The 78th annual Marion County Fair is July 17-26, featuring concerts, grandstand entertainment, fair foods, 4-H and open class competitions and the Drew Exposition Midway, acknowledged as one of the greatest fair midways in the state, with almost 30 rides, from popular kiddie rides to classic thrill rides, including helicopter rides.

Tickets are $4 at the gate (children age 5 and under are free), and parking is free. Two-for-one advance sale tickets are available at area National City Bank branches through July 16. Additional discounts of $1 per person are available on four days when guests can bring an item to the fair to donate to one of three local not-for-profit organizations: July 17, Teachers’ Treasures; July 21, Indianapolis Animal Care & Control; and July 22-23, Gleaners Food Bank. Midway specials are available through the run of the fair as well.

The Marion County Fairgrounds is located at 7300 E. Troy Ave. For more information, call 317-353-2444. A complete day-by-day event agenda, plus registration forms and rules for a wide variety of competitions, are available by logging on to www.marioncountyfair.org.