Terry Clifford elected president of Indiana State Fair Board

Terry Clifford of Cloverdale stands with fellow Cloverdale resident Gayle Baugh shortly after she was crowned the 2021 Putnam County Fair Queen in July. Clifford now has his own reason to celebrate, as he was elected the 2022 president of the Indiana State Fair Board.

Courtesy photo

INDIANAPOLIS — A longtime fixture at the Indiana State Fair, Terry Clifford of Cloverdale will serve as the president of the State Fair Board in the coming year.

Clifford was elected to the post on Thursday, Oct. 21 during a joint meeting of the Indiana State Fair Board and the Indiana State Fair Commission.

Together with newly-appointed Chairman of the Commission Mitch Frazier of Westfield, Clifford is looking forward to what 2022 and beyond hold for the Indiana State Fair.

Clifford’s ascendancy to the position wasn’t a total shock.

“I kind of expected it, but in any election you don’t know for sure what’s going to happen until the votes are counted,” Clifford said. “I campaigned pretty hard for it and I won quite easily.”

Clifford is beginning the second year of his second four-year term on the State Fair Board. His longtime association with the swine barn at the state fair meant this was the year Clifford hoped to be elected president.

“I’ve actually been on staff at the Indiana State Fair in the swine barn since 1984,” Clifford said. “I’ve shown hogs at the Indiana State Fair for 50-plus years and we are starting the new hog barn.”

The $50 million project is currently in its beginning phases, with infrastructure installed and construction in the coming year.

“I’ve exhibited there for so many years that I thought I’d really like to be president when that is built and moved into,” Clifford said.

Clifford added that between himself, his wife, children and grandchildren, he believes the family has exhibited just about every project available at the State Fair.

Considered a leader in the livestock industry throughout the state and U.S., Clifford is known for always putting the youth first in both 4-H and FFA. He strives to level the playing field, having judged swine shows for 40 years.

During his time on staff and on the board at the Indiana State Fair, he has gained knowledge and developed connections that should prove invaluable in his new post.

Among other goals for the coming year is to set the entertainment lineup for the 2022 Indiana State Fair, set for July 29-Aug. 21, 2022. Clifford noted that last year’s Beach Boys show featuring John Stamos was the largest crowd ever at a free Indiana State Fair concert.

“We are working really hard on getting the entertainment lined up for the 2022 Indiana State Fair,” Clifford said. “It’s not all done yet, but we are working hard on it.”

Currently, staff members at the Indiana State Fairgrounds are prepared for the annual Christmas lights show.

“The Christmas lights show is all set up and ready to go,” Clifford said. “It’s bigger than ever. It covers the whole infield this time. It’s amazing how many lights there are. I’ve heard some people who, even though it takes a while to drive through it, they turn around and drive through it again.”

The Indiana State Fair Board is composed of 17 members — one appointed from each of the state’s seven districts, one elected from each district, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture director, the Purdue School of Agriculture associate dean/Purdue Extension director and a representative of the governor’s office.

Clifford is the elected member from District 6.

“I am honored to accept this new position and challenge to build on the 169-year tradition of the great Indiana State Fair,” he said.