FISHERS, Ind. (Sept. 8, 2009) – Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, Indiana’s only Smithsonian affiliate, celebrates Indiana’s farm heritage September 19 & 20 with the Country Fair. The 11th annual Country Fair will showcase how Hoosiers celebrated agriculture in the past. This highly attended event brought nearly 7,000 people last year to experience how fairs and agriculture have changed over the years. Guests will discover the importance of fairs in the past and how farmers relied on them to draw the community together and to learn the latest in agricultural technology.
During the fair weekend, guests can line the parade route to watch the antique tractor parade, enjoy a tractor-pulled hayride and participate in hands-on farm activities. Conner Prairie’s signature Apple Store will be selling its famous hand-dipped Indiana caramel apples, and festival foods and snacks will be available for guests to enjoy while listening to the live country music of Witch Hazel Valley People. Guests can also sample homemade pies and lemonade and taste a variety of heirloom apples.
Fairgoers will also experience a re-created 1886 agricultural fair where they can join the Suffrage Rally, visit Colonel Whitley’s Tent of Wonders, have their fortune read or compete in historic games like base ball and sack races. The fair will also feature up-close encounters with farm animals and the Hard Times Theater Company performing a medicine show with songs and theater games.
Lorene Burkhart, author of “Home on the Farm”; “If Chickens Could Talk”; “An Accidental Pioneer”; “A Farm Girl’s Drive to the Finish”; “Raccoon Tales; Hip, Flip, Skip and Boo”; and “Their Friend, Stu” will be at the Conner Prairie Store on Saturday, September 19 from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. for a book signing.
Sid the Science Kid from PBS Kids will also be available to meet and greet guests on Saturday, September 19, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Guests can enter to win a chance to ride in the 1859 Balloon Voyage flight with Sid and three friends at wfyi.org/LM/mailingList.asp.
The kids pedal tractor pull contest will take place Sunday, September 20, 12 – 2 p.m. Kids of all ages up to 70 pounds are welcome to compete in a fast-paced, action-packed, pedal tractor pull. Register online at wfms.com. The first 20 children to register will get free admission for two into Conner Prairie’s Country Fair.
Country Fair festivities are free with Conner Prairie general admission. Hours are Saturday, September 19, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, September 20, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. For additional information about these events, please visit connerprairie.org. Country Fair is presented by Dow AgroSciences.
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Conner Prairie interactive history park, created by Eli Lilly in 1934, is Indiana’s only Smithsonian affiliate. Families of today engage, explore and discover what it was like to live and play in Indiana’s past. Explore five themed historic areas on 200 beautiful, wooded acres including the newest exhibit, 1859 Balloon Voyage. This exhibit educates guests about Indiana’s aviation history and culminates with a voyage 350 feet above the prairie in a tethered helium balloon. Every visit is a unique adventure that provides an authentic look into the history that shapes us today. Admission to Conner Prairie: $12 adult, $11 senior, $8 youth ages 2-12, free for members. For more information about Conner Prairie visit www.connerprairie.org or call 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836.
Media Contact: Angela Tuell, Public Relations Manager
(office) 317.214.4732, (cell) 410.430.9518, Tuell@connerprairie.org