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Marion County Fair starts Friday

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Watch for some extra traffic — and happy people — in the southeast corner of Marion County.

They’ll be guests at the Marion County Fair.

“On Tuesday,” said Ron Phillips with the Marion County Fair Board. “The food vendors will have an item that you can purchase at regular price, get the second one for 85 cents. Then on Thursday is a play on 85 where, if you’re 85 years young, you get in free. If you were born in 1985, you get in free. And, thirdly, if you were born on Augusts 5, thus the 8 & 5, you get in free.”

Phillips has been a fan of the fair since his boyhood and he started going there with his father. He has made it a tradition for his family and he hopes more families will start their own family traditions this year.

This Sunday will be the first time Father’s Day has fallen during the county fair schedule. “So, on Sunday the 21st, we have a lot of activity geared for dads and their kids, uncles and grandpas and their kids — all the way from ATV drag racing to dancing with your daughter on the Fred Astaire dance floor in the plaza.”

Phillips said the Marion County also has “something to crow about” for people who appreciate poultry. They don’t need to worry about the spread of bird flu.

“The Marion County Fair will indeed have hens and roosters because they live year-round, they are residents in the Peaceful Grounds urban farming area. So people will be coming to their property. You’re coming to see the hens and roosters where they live.”

The fair runs June 19 through the 28.

General admission is $5.

Children who are five and under get in free. Admission is also free for people who present a valid military ID.

Phillips says you can get a dollar off the admission price by printing a coupon on the fair’s web site.