The Hoosier Lottery Free Stage at the Indiana State Fairgrounds is getting an upgrade. Designed for major touring acts, the new stage will include a 60-by-40-foot performance area with offstage wings, a 30-foot roof height capable of supporting 92,000 pounds of equipment, and twin 10-by-18-foot LED video walls integrated into the setup.
The two-phase construction project, expected to be completed in time for the 2026 Indiana State Fair, also includes a renovated audience area at Celebration Park in the northwest corner of the fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St.
Chief Operating Officer Ray Allison said the project will cost $4 million.
The outdoor venue’s schedule will expand beyond the fair, with officials announcing that concerts will be held year-round. MOKB Presents, the company behind the Hi-Fi and Hi-Fi Annex venues in Fountain Square, will oversee scheduling and operations for non-fair shows. While they’ll manage the concert programming, they’re open to collaborating with other promoters.
“This venue serves a hole in the market for artists seeking an outdoor boutique amphitheater that can host 7,500 people” Dan Kemer, co-owner and business developer of MOKB Presents, says. “Now, Indianapolis has a venue we can pitch to artists, agents, and managers to further develop their artists.”
The second phase of the construction project focuses on the audience area at Celebration Park, including the installation of tiered seating to enhance sightlines. An estimated 800,000 people attend the Indiana State Fair each year. While the stage is at the center of the update, the redesigned audience space will also serve as a flexible venue for other year-round events and community gatherings.
