The 168th Indiana State Fair concluded its 2025 season with a slight attendance increase, drawing 854,977 visitors over 15 days. Franklin College’s collegiate journalists, part of The Statehouse File program, extensively covered the event, producing nearly 30 stories and 550 photos and videos. Their reporting highlighted the fair’s blend of tradition, agriculture, and community, while also touching on subtle political elements like a voter registration booth. The fair featured new attractions such as the Vinyl Revival and Big Top Circus alongside classic events like Band Day, rodeos, and 4-H competitions, engaging nearly 10,000 participants with over 50,000 entries.

For many Franklin College students, covering the fair was a unique journalistic experience, offering a more diverse and dynamic environment compared to their usual political reporting. Students appreciated the opportunity to tell stories of everyday Hoosiers and Indiana culture, gaining confidence and versatility in their craft. The fair, a longstanding Indiana tradition since 1852, continues to be a vibrant celebration of the state’s heritage and community spirit, with plans already underway for the 2026 event.