The Oldest County Fairs in Indiana

Held annually in Valparaiso, the Porter County Fair is a ten-day northwestern Indiana celebration near Indiana Dunes, drawing large crowds from the Chicago metro area for livestock competition and major entertainment. Its history stretches back to 1851, placing it among Indiana's oldest agricultural fairs.

Every year, Goshen hosts the Elkhart County Fair, which is one of Indiana's largest county fairs, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the RV capital of the world for nine days of world-class livestock competition and entertainment. With roots going back to 1851, it's among Indiana's oldest continuously held fairs.

Every year, Indianapolis hosts the Indiana State Fair, which has run since 1852, one of the oldest state fairs in the country. It is held each August at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and spans more than two weeks of agricultural competitions, concerts, and exhibits.

The Delaware County Fair in Muncie is a ten-day east-central Indiana celebration drawing large crowds from Ball State University's hometown for livestock competition and major entertainment. The fair traces back to 1852, making it one of Indiana's longest-running agricultural traditions.

Crown Point is home to the Lake County Fair, which is a ten-day event serving Indiana's most urban and populous county, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from the Chicago metro area each August. Founded in 1852, it stands as one of Indiana's most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

Portland is home to the Jay County Fair, which is an eleven-day eastern Indiana celebration that culminates in a spectacular Fourth of July fireworks tradition, drawing large crowds from the Indiana-Ohio border region. With roots going back to 1853, it's among Indiana's oldest continuously held fairs.

The Monroe County Fair in Bloomington brings Indiana University's college town together with the surrounding farming community for nine days of livestock competition and fair entertainment. Dating to 1855, it ranks among Indiana's oldest agricultural fairs.

The Tippecanoe County Fair, based in Lafayette, is a nine-day celebration in Purdue University's home city, drawing large crowds from the Wabash Valley for livestock competition and major entertainment. It's been held since 1871, one of Indiana's most enduring county fair traditions.

The St. Launched in 1925, the fair has held its place in Indiana agricultural life for generations. Joseph County Fair in South Bend draws large crowds from Notre Dame's hometown for nine days of livestock competition and fair entertainment each July.

Indianapolis's Marion County Fair brings agriculture to the heart of Indiana's capital city for ten days, introducing urban families to the state's farming heritage. Established in 1930, the fair has served as a community gathering point for generations.