Day 6: 2010 Indiana State Fair To Feature Japanese Exhibit

Press Release

The Indiana State Fair will have an international flavor beginning in 2010. During a visit to Indiana's sister-state today during his jobs mission, Governor Mitch Daniels announced that next year, the fair will feature a contemporary Japanese exhibit in the Grand Hall. A different country will be featured each year.

"With so many Hoosiers now employed by Japanese companies, this is a great opportunity to showcase the economic and cultural impact that Japan has on our state," said Daniels. "This is the first exhibit of its kind at the state fair so there's no more appropriate place to feature first than Japan."

Fairgoers will learn more about agriculture, life in Japan and the close ties the Japanese have with Indiana at the exhibit. The exhibit will be a cultural experience for people of all ages and will feature performing arts, authentic Japanese foods, interactive displays and educational opportunities.

"We're always looking for new ways to be innovative and attract new fairgoers and this is a perfect fit. Japanese companies have a growing presence in Indiana, and the state fair is the perfect place to for Hoosiers to enjoy the food and products of Japan and learn more about the country," said Cindy Hoye, executive director of the state fair. The 2010 state fair will run from August 6 to 22.

Governor Daniels made the announcement following a meeting at the Tochigi Prefectural Hall with Governor Tomikazu Fukuda. The governor also attended a luncheon with Tochigi city officials and joined Governor Fukuda at Tochigi Central Park to plant a tulip tree, Indiana's state tree, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the sister-state relationship.

Before returning to Tokyo, Daniels gave a presentation about Indiana's economic climate at a symposium hosted by Governor Fukuda for representatives of Japanese businesses from the area looking to expand into U.S. markets.

"Just as no relationship is more important to the United States as its relationship with Japan, so it is with Indiana's relationship with Japan, specifically with Tochigi Prefecture," said Daniels.

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