Indiana State Fair a Sip Closer to beer, wine

When the Indiana State Fair rolls around this August, Hoosiers will be able to enjoy frothy cups of beer and glasses of wine with their elephant ears.

Gov. Mike Pence has signed into law a measure that lifts a 67-year ban on alcohol sales at the fair.

The ban was enacted in 1947 after litterbugs trashed the fairgrounds with beer bottles, which were dispensed after vendors ran out of paper cups.

Pence seems satisfied that alcohol sales will flow more smoothly this time around, despite concerns by some fairgoers that the change could tarnish the event’s family friendly atmosphere.

The governor is “confident that the Indiana State Fair will manage the sale of alcoholic beverages in a manner that will showcase Indiana producers and respect the family oriented traditions of the best state fair in America,” Pence spokeswoman Christy Denault said late Saturday.

The new law, contained in Senate Enrolled Act 339, would take effect July 1. That clears the way for alcohol sales at this year’s state fair, which will be Aug. 1-17.

The fair’s developing plan calls for allowing beer and wine sales in a confined area that would be off limits to anyone under 21, said fair spokesman Andy Klotz.

The new law says alcohol at the fair can only be sold by the glass. Alcohol would not be allowed to leave the designated area, Klotz said Sunday in an email.

“We will certainly focus on Indiana beer and wines and are still researching to see if it can be those products exclusively.”

That would let the fair promote products from Indiana’s burgeoning craft beer and wine industry.

Klotz said the fair’s alcohol sales plan eventually will go before the Indiana State Fair Commission for review and, ultimately, to the State Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.

For years, visitors have asked why they can’t buy beer at Indiana’s fair, especially when they can at other state fairs, family amusement parks and professional sporting events.

The only other state fair that bans alcohol sales is North Carolina’s.