DNR at 2006 State Fair-----------------------
-Wild game cookout
-New fishing ponds, butterfly garden and amphitheater
-Mother Nature's Mercantile
-Old favorites
Wild fare at fair--------------------
Hungry fairgoers can taste wild fish and game at the Taste of the Wild cookout, at 11 a.m. Aug. 12.
At the cookout, Hoosier sportsmen and women provide venison chili, steelhead trout, beaver barbecue, turtle soup and more. Food will be served at stations located around the Natural Resources Building.
"The Indiana State Fair's wild game cookout is a great opportunity for Hoosiers to try a taste of Indiana's wildlife bounty," said DNR Director Kyle Hupfer. "Indiana sporting groups continue to pull together to make this a great event and an important State Fair tradition."
New fishing pond, butterfly garden and amphitheater-------------------------------------------------
The Indiana DNR is bringing more fun to the fair this year, with a brand new 312,000-gallon Fishin' Pond, presented by Veolia Water, a new butterfly garden and a 150-seat amphitheater.
At the Fishin' Pond, volunteers will be on hand to teach kids, ages 5-16, how to fish.
The free fishing program is hosted from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. daily. Pre-registration up to an hour before each session is required. All fishing is catch and release and kids must be accompanied by an adult to participate.
Great gifts at Mother Nature's Mercantile---------------------------------------------
Put your feet up and rest a spell -- the Indiana way. Hickory settees, loungers, chairs, and children's furniture will be available at Mother Nature's Mercantile this year at the Indiana State Fair. This Indiana product is made from a rustic hickory wood, and is available in limited supply only.
The store also features clothing, jewelry, toys, books, food, kitchenware and other outdoor-related items. All of these items make great gifts for outdoor enthusiasts.
Mother Nature's Mercantile in the back of the DNR building. The store will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and Sundays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays during the fair.
Old favorites--------------
Regulars to the fair will still find DNR exhibits they've come to love, including the huge state fair fish aquariums and nature programs.
Have a great time with live animals, flintknappers, weird scientists and many other programs at the DNR building. Each day at the fair, you can get a look at a live snake or two in the "Snakes Alive/Indiana Herps" program.
Programs take place on our front porch and at our brand new 150-seat amphitheater. Don't forget to look for our roving naturalists, too. Most days, they'll visit the building with special features, ranging from prehistoric bones to tree identification tips.
Programs scheduled to run during the fair include:- Raptors shows with owls, hawks and C-52, Patoka Lake's resident bald eagle
- Nature Photography - ask questions about camera equipment and bring your photos for review and advice from DNR photographers
- The Prehistoric Road Show - bring your artifacts in for identification (no fossils, please) by DNR archaeology staff
- The DNR Resource Dog's Workout - discover how our canine friends make great partners for Indiana Conservation Officers
- Indiana Bats - What's myth and what's reality?
- Smokey Bear's Birthday Party - Meet the bear himself and take in a concert by M.C. Axe and the Fire Crew
- Attracting Birds to your Backyard - Discover ways to create habitat out your back door, presented by Wild Birds Unlimited
The Indiana State Fair runs Aug. 9 to Aug. 20 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds located on the northside of Indianapolis.
2006 State Fair DNR program schedule:
www.IN.gov/dnr/statefair/Indiana State Fair information:
www.IN.gov/statefair/Mother Nature's Mercantile:
estore.dnr.state.in.us/
