Every day is DNR day at the State Fair, starting Friday

Indiana DNR Release:

Special days for this and that abound throughout the Indiana State Fair, which opens Friday morning in Indianapolis, but every day at the fair is DNR day.

Two DNR daily favorites launch on day one—the snake show "Snakes Alive!" at 10 a.m. and the Kids Fishin’ Pond, from 4 to 7 p.m.—along with many other features near or inside the air-conditioned Natural Resources Building, the center of DNR activities, Aug. 6-22.

Friday’s an appetizer for Saturday’s highlight and perhaps the ultimate food superstar among many serious culinary contenders. The Taste of the Wild cookout, which is free, starts at 11 a.m. Fairgoers can sample steelhead trout, venison, barbecued beaver, and more, while supplies last.

Like the cookout, snake show and Kids Fishin’ Pond, all DNR activities at the fair are free after paying gate admission to the fair. See dnr.IN.gov and click on the State Fair learn-more link to see a full DNR schedule.

During the snake show, interpretive naturalists from state properties all over Indiana will talk about 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.

Next to the amphitheater sits the 312,000-gallon Fishin' Pond, which returns for a fifth year, packed with fish ready to be caught, then released. Youth fishing is available every day except Aug. 18, usually from 9 a.m. to noon and from 4 to 7 p.m. Interested parents should check the day’s schedule online in advance or in the fair program upon entering the fair, or make the pond their first stop to view that day’s hours and sign up children to reserve a time to fish later in the day.

For the first time, the Fishin’ Pond is allowing adults to fish with kids during three special days. Aug. 14 is Fish with a Fireman Day. Aug. 17 is Fish with a Grandparent Day. Aug. 19 is Fish with a Veteran or Military Member Day.

The activities at the Fishin’ Pond and amphitheater are sponsored by Citizens Energy Group.

Inside the Natural Resources Building, guests can view fish in aquariums, pick up free copies of the latest Recreation Guide and many other informational brochures, subscribe to Outdoor Indiana magazine at a State Fair special deal, ask questions of DNR experts, visit Mother Nature’s Mercantile to purchase unique outdoors-based items, take an air-conditioned break and much more.

Follow DNR activities at the State Fair at the DNR's State Fair blog and photos and on Facebook at Facebook.com/INdnr.