FISHERS, Ind. (September 7, 2011) – A fall tradition at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, Indiana’s only Smithsonian affiliate will offer a fascinating array of attractions for Midwest families next weekend. The 14th annual Country Fair, September 17-18, will for the first time feature the Indy Mini Maker Faire® as well as an opportunity for many visitors to get their first look at the nationally-renowned 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana.

While the County Fair, an authentic 19th century fair, will feature well-known attractions such as Colonel Whitley’s Tent of Wonders, Incredible Bearded Lady, antique tractor parade, hayrides and historic baseball. And for the very first time, it will hightlight the Indy Mini Maker Faire®. The Maker Fair is a compelling national festival series featuring dozens of do-it-yourself “makers” such as inventors, artists and craftspeople that take conventional materials to create incredible, unconventional devices. At Indy Mini Maker Faire® visitors will see creations such as robots and 3-D printers alongside authentic antique tractors and steam engines bridging the inventions of the past with the inventions of modern day.

According to Conner Prairie Vice President of Guest Experiences, Dan Freas, “Our guests will be able to personally meet the inventors and watch them work. This is a wonderful way for families to experience the creativity, imagination and genius that has and continues to build so much of America and influence our lifestyle.  You’ll see things here you won’t see anywhere else.”

This year’s event will also offer an opportunity to experience 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana, an experience so innovative it has been featured in The New York Times and USA Today. Civil War Journey recreates Indiana’s only Civil War battle using technology, characters and authentic sets including a recreation of 1863 DuPont, Indiana, one of the targets of the raid of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan.

Country Fair, sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, will also feature fun, interactive activities such as a watermelon seed-spitting contest, pie-eating contests, tug-of-war competitions, as well as Conner Prairie’s famous hand-dipped caramel apples from The Apple Store.   Kids will especially enjoy meeting Nickelodeon’s famous Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius as a featured attraction on Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4:15 p.m.

Join us for Country Fair and Indy Mini Maker Faire® Saturday, September 17, 2011, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m and Sunday, September 18, 2011, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission is $14.00 Adults, $13.00 Seniors 65+, and $9 Youth (2-12). Free for members and children under two years of age