Ball State University will have a much larger presence than in past years at the 150th Indiana State Fair Aug. 9-20.

The university is once again sponsoring the Ball State Backyard, in association with the Landscape Architecture Department. This year, however, the university also will sponsor its own building.

"Because Marsh is no longer a sponsor of the fair, we have negotiated that the building where the backyard is located be named the Ball State Ag Hort Building, complete with a large banner over the entrance," said Al Rent, director of university marketing. "We are very excited about this terrific exposure and our continuing association with this long-time Hoosier tradition."

The university will also host a special day for Ball State faculty, staff, alumni and friends with events taking place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 15. In a series of 10 tents on Expo Hall Street in front of the Clarion Home and Family Arts Building, the university will share exhibits on academics, athletics, art, music and much more.

From noon to 5 p.m. at the Ball State Backyard, a special exhibit will give fairgoers a chance to make their TV debut. "So You Want to Be on Television," will be a live, interactive exhibit that will allow guests to sit in a mock TV studio; read news, sports or weather; and receive a VHS tape of their performance. This exhibit is being coordinated by Newslink Indiana, the telecommunications department and the teleplex.

At 6:30 p.m., the Pride of Mid-America, Ball State's marching band, will lead the fair's daily parade.

Landscape architecture students from the College of Architecture and Planning spent two months building the Ball State Backyard, which will be open every day and feature daily entertainment. The venue, which debuted at the 2004 State Fair, was designed by professors, and alumni volunteers and businesses contributed time and materials to the project.

"Seeing the university get more and more involved and watching the wonderful space come to fruition each year has been an enjoyable experience," said Malcolm Cairns, backyard coordinator. "It's a great venue to showcase Ball State and the amazing opportunities available for our students."

(Note to editors: For more information, contact Rent at (765) 285-9116 or arent@bsu.edu or Cairns at (765) 285-1971 or mcairns@bsu.edu.)