5 new experiences at 2015 Indiana State Fair

The Indiana State Fair is moving your cheese — and hiking the ticket price.

The price of a general admission ticket jumped to $12 for this summer's fair, up from $10 last year. Advance tickets also went up a buck to $8. The last ticket price increase came in 2012.

Lesley Gordon, fair spokeswoman, said the state fair relies on ticket sales, concessions and other fees for about 80 percent of its revenue.

Also changing is the location of the iconic giant cheese sculpture. It is moving to the Purdue Extension Ag/Hort Building. In past years, this fromage homage was on display at the Pioneer Our Land Pavilion.

Here are five more new things you'll find at this year's fair, Aug. 7-23.

1. Cowboys and Knights. The Knights of Valour will bring a medieval jousting tournament to the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand for a free show at 2 p.m. Aug. 13. The Great American Wild West Show pays homage to the Old West with daring horse riding and stunts for free shows at 2 and 7 p.m. on Aug. 16-17.

2. The Bicentennial Train. This rolling museum will be stationed at the fairgrounds with displays and characters commemorating Indiana's history (the state's bicentennial will be in 2016). Visit the train every day of the fair in the Family Fun Park.

3. Farm to fork. The Year of the Farmer is this year's theme. Post a #farmerselfie with the 17 featured growers—a different farm family for each day of the fair—roaming the fairgrounds. Hit the Harvest Pavilion's 3,000-square-foot Amazing Maize to learn everything past and present about growing, cooking and eating corn. Don't miss the LEGO farm or the competition among architects and engineers who will create structures using canned food.

4. Alcohol debuts at concerts, plus the Beer and Wine Exhibition is back. Belt out "All About That Bass" with a beer in hand. Adult beverages will be sold at the Coliseum's four ticketed concerts for the first time. The change comes just a year after a successful Beer and Wine Exhibition that ended a 67-year ban on alcohol at the fair. This year's exhibition in the Grand Hall will have at least 15 more local breweries and wineries showcasing products. The format remains – wristbands with three detachable vouchers limit consumption. Drinks can be purchased in sample flights or by the glass.

5. Relax and Recharge. Capturing all those State Fair memories takes a toll on a smart phone battery. This year, the WGU Indiana Re-Charge Lounge on the west end of the Harvest Pavilion has you covered. Plug in, take a seat and recharge.

Call Star reporter Vic Ryckaert at (317) 444-2701. Follow him on Twitter: @VicRyc.

Liz Biro contributed to this story.

If you go

What: 2015 Indiana State Fair: The Year of the Farmer.

When: Gates open daily at 8 a.m., Aug. 7-23.

Where: Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St.

Tickets: $12 general admission, $8 advance tickets purchased by Aug. 6, free for children five and under.

Information: (317) 927-7500, indianastatefair.com.