Deep-fried deals and discounts you don't want to miss at the state fair
Get ahead of the crowds, and costs, by purchasing tickets in advance. Admission and parking are 20% off through July 31, and midway wristbands are available at a 38% discount for select days.
Mark your calendar because each day of the fair features its own specials from $2 food items to free entry for military families.
Other perks include $1 off admission for those who bike to the fair, plus free secure bike parking.
The fairgrounds will be closed on Mondays during the fair. The hours for all remaining days of the week are as follows:
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USA Today
19 hours ago
- USA Today
ESPN power ranks mascots. Where is Ohio State mascot Brutus?
There aren't too many college mascots more beloved than Ohio State mascot, Brutus. He's an iconic one and has been around a long, long time, even becoming beloved by longtime ESPN College GameDay host, Lee Corso. In fact, Corso has put the Brutus head on more than any other college mascot. Brutus has evolved over the years to the current appearance of wearing a uniform with a Buckeye Nut head that's much, much smaller than it was when first introduced in 1965. Either way, there aren't too many mascots that are as recognizable as Brutus is across college athletics. He's not a fearsome mascot, but a fun, wildly popular, high energy one that interacts with fans. But where would Brutus fit if power ranking mascots? That is, of course, a subjective question, but one that ESPN's Ryan McGee set out to answer. He published a piece last week power ranking mascots across different divisions, and Brutus was featured in the "Costume Divison." McGee only identified the top five and had Brutus at the No. 2 spot, right behind the Oregon Duck at No. 1. "As hard as it is to believe, before 1965 there was no mascot in Columbus," McGee said. "After flirting with the idea of bringing a live buck onto the sidelines of the Horseshoe, a student vote settled on Buckeyes, honoring the official state tree of Ohio, and the name Brutus. "Over the years, Brutus generally has been considered the template for the "person in clothes but with a huge plastic head" model for modern mascot business. Thankfully, Brutus has experienced some extreme cranial makeovers -- and shrinkage -- through the ages. The O.G. O-H-I-O Buckeye looked more like a chocolate bonbon bowling ball than a fearsome football foe." So, what other costumed mascots made the top five? Behind Brutus and the Duck were Big Red of Western Kentucky (3), the Stanford Tree (4), and Keggy the Keg of Dartmouth at No. 4 (I have to admit I didn't know that was a thing, but brownie points for being creative). Now, being an Ohio State website, of course, many aren't going to like Brutus finishing behind the Oregon Duck, but the Duck does get cool points for coming out on a motorcycle and trolling other schools in a lighthearted way. Let's call it 1A and 1B, shall we? You can get a look at the other divisions and rankings of the mascot power rankings by visiting and taking a look at a fun list to look at during the offseason. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
Indianapolis Star
2 days ago
- Indianapolis Star
Here's what's happening this year at the Indiana State Fair
Break out the sunscreen and get ready for some funnel cake, free music and deep-fried diet busters. It's time for the Indiana State Fair. Whether you're in it for the animals, the rides, the food or exhibits, here's everything you need to know about the 2025 summer favorite. This year's fair runs from Aug. 1 through Aug. 17. It's closed on Mondays. First time attending? I didn't know what a Hoosier was. Then I went to the Indiana State Fair The fair's hours are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Entry ends at 8 p.m. every day. The Midway is also closed on Mondays. Here are the full hours, except on the final day of the fair when it will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Also note that wristbands for the Midway aren't sold after 8:30 p.m. or accepted after 10 p.m. Tuesday: 12 p.m. – 11 12 p.m. - 10 12 p.m. – 10 - Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11 12 p.m. - 10 p.m. Building and exhibit hours are Tuesday - Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. This year will feature a new strongman show, interactive glass blowing workshops, a wolfpack, a corn eating competition and more. See the full list of new features and more details here. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or chaperone (age 21+) to enter starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and starting at 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. More on the policy: Full details of Indiana State Fair 2025 Unaccompanied Minor Policy The Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center is at 1202 E. 38th Street in Indianapolis. Here are the driving directions suggested on the State Fair website: From the North Via I-65 (Chicago, IL): Take Exit 119 to West 38th Street. Continue 4.5 miles and the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center will be on your left. Via I-69 (Fort Wayne, IN): I-69 becomes Binford Boulevard in Indianapolis. After 6 miles, Binford Boulevard becomes Fall Creek Parkway. From Fall Creek Parkway, turn Right on East 38th Street and the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center will be on your right. From the South Via I-65 (Louisville, KY): Merge onto I-70 East. Take Exit 85B to North Keystone Avenue. Turn Left on East 38th Street and the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center will be ahead on your right. From the East Via I-70 (Columbus, OH): Take Exit 85 to Keystone Avenue and turn Right. Turn Left on East 38th Street and the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center will be ahead on your right. Via I-74 (Cincinnati, OH): Merge onto I-465 North. Take Exit 44A to I-70 West. Take Exit 85 to Keystone Avenue and turn Right. Turn Left on East 38th Street and the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center will be ahead on your the West Via I-70 (St. Louis, MO): Take Exit 85B to North Keystone Avenue. Turn Left on East 38th Street and the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center will be ahead on your right Via I-74 (Danville, IL): Merge onto I-465 North. Take Exit 17 to West 38th Street. Turn Right on West 38th Street and continue 7 miles to the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center on your left. Fairgrounds parking is $10 per vehicle. Available parking areas are located in the Fairgrounds Infield, South Lot (38th Street) and at the Indiana School for the Deaf (42nd Street), while space is available. The South and School for the Deaf lot hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Those attending by Uber, Lyft, or taxi should use the address 3773 Woodland Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46205 for your rideshare drop-off location. Enter through Gate 7 on 38th Street. 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Entry is free with your fair ticket, seating is first come first served and you are allowed to bring your own lawn chair. There are some reserved seating areas this year you can buy upgraded access to that include a separate bar and other perks. This year's theme is the "Soundtrack of Summer," which will include an exhibit on iconic album covers and a pop-up record store. Several big names are expected for 2025, including Indianapolis native Babyface and actor Bill Murray. Most performances start at 7:30 p.m., but beware a few do start earlier. ▶ Here's who you can expect this year. Every year, IndyStar sees the requests made by each band and what they were paid. Cheez-Its, M&Ms and absolutely no Sam's Club lasagna were on last year's demands. ▶ Visit the Indiana State Fair website to find your favorite animals and view the schedule of events. Preliminaries for the 2025 Band Day are at 9 a.m. on Aug. 1 at the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand. 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USA Today
2 days ago
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Q&A with Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald from 'Happy Gilmore 2'
'Happy Gilmore 2' is streaming live on Netflix today, July 25, and the anticipation for the sequel has been at a fever pitch, ever since the Adam Sandler project was announced. In the sequel, co-written by Sandler, Happy has left golf behind after a tragic accident years ago. When he needs to raise $300,000 to send his daughter Vienna (Sunny Sandler) to a prestigious ballet school in Paris, Happy hits the links again, where he runs into old pal Shooter (and his celebratory finger guns). Happy also has to save traditional golf when an energy drink mogul (Benny Safdie) tries to popularize a more extreme version of the sport. Our friends at USA Today caught up with the trio in advance of the release and asked a few questions of stars Adam Sandler (Gilmore), Julie Bowen (Virginia Venit) and Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin). Q: Adam, it takes Happy a few holes to get his signature swing back. How about you in real life? Sandler: I didn't practice at all before the movie. I don't know why. And then I was like, "Oh, yeah, how's this go again?" And then it came back pretty quick. The beauty of the movie is you can swing and miss and then they say, "OK, let's do another take." We got a few chances to get it right. Julie and Chris, this movie is packed with cameos. Who were your favorites to see walk on set? Sandler: None of them would talk to Julie. Bowen: Also, my trailer was a mile away from set. McDonald: By design. Bowen: The call sheet was coded. It did not have anybody's names on it and there were 135 different cast members. I was flying back and forth because I still have kids in school in California and we shot in New Jersey. I would see Polaroids in the hair and makeup trailer and I saw a person that no one's mentioned yet. And I'm like, "When was he here?!" "He's Newscaster No. 4." And I'm like, "Are you kidding me?" More: This breakdown of Happy Gilmore's incredible golf swing is something to behold Sandler: Bubba Watson. You loved your Bubba. Julie knows her golf, by the way. McDonald: He's a good man, Bubba Watson. I have known a few of these golf legends and legends-in-training. But seeing them one-on-one, it's like: "Oh, my God, that's Rory McIlroy. That's Bryson DeChambeau. That's Scottie Scheffler." It was mind-blowing for me. And I came in on my days off just to hang out with them. Sandler: They all love seeing Shooter. Adam, both your daughters and wife are in the sequel. What does it mean to you to have these kinds of movies that you used to make with your friends now become part of this bigger family legacy? Sandler: It is just all happening fast. Kids are growing up − they really are into acting and movies, and it's always been our thing to work with our friends and family. It's cool to see them getting better. They work hard and they go to school for it, and they love it. So, yeah, I'm just proud. Couldn't love them more. Was there anything from the first movie that you all used in the new movie? Bowen: I got my hair back. Was that your OG jersey? Sandler: I got a different size (laughs). The hockey jersey went from a medium to a something. There were a couple Xs in there. The real grandpa's clubs (from the first film) are in the movie. Bowen: Finger guns? McDonald: I brought the kids out. Chris, how many times in a week do people do the finger guns to you? McDonald: Well, it depends on where I am. Airports, 4,000. Walking the city streets of New York, 9,000. It seems like it's every day when I'm out in public. It's really cool. People are kind enough just to go, "Shootah!" and we have a good laugh. The fans are what keeps this classic going. So I have no problems at all pulling out the guns when necessary.
