Indiana’s longest-running county fair is eagerly gearing up for its 179th year this summer, and it all kicks off just a short month away! Held from July 5-12, the La Porte County Fair is set to bring a week packed to the brim with activities and events for everyone of all ages to enjoy.
Whether you’re a parent looking to capture those wholesome summer memories with your kids, a country music fan ready to jam out to a live show, or someone wanting to show some support for your local community, Fair President Steve Mrozinski notes there’s sure to be something in the line up you don’t want to miss.
“We’re going to start the fair off with the monster trucks coming back - they're going to be there on the first Saturday of our fair. We have the rides coming back, and I think they start on that Monday, which is always a big day for the kids,” he said. “We have Warren Zeiders coming to our concert for this year on the Wednesday of our fair. Then we also have the Boys and Girls Clubs that we invite out in the mornings to go through and show everyone what 4-H is all about, which we feel is very good for the community.”
Both traditional activities and new attractions are in store this year, offering a diverse lineup of exciting activities to celebrate the fair’s rich history while bringing fresh experiences for all event goers throughout the week.
“We're going to have many types of animals there,” Mrozinski added. “We try to find something new every year that kids and their parents will enjoy at the fair. We have the woodcarvers, we have Pioneer Land, and we have so many different things that you can go through to see out there for all ages.”
Not only is the La Porte County Fair the oldest in the state, it’s also one of the largest according to Mrozinski – almost 500 kids have joined the 4-H program in just the last few years alone, and the campground holds over 200 campers. With a lot of space, attendees are in for a treat with top-notch entertainment throughout the week at the fairgrounds.
“We're one of the largest fairs – we're in the top three of the largest fairs in Indiana,” he said. “I think the entertainment we bring and what we put forth and towards the fair is something we’re looking forward to people seeing this year.”
4-H has always been a big part of the fair’s culture. Mrozinski and the fair team are excited to have even more kids join in on the fun this year as they learn quality life skills while showcasing their hard work during the fair’s run.
“Our 4-H is growing – we've probably gained 300 or 400 kids over the last couple years, and I think we're way over 1,000 4-Hers now,” he said. “We put up the barns for 4-H to get more animals there, and I feel that we're doing a good job keeping the 4-H happy and accommodating them with what they need.”
Mrozinski loves that the fair is a place for people of all ages, especially for the kids. The fair brings in so many opportunities for them both now and in the future – it’s a great way to dip their toes in and see how they can be involved down the road.
”I think it's great for our younger generation to see what some of the kids in 4-H are doing, all the new things that go on, and what we can do to get them more involved in things like agriculture in the community,” he said. “We have the Future Farmers of America out there and other organizations, and I think it's just a good thing for kids to see what they can do when they grow up.”
Some of these opportunities extend beyond the fair itself and into what really gives it heart - the local community. While the fair is certainly a fun-filled week, its impact extends well beyond its eight-day run through its contributions to 4-H, local Boys and Girls Clubs, and others such as Operation Feed La Porte County.
“Operation Feed La Porte County is where we get to buy meat at the fair from our 4-Hers,” Mrozinski said. “We buy any type of species there, then we take and get a package, and we hand those out to all the food pantries later that year. I think that's a good thing, and this year we have more organizations wanting to join us in that aspect of it, too.”
Bringing such a large and beloved summer staple to life is by no means a one man show - every person on the La Porte County Fair board brings their own unique perspective to the table. A group of almost 20 people with skillsets running from technology to machinery and everything in between come together to bring the fair to life each year.
“There are 18 of us on our fair board, and every one of them comes up with different ideas,” Mrozinski said. “We have people who are electricians. We have people who bring in their heavy machinery to help set up things. This is a big and year-round process, and I think we all work so well together and because of that, it all works out. We all do something different. We all put our minds together, and we all work well together.”
The La Porte County Fair opens at 10 a.m. each day, and while there is a small admission fee, parking is free at all times. To learn more about what the La Porte County Fair has in store this July, visit its website at lpfair.com.