State Fair's highlight is DNR, naturally

Indiana DNR Release:

Get natural with the DNR at this year's State Fair, which opens Friday in Indianapolis. Visitors to the Natural Resources Building and area, can have fun viewing and learning about everything from snakes to fish to butterflies.

All DNR activities at the fair are free after paying gate admission to the fair.

An old DNR favorite, the snake show “Snakes Alive!” returns. Interpretive naturalists from state properties all over Indiana will display snakes Hoosiers might find in their own backyards. The show takes place every day at 10 a.m. at the 150-seat DNR amphitheater, adjacent to the Natural Resources Building.

The ever-popular 312,000-gallon Fishin' Pond returns for a fourth year, packed with fish ready to be caught, then released. It's open every day from 4 to 7 p.m., located next to the Natural Resources Building. Youth fishing is also available from 9 a.m. to noon every day except Aug. 7-8 and 17-21. Parents should register their children between the ages of 5 and 17 when they enter the fair to reserve a time to fish later in the day.

Other Indiana fish, including a paddlefish and lake sturgeon, will be available for viewing both inside and outside the Natural Resources Building throughout the fair.

Butterfly Corner is situated beside the Natural Resources Building, ready to give viewers a close-up look at some of Indiana's native butterflies. Visitors can also get tips for attracting butterflies to their backyard.

Fairgoers can learn about every division of the DNR inside the Natural Resources Building, where they can pick up free copies of the latest Recreation, Fishing or Hunting guides and other DNR publications, subscribe to Outdoor Indiana magazine, ask questions of DNR experts, or just take an air-conditioning break.

Aug. 13 is the inaugural Hoosier Heritage Day at the fair, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., on State Fair Boulevard and in the Pioneer Village. Sponsored by 12 State agencies and three statewide not-for-profits, the event is the first time an entire day at the State Fair has been devoted to Indiana history. For a lineup of the day’s events, go to www.IN.gov/dnr/historic and click on the Hoosier Heritage Day logo.

These fun and educational opportunities are just a few of those available from the DNR this year at the fair, which runs through Aug. 23. Gate admission is $8 for adults; free for children age 5 and younger.

For a complete schedule of DNR activities at the State Fair, plus links to the DNR's State Fair blog and photos, see dnr.IN.gov/statefair. The DNR also will be posting on its Facebook page at Facebook.com/Indnr, naturally.