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No COVID-19 Restrictions, But Some Changes, At 2021 Indiana State Fair

The Indiana State Fair was canceled in 2020 for the first time since World War II.
The Indiana State Fair was canceled in 2020 for the first time since World War II.

The Indiana State Fair returns, starting July 30, a year after it was canceledfor the first time since World War II.

And there are some things a little different about this year’s event.

Sharon Smith, State Fair director of communications, said there will not be any COVID-19 restrictions imposed on guests at the 2021 fair.

“We do ask that folks who are not fully vaccinated, definitely follow the guidelines – the CDC guidelines – requiring whether and when they should wear a face covering,” Smith said.

READ MORE: How Is Indiana Distributing COVID-19 Vaccines? Here's What You Need To Know

There are some changes, however. To spread out attendance, the fair added a weekend onto its normal schedule, and the fair will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

“And that kind of allows us to refresh programming on those down days, to refresh the campus,” Smith said.

The State Fair, in Indianapolis, runs July 30 through Aug. 22.

Contact reporter Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

For the latest news and resources about COVID-19, bookmark our Coronavirus In Indiana page here

Brandon J. Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.