INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The Indiana State Fair has kicked off its 17-day run with a menu that includes alcohol for the first time in nearly 70 years.
A new state law that took effect in July opened the door to beer and wine sales at the fair for the first time since 1946, the year before lawmakers banned alcohol sales at the event.
Beer and wine is only being sold, and can only be consumed, inside the fairgrounds' Grand Hall in an exhibition space featuring some of Indiana's craft beer and wine makers.
The first person to sample alcohol under the new law was 67-year-old Ed Swafford of Liberty, Indiana. He tried a Bavarian-style ale during the fair's opening day Friday.
Swafford says he wanted to be first for the novelty of it.
