $3,000.

The 2016 Stellar Community designation winner will be on announced Aug. 18, at the Indiana State Fair. If Warsaw and Winona Lake are chosen as a Stellar Community, the towns will receive funding for the 10 Stellar Community projects announced this summer.

Because of the Bicentennial, the Fair is Celebrating 200 years of Indiana’s Statehood. There will be several exhibits and special features that highlight our state’s history, art and tradition. Visit the Bicentennial Train, see First Lady Karen Pence’s watercolor paintings in the Indiana Arts Building, visit the Indiana’s Largest Bison Art Display, which includes “Beachy” and tour the Visit Indiana Bicentennial Pavilion.

While at the fair, there are also many of free activities available to offset the price of the drive and admittance into the fair. Following with this year’s theme, the Indiana State Fair is offering a list of 200 free things to do at the fair.