I spent a full day at the LaPorte County Fair this year. I went in late morning and stayed past dark. My hair smelled like kettle corn and diesel by the end. Honestly, that’s part of the charm.
First look: hot sun, big smiles
Parking was in a grass lot. The air felt sticky, like warm syrup. I could hear a tractor humming from the grandstand and a kid laughing on the Tilt-A-Whirl. You know what? That first walk in made me grin. It felt small-town and huge at the same time.
For basics like gate times and admission options, the official fair site is your quickest reference before you roll up.
I saw teens in matching 4-H shirts hauling feed buckets. I saw a grandma carrying a lawn chair like a pro. I joined the slow parade of folks drifting toward the food.
Full disclosure: this quick rundown only scratches the surface. If you want the step-by-step play-by-play, you can jump over to my long-form itinerary of the LaPorte County Fair 2024.
What I ate (and yes, I’d eat it again)
I promised myself I’d keep it simple. That didn’t happen.
- Lemon shake-up: Cold, tart, sweet. The ice clinked in the cup while I stood in the shade by the grandstand.
- Pork tenderloin sandwich: Big as my face. Crunchy edges, soft bun. I added mustard. No regrets.
- Curly fries: I waited about 25 minutes because I could see the fryer working hard. Worth it. Salty, hot, gone fast.
- Elephant ear: Cinnamon sugar dusted everywhere. My shirt looked like winter.
A small note: one stand only took cash. The ATM line moved, but the fee stung a little. I wish I’d brought more singles.
Rides and games I actually tried
I’m not a thrill person, but I did a handful:
- Ferris wheel at sunset: Lake breezes and cornfields in the distance. The view felt soft and wide.
- Tilt-A-Whirl: I laughed and then felt a tiny bit green. My niece thought that was hilarious.
- Water-gun race game: I won a tiny blue llama keychain. It squeaks. My keys squeak now.
The midway looked clean. Staff kept it moving. I did see one ride pause for a quick check, which I appreciated. Better safe than sorry.
The dizzy grin I wore afterward would have made an odd mugshot; if you're curious how the county's digital mugshot databases actually work, check out what happened when I tried LaPorte County Mugshots.
Barn time: real life, real sweat
The 4-H barns were my favorite part. It’s the heart of this fair.
I watched a teen in crisp jeans walk a dairy heifer in the ring. Her hands shook a little, but the judge smiled and asked kind questions. I learned how to spot a good top line on a hog. I also learned goats will chew your shirt if you stand too close. Ask me how I know.
The rabbit barn had fans running. So did the poultry area. People spoke in that hushed, proud tone you hear at graduations. If you’ve never seen the care that goes into these animals, stay a while in there.
If you’ve ever wondered how efficiently the county tracks humans the way 4-H kids track their livestock, I wrote a hands-on take on the LaPorte County JailTracker.
Grandstand noise (in the best way)
I caught the tractor pull later in the day. Bring earplugs, or at least your hands. Metal bleachers warmed my legs, and a little dust floated up with each run. It’s loud, but the crowd energy feels kind. Folks clap for everyone.
I also sat through part of a rodeo event. The riders looked calm and focused, like they were talking to the horses with tiny movements. A little kid behind me kept counting “one Mississippi, two Mississippi” during a ride. It made me laugh.
LaPorte County has plenty of boisterous moments, but there’s also a sobering side; after the fair I tested the online records and wrote my take on the LaPorte County arrests and inmate search.
If the roar of the tractor pull made you wish you had someone fun to share the bleacher dust with, you can line up that company ahead of time through PlanCul, a straightforward app that connects you with nearby singles so you don’t have to rely on chance encounters at the next fair. If your summer route swings you through Perry and you’d rather have a friendly face waiting at the next midway stop, the community classifieds on Doublelist Perry let you browse real-time local posts and set up casual meet-ups before you even turn off the highway.
Little stuff that matters
- Shade is gold. Best spots: by the horticulture building and near the old trees by the craft exhibits.
- Bathrooms: the permanent ones near the exhibit halls were a notch better than the portables behind the grandstand. Mornings were cleaner.
- Water refill: I found a spigot by the livestock area and topped off my bottle. Cold and perfect.
- Shoes: Wear closed-toe. Barn floors can get wet, and the midway can be gritty.
What I spent (roughly)
I didn’t track every penny, but here’s the shape of it:
- Fair entry for me and a kid.
- Ride wristband for the kid during the afternoon window.
- Food for two people (drinks, snacks, the big tenderloin).
- One game splurge.
Let’s just say it wasn’t cheap, but it didn’t wreck my month. Under festival prices, over weekday dinner. Bring cash and a card, just in case.
If your wallet ever feels “LaPorte County busted” after events like this, you might appreciate my honest month-long review of the LaPorte County Busted service.
What bugged me a bit
- Midday heat was no joke. I found a hot patch by the swine barn where the sun bounced off the metal roof. I needed a break.
- Lines popped up fast at prime time. Especially fries, lemonade, and the big rides. If waiting sets you off, hit those early.
- The PA system near the barns crackled sometimes. I missed part of an announcement about a show time.
None of these were deal breakers. Just things I’d plan around next time.
One warm moment I’ll keep
A 4-H mom handed me a damp towel when she saw my niece flush from the heat. “We keep a cooler for the kids,” she said, like it was the most normal thing in the world. That’s the fair. People look out for each other, even if you just met five seconds ago.
Tips I wish I knew yesterday
- Sunscreen, bug spray, seat cushion, hand wipes. Trust me.
- Go early for barn time, late for lights and rides.
- Eat the big sandwich first, share the sweets after.
- Bring a small backpack. Pockets fill up fast with prize trinkets and napkins.
- Take a lap before buying. The second lemonade stand had better shade.
- Bookmark the detailed 2025 fair schedule PDF so you can plan which show ring or grandstand you want to hit without fumbling for a paper handout.
Final take
The LaPorte County Fair 2024 felt true. Loud engines. Soft animals. Fry oil. Laughing kids. I left tired, sticky, and happy. If you want a fair that still feels like a fair, this one delivers.
If you’re mapping out the rest of your summer, the statewide events calendar at ALCO makes it easy to spot the next county fair or festival near you.
Dreaming bigger than just a weekend trip? You can read about how I took the plunge and bought land in LaPorte County—the fair might have been the spark that nudged me toward putting down roots.
Would I go again? Yep. I’d pack more water, fewer expectations, and the same big appetite.