It’s an Indiana State Fair tradition that goes back more than 50 years.
In the early 1970’s, several independent pork producers brought a grill to the fairgrounds to serve pork products to hungry Hoosiers and spread the word about Indiana’s pork industry. Today, the Indiana State Fair is home to three Pork Tents throughout the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center to bring you the best of what Indiana Pork Producers have to offer.
“You know, it’s not a State Fair if you don’t come in and eat a pork chop, eat a pork burger, and visit the Swine Barn,” says Jeanette Merritt, Director of Communications with the Indiana Pork Producers Association.
This year at their pork tents, you can find this year’s signature dish called, “BBQ Pig Wings.”
“Everybody who’s tasting them so far loves them,” says Merritt. “They are completely shocked by them because most people never had them. It’s the shank off of the pig—and it has a little bone in it so you can eat it with your fingers.”
Of course, Indiana Pork has many other traditional pork items on their menu.
“We also have our pork burgers and our pulled pork sandwiches. This year, we’re really excited to feature a 12-ounce pork chop, which I think our farmer friends are going to love because it is a hearty delicious meal in itself,” says Merritt.
Once you’re finished with your “BBQ Pig Wings” and your 12-ounce pork chop, she says you should look around inside the new Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, which will serve as a tool to educate others about Indiana pork production not just during the Indiana State Fair, but at all events held inside the new pavilion throughout the year.
“Indiana Pork has worked with the Indiana State Fair Commission on the messaging in the building that showcases the pig industry,” according to Merritt. “It explains how pigs are raised, it explains our ‘We Care’ principles, and talks about why we raise pigs and how farmers feed the world. When the car shows and track events are here those other 11 months of the year, those people who likely have no connection to pig agriculture are going to walk through this pavilion and have that opportunity to learn. I think that is so important for us to reach that crowd through this facility and it’s going to make waves in the future.”
Click below to hear C.J. Miller’s radio news report for Hoosier Ag Today.
