Celebrating Tradition

    It’s official: the greatest fifteen days of summer are quickly approaching! Whether you're used to exhibiting livestock, riding rides, or visiting booths and exhibits, there is something for everyone at the GREAT Indiana State Fair. For my family, the state fair has established a long-lasting tradition over the course of three generations: my family has always shown pigs at the state fair. Since 1852, the Indiana State Fair has been providing families with their own personal traditions. One of my favorite traditions when visiting the state fair as a child was playing putt-putt in the FFA Pavilion with my brothers (for the record, I always won). While always stuck on the south side of the track in the swine barn, I would beg my parents each and every day to take me over to the FFA Pavilion to play a round of putt-putt. Most importantly, however, I always looked up to the members serving in the pavilion. I couldn’t wait until it was my turn to work in the pavilion as an FFA member myself. 

    This year, I have the unique opportunity to serve in the FFA Pavilion in a way I never deemed possible: working in it as an Indiana FFA State Officer. This experience will provide me with the opportunity to interact with the public and advocate to them on behalf of agriculture, agricultural education, and FFA. However, this opportunity isn’t just exclusive to me. Each Indiana FFA member has the ability to serve in the FFA Pavilion at the State Fair!

    Whether you have been to the Indiana State Fair and experienced the FFA Pavilion or not, you and your chapter are encouraged to sign up for your experience day at the state fair. If you apply, you are sure to learn something new, establish long-lasting friendships, and advocate for agriculture to the public while also having the opportunity to establish your own tradition.

    The Indiana State Fair and FFA Pavilion are full of tradition and YOU have the ability to be part of its enduring legacy. I have the chance to add a different perspective to my state fair traditions and I hope that countless Indiana FFA members will be a part of them. I encourage each of you to sign up today to afford yourself this educational experience and embrace a legacy that goes back for generations!

Celebrating tradition,

Cale Williams

Indiana FFA State Southern Region Vice President