INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Sprayers, combines and tractors are lining up for inspection at the 28th annual Indiana-Illinois Farm and Outdoor Power Equipment Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Tuesday, Dec. 12 through Thursday, Dec. 14.

This indoor farm show enables farmers to come face to fender with massive equipment, said show manager, Richard Sherman, due to the 170,000 square feet inside the West Pavilion, where the show will be housed.

“We’re less of a picture and video show and more of an equipment show,” Sherman said.

“It’s not high pressure. Farmers can get under the equipment, get their questions answered, and no one is hustling them. We’re not so busy that you can’t get people to talk to you.”

The 53 large exhibit areas are all rented by exhibitors, bringing the total number of vendors to about 350, he said. John Deere, Case, Cat, Massey and Agco will be represented, as well as some new displays this year by Demco, Hardi, Landoll and others.

The largest display in the show is the 3,000 square foot John Deere exhibit, slightly eclipsing the 2,500 square foot Case exhibit and the 2,000 square foot Cat display, featuring the new MT665B and MT865B tractors.

“It’s really a complete show. We have every type of equipment,” said Sherman, noting that the variety and number of sprayers is exceptional this year.

New and improved
A section of modified tractors, with prostocks and superstocks, will sit alongside the old and outdated, a selection of 35 antique tractors. “Also in the planning stage is the addition of other antique farm-related equipment to the antique tractor display, including corn planters and shellers,” Sherman said. “With so much to see and do, this Indiana show will be outstanding, as good as any show in our 28-year history, and the admission will be free, the parking will be free and the seminars will be free.”

The seminar series, coordinated by Hoosier Ag Today, will turn its spotlight on growing more corn and market analysis. A seminar will be featured each day at 11 a.m. (See sidebar for more details.)

The farm show industry wasn’t really an industry when Sherman began running farm and automobile shows almost 30 years ago. His was often the only show in the state.

He’s kept about 22-23 exhibitors at the Indiana-Illinois farm show during its entire history.

The show began at the Indiana Commerce Center. When the RCA Dome was built and the city grew in size, show attendance began to go down, Sherman said.

He moved it to the current location at the State Fairgrounds, and more farmers made their way to the show. The West Pavilion was a large, older building, perfect for tractors and other outdoor equipment.

Four years ago, the fairgrounds invested $4 million in a large-scale renovation of the West Pavilion, which is now finished. The new lighting, restrooms, heating system, flooring and front lobby have sparked some excitement in the show, Sherman said.

He expects 13,000-15,000 people to attend.

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, the show will close at 3 p.m. Admission, seminars and parking are all free. The fairgrounds is located at 1202 E. 38th St. in Indianapolis, and the West Pavilion is the first building to the right of the main entrance.

This farm news was published in the Dec. 6, 2006 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.