Festivals and events
Thunder Over Louisville
late April Thunder Over Louisville Clarksville and Jeffersonville. (http://www.thunderoverlou...) The opening ceremonies to Louisville, Kentucky's Kentucky Derby Festival. Thunder Over Louisville is the largest annual fireworks show in the country, and the best viewing is along the Indiana shore of the Ohio River. If you plan to get a good seat, prepare to come the day before and camp. In the afternoon, private and military aircraft provide a magnificent airshow. After sunset, the fireworks begin and last nearly half an hour.
Indiana State Fair
Early-Mid August Indiana State Fair State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis. (http://www.in.gov/statefair/) The biggest summer event in the state. A trip to Indiana isn't complete without a trip to the fair. Animals, crafts, art, rides, dancing, eduation, enviromentalism, Hoosier Pride and FOOD!! I go at least 2-3 times within the two week period. They also have live music and concerts. Prairie Home Companion comes every other year.
Lanesville Heritage Weekend
Mid-September Lanesville Heritage Weekend Lanesville. (http://www.lanesville.k12...) A fall festival typical of many in southern Indiana. Is similar to a county fair, but later in the year. Local food and crafts are available, while rides and tractor and truck pulls provide entertainment.
West Side Nut Club Fall Festival
Early October West Side Nut Club Fall Festival Evansville. Called the second largest street festival in the United States after Mardi Gras. It takes place on several blocks of Franklin Street on the west side of the city during the first full week of October. The main attraction of the festival is its food booths which sell a large variety of foods including brain sandwiches and chocolate-covered grasshoppers. The festival draws over a hundred thousand visitors every fall.
Harvest Homecoming Festival
Early-mid October Harvest Homecoming Festival New Albany. (http://www.harvesthomecom...) The largest festival in southern Indiana brings participants from miles around. The festivities begin with a Saturday morning parade through the streets of New Albany. THe festival lasts for several weeks, and includes vendor booths downtown and carnival rides.
Feast of the Hunters' Moon
Mid October Feast of the Hunters' Moon Lafayette, (http://www.tcha.mus.in.us...) The Feast re-creates early 18th century life near the site of Fort Ouiatenon, a French trading outpost.
sports
College sports- Indiana is home to many Division I NCAA schools, including: Ball State University Muncie Butler University Indianapolis, IUPUI Indianapolis, Indiana State University Terre Haute, Indiana University Bloomington, Purdue University West Lafayette, University of Evansville Evansville and University of Notre Dame South Bend.
Racing- The Indianapolis 500 race is the most attended sporting event in the world. It's common to see many vendors and spectacular displays during the pre-race most notably the singing of "Back Home Again In Indiana" by Jim Nabors and the overfly of the stealth bomber at the conclusion of the National Anthem. Also don't forget the Allstate 400 formerly the Brickyard 400 NASCAR race held every summer in Indianapolis. IRP Indianapolis Raceway Park also holds the grand nationals of drag racing at it's facility. IRP is located about 10 miles west north-west of Indianapolis in Hendricks County
Racing- Salem Speedway. (http://www.salemspeedway.com/) Home to many small-circuit races throughout the year, Salem is often called the "fastest half mile in the world." With only a chain-link fence separating the pit lane from the infield, Salem offers a more interactive fan experience than many larger tracks.