The Indiana State Fair today unveiled the 2021 list of all scheduled performers who will appear on the Indiana State Fair Free Stage July 30 through August 22 (Fair is closed Mondays and Tuesdays). All shows at the Indiana State Fair Free Stage are free with paid fair admission and seating is first-come, first-served.

The 2021 Indiana State Fair Free Stage lineup includes:

All artists, dates and times are subject to change without notice

• State Fair Yacht Rock Night with Atlanta Rhythm Section, Firefall & Orleans presented by Yacht Rock Radio – Friday, July 30
• John Waite and Kyle Cook of Matchbox Twenty, presented by IndianaRockHistory.com – Saturday, July 31
• Mary Mary, presented by WTLC FM – Sunday, August 1
• Josh Turner – Wednesday, August 4
• Run Forrest Run, Ultimate 90s Party Band – Thursday, August 5
• Noah Cyrus – Friday, August 6
• Blanco Brown – Saturday, August 7
• Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, presented by WTLC FM – Sunday, August 8
• for KING & COUNTRY – Wednesday, August 11
• TBA – Thursday, August 12
• Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe – Friday, August 13
• Home Free – Saturday, August 14
• Casting Crowns – Sunday, August 15
• Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Association, Classics IV, The Vogues, The Cowsills – Wednesday, August 18
• Barracuda – America’s Heart Tribute – Thursday, August 19
• The Beach Boys – Friday, August 20
• Latino-Fest at the Indiana State Fair, presented by Radio Latina – featuring AK7, Banda Blanca and La sonora Dinamita de Colombia – Saturday, August 21
• Gospel Music Festival with headliner Hezekiah Walker, presented by WTLC AM & FM – Sunday, August 22

The 2021 Indiana State Fair is scheduled to open on Friday, July 30 and runs through August 22, when you can enjoy The Greatest 18 Days of Summer at this iconic Hoosier tradition. The Fair is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The safety of our guests, staff, and community is our number one priority. Please follow CDC guidelines regarding wearing masks. There are no capacity restrictions for Free Stage concerts and no reserved seating.

For more information, please visit www.indianastatefair.com or follow the Indiana State Fair on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The 2021 Indiana State Fair theme is Celebrating the Hoosier Spirit.

The Indiana State Police is now accepting applications for the 82nd Recruit Academy.  Individuals who are interested in beginning a rewarding career as an Indiana State Trooper must visit our website at https://www.in.gov/isp/2368.htm and follow the link to the application. Applicants will first need to create a user account before being able to apply for the Trooper Trainee job posting for the Indiana State Police 82^nd Selection Process. 

The website link provides a detailed synopsis of the application process as well as information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police.  Applications must be submitted electronically by 8:00 AM (EST) on Sunday, August 22, 2021. 

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted for the 82^nd Recruit Academy.

Basic Eligibility Requirements and consideration factors for an Indiana State Trooper:

1. Must be a United States citizen.
2. Must be at least 21 and less than 40 years of age when appointed as a police employee. (Appointment date is June 16, 2022)
3. Must meet a minimum vision standard (corrected or uncorrected) of 20/50 acuity in each eye and 20/50 distant binocular acuity in both eyes.
4. Must possess a valid driver’s license to operate an automobile.
5. Must be willing, if appointed, to reside and serve anywhere within the State of Indiana as designated by the Superintendent.
6. Must be a high school graduate as evidenced by a diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).                                                                                

The starting salary for an Indiana State Police Department Recruit is $1,615.39 bi-weekly during the academy training.  At the completion of academy training, the starting salary is $48,000.00 a year.  Recruits of the 82nd Recruit Academy are offered an excellent health care plan including medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy coverage for both current and retired employees and their dependents.  The Indiana State Police pension program provides a lifetime pension after 25 years of service.  Additionally, the Indiana State Police Department provides comprehensive disability coverage and a life insurance program.  Student loan forgiveness programs are being offered at this time through the following:  https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

Current Law Enforcement Officers:

Current Law Enforcement Officers having a minimum of three continuous years of merit full time law enforcement service as of November 23, 2021, if they choose, will be assigned to the District where they currently reside.

Current Out of State Law Enforcement Officers having a minimum of three continuous years of merit full time law enforcement service as of November 23, 2021, if they choose, may be afforded their District of choice, if their home state certification is determined equivalent to the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board standards. 

Physical Ability Test (PAT):

Applicants are required to pass the ILEA Exit Standards listed below to proceed in the selection process.

Physical Ability Testing Dates:

Applicants are afforded the opportunity to attend additional PAT dates to improve current scores or achieve a passing score.  Additional information regarding the PAT can be found online at https://www.in.gov/isp/2880.htm.

Interested applicants can obtain additional information about a career as an Indiana State Trooper by visiting https://www.in.gov/isp/3041.htm to find the recruiter assigned to your area.

After having to cancel two straight Dogwood Festivals because of concerns over the coronavirus, Orleans needed a chance to celebrate.

After the governor announced the easing of COVID restrictions in early April, there wasn’t enough time for organizers to salvage this year’s Dogwood Festival, but they set their sights on a Homecoming event centered around the Fourth of July.

The Orleans Area Chamber of Commerce along with its community partner the Orleans American Legion Post took the lead, and the Orleans Homecoming Celebration was a go.

Kick-Off Events will start this Saturday, July 3 with the Orange County HomeGrown Farmers Market on the west side of the square from 8 a.m. until noon.

A Red, White, and Blue Classic Car Show around the square will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m and a special FREE Concert at noon by Johnathan Len & The Double Edge Band.

According to Orleans Town Clerk Robert Henderson, there will also be a BBQ cookoff. 

The Chamber of Commerce will have its Silent Auction in the Unity Hall located directly behind the Orleans Christian Church from June 30 to July 3.

The American Legion Post is bringing in Brady Amusements for a carnival to be set up around the square July 6-9. 

The chamber is asking town residents to decorate their properties in appropriate patriotic colors for the event.

Henderson said residents are encouraged to use flags, bunting, and banners, especially along Maple Street (State Road 37).

“I hope the event will be somewhat reminiscent of days past when the annual Orleans American Legion Homecoming was held every summer downtown Orleans,” said Henderson, who is also the Executive Director of the Chamber.

“This was a beloved community tradition for many years. We want this to be a real old-fashioned patriotic-type event for the community as a whole,” he said. 

“And think too that after the many months of dealing with the Pandemic, we are all more than ready to come together and celebrate.”

Silent auction items will be on display daily at the Orleans Christian Church’s Unity Hall beginning June 30 and continuing through noon on July 3.

A large array of unique and interesting items has been donated and will be available for bidding this year. Hours for the special community event will be from 5-8 p.m. June 30 through July 2 and 9 a.m. to noon on July 3, when the auction is officially closed.

Popular musician Jonathan Len and The Double Edge Band will be performing on Bicentennial Stage in historic Congress Square beginning at noon and continuing until 2 p.m.  

Attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs as seating in the park is limited.

Len has performed numerous times as part of the Orleans Summer Concert in the Park Series and always a crowd-pleaser.  

Also appearing this year will be the Double Edge Band. This five-piece band is based in Memphis, Tennessee. The members have a long history of working in the music industry.

Registration for the Car Show will be from 10 a.m. to noon with a $15 entry fee for the first category and $5 for each additional category.

Vehicles will be judged beginning at noon with the announcement of the winners at 3 p.m.

For more information on the car show, individuals should contact Mike Harkness at 812-653-1648.

Henderson said three teams have registered for the BBQ Cook-Off Contest. The teams will be cooking both ribs and chicken. The BBQ rigs are expected to roll in around 5 a.m. on July 3 to begin set up and prep work.

The Orleans Firemen will be doing a “Burger Burn” Saturday and will also have a Dunk Tank and activities for the children set up in the park.

The Orleans American Legion is teaming up with Brady Amusements for a carnival to be set up around the historic town square July 6-9. There will be games, rides, concessions, and more starting at 5 p.m. each day.

Advance bracelets for July 6-8 are still on sale. Bracelets are $25 and can be used any or all of the three days.

Bracelets are available at Orleans Marathon, Mid-Southern Savings Bank, Hucks, and Dollar General Store. 

Advance sales will end at 3 p.m. on July 6.