DNR Habitats And Bargains Highlight State Fair
INDIANAPOLIS — The state fair this year will include programs from the Department of Natural Resources, which will be available every day, from now until Aug. 23.
Two DNR favorites — “Snakes Alive” and the Kids Fishin’ Pond — will be offered every day, from now until Aug. 23.
Another annual favorite, the Taste of the Wild cookout, will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8.
All three events will be next to the air-conditioned Natural Resources Building, the hub of DNR State Fair activities. Check the website for the entire DNR schedule.
“Snakes Alive,” the live snake show, will be offered at 10 a.m. daily. Interpretive naturalists from across Indiana will talk about snakes Hoosiers might find in their backyards.
The 312,000-gallon Fishin’ Pond, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, is next to the amphitheater and is packed with fish ready to be caught and released. Youth fishing is early available evenings and most mornings every day. Parents/guardians should check the daily schedule online or in the State Fair program.
Also featured each afternoon is a program with at least one live bird of prey. These programs take place at 4:30 p.m. every day except Aug. 8, when start time is 3:30 p.m.
This Saturday’s Taste of the Wild is the ultimate food superstar at the State Fair. Visitors can try samples of steelhead trout, venison, barbecued beaver, turtle soup, Asian carp and more, prepared and provided by DNR staff and volunteer groups.
Taste of the Wild preparers and providers include the White River Bow Hunters Association, Indiana Deer Hunters Association, Indiana Wildlife Federation, Indianapolis Flycasters, Reel Women Reel Men Fly Club, Furtakers of America, Indiana Wild Turkey Federation and Northwest Indiana Steelheaders, as well as Jim and Nancy Mahoney, and Ken and Robin Groves.
New this year, DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife’s urban wildlife biologists, Megan Dillon and Falyn Owens, will staff a booth each day.
All DNR activities at the fair are free after paying gate admission.
Visitors to the building also can view native Indiana fish in aquariums, pick up free copies of the latest Recreation Guide and other informational brochures, subscribe to Outdoor Indiana magazine at a State Fair special deal, ask questions of DNR experts, visit Mother Nature’s Mercantile to purchase unique outdoors-based items or just take an air-conditioned break.