The Fair budgeted for a $600,000 profit; it only made about $500,000. And it took a significant hit at its major concerts.
In the wake of last year’s stage collapse, the Fair moved its biggest concerts to Banker’s Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. State Fair executive director Cindy Hoye said the downtown concerts didn’t work and won’t happen again next year.
"Our customers want to be here," said Hoye. "They didn’t understand the whole idea, it didn’t work, and so we’re bringing back some, what I say, some headline entertainment for free on the free stage."
Attendance at the 2012 Fair was 854,000. The president of the State Fair Board said he thinks that had more to do with the high temperatures and rain, than the lack of big concerts on the grounds.