Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, July 31, 2013
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Two DNR favorites — “Snakes Alive” and the Kids Fishin’ Pond — kick off day No. 1 of the Indiana State Fair and will be offered daily, Aug. 2-18.
Another annual favorite, the Taste of the Wild cookout, will take place on Saturday, Aug. 3, at 11 a.m.
All three events will be adjacent to the air-conditioned Natural Resources Building, the hub of DNR State Fair activities. Check dnr.IN.gov/statefair for the entire DNR schedule.
During Snakes Alive, interpretive naturalists from across Indiana will talk about snakes Hoosiers might find in their backyards. Start time is 10 a.m. daily at the 150-seat DNR amphitheater.
The 312,000-gallon Fishin' Pond next to the amphitheater is packed with fish ready to be caught and released. Youth fishing is available most days from 9 a.m. to noon and from 4 to 7 p.m., although on Friday, Aug. 2, only the evening session is offered. Parents/guardians should check the daily schedule online or in the State Fair program. New this year, kids will be able to fish with family members on Family Fishing Fridays at the Fishin' Pond.
Also featured each afternoon is a program with at least one live bird of prey. These programs take place at 4:30 p.m. every day except Aug. 3, when start time is 3:30 p.m.
This Saturday's Taste of the Wild is the ultimate food superstar at the State Fair. Visitors can try samples of steelhead trout, venison, barbecued beaver, turtle soup, Asian carp and more, prepared and provided by DNR staff and volunteer groups.
Taste of the Wild preparers and providers include the White River Bow Hunters Association, Indiana Deer Hunters Association, Indiana Wildlife Federation, Indianapolis Flycasters, Farmland Conservation Club, Indiana Wild Turkey Federation and Northwest Indiana Steelheaders, as well as Jim and Nancy Mahoney, and Ken and Robin Groves.
Taste of the Wild, the snake show and Fishin' Pond, like all DNR activities at the fair, are free after paying gate admission. DNR Backyard activities are sponsored by Citizens Energy Group.
Visitors to the building also can view native Indiana fish in aquariums, pick up free copies of the latest Recreation Guide and other informational brochures, subscribe to Outdoor Indiana magazine at a State Fair special deal, ask questions of DNR experts, visit the Mercantile to purchase unique outdoors-based items, or just take an air-conditioned break.
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