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State Fair moves 2012 concerts to Conseco Fieldhouse

Associated Press
November 10, 2011
Keywords
Arts & Entertainment, etc., Concerts, Events, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Music, Performing Arts, Tourism & Hospitality
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The Indiana State Fair is moving next year's big concerts to a downtown Indianapolis arena in the wake of August's deadly outdoor stage collapse.

The fair commission announced Thursday that big-name concerts during the 2012 fair will take place several miles away at Conseco Fieldhouse, but smaller concerts will still be held on the fairgrounds. The fair will offer a free shuttle service from the fairgrounds to Conseco for the concerts.

The commission hasn't made a decision on the future of the fair's grandstand.

Seven people were killed and dozens injured Aug. 13 when high winds toppled rigging from a temporary stage onto fans awaiting a concert by country duo Sugarland.

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  • What?
    rickNovember 10, 2011 3:50 PM
    Concerts at Conseco Fieldhouse are NOT state fair concerts. Surely there's enough time to either repair the outdoor venue, move the shows inside to the coliseum or cancel the shows.
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  • Just have the smaller acts
    CKNovember 10, 2011 2:26 PM
    I agree with PJ on this. We had tickets for concerts including Sugarland. It was another reason to go to the Fair. They should just have the smaller acts play this year. Thompson Square was a concert on the free stage and they wound up being on the CMA last night. We won't do inside durnig the summer - it will have to be either Verizon or the other outdoor venues around the City and not the Fair next year.
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  • No Choice
    Boomer IndyNovember 10, 2011 2:11 PM
    You have to understand the State Fair is already making plans for next year and the wreckage of the scaffolding is still there. They have to move forward. The only choice for next year is secure another facility now, then work on a long term solution. That will cost $$, which the State Fair likely doesn't have right now.
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  • Bad Decision
    PJNovember 10, 2011 2:04 PM
    This is a terrible decision and will likely cost vendors at the fair thousands of dollars. Concerts at the fair help draw thousands of visitors to it. Without these, the patrons will go to the concerts downtown and spend their money downtown. If the concerts are not held at the fairgrounds, then we can't really say they're part of the fair now can we? They're just regular concerts held at Conseco.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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