INDIANAPOLIS —
Imagine sitting at a café table for two enjoying freshly made cannoli. A passionate operatic aria fills the room. Children’s laughter echoes over a game of bocce ball. Ah, Rome.
No, it’s “Ciao Italia,” the 2012 Indiana State Fair’s international exhibit coordinated by Jordan Borders, an Indiana State University student and Jasonville native.
Borders, a senior in international business at ISU, brings passion and enthusiasm to the project, especially because he studied for a semester in Italy last year.
“The state fair came to a job fair at ISU, and I found out about the special projects intern position. I applied, explaining I knew the ins and outs of Italy, the insights of the people, I knew about Italy’s regions — much like our country’s states. The fair hired me and my boss, Brian Blackford, gave me free rein to organize and decorate the exhibit and follow up on the contacts he gave me. I cannot explain how valuable the experience I’ve received is and how much I appreciate the opportunity.”
Borders hopes to live and work in China for a year after graduation.
Housed in the fairground’s International Pavilion, the Italian display is the third exhibit in recent years to showcase Indiana’s business, historical and educational connections with a specific country. Japan and Germany were highlighted in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
The fair, which began Aug. 3 and runs through Aug. 19, presents the exhibit in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corp., Indianapolis’ International Center and the Italian Heritage Society. Businesses, organizations and individuals are donating artifacts and historical items along with offering hands-on activities, food and entertainment.
Clinton’s Little Italy Festival in Vermillion County, which hosts thousands of visitors each Labor Day weekend, is sharing its history with the state fair program. “We were thrilled when Jordan contacted us about participating at the state fair,” Carolyn Gillio, festival president, said.
“There are only two authentic Italian gondolas in the U.S., and Clinton has one of them. It was purchased in 1967 in Venice, brought to Clinton, and was used on the Wabash River for several years during the festival. Last year, it was restored and is used for our grape queen and king — the RE and Regina — to ride in our parade. Now, it’s also being used at the fair’s Italy exhibit.”
Gillio’s parents emigrated from Italy, and in 1966, her father was the first vice president of the festival. “I credit my dad for giving me pride in my community and for my Italian heritage.”
Clinton is Indiana’s largest Italian-American community. “It’s that way because of the original coal mining industry near the town that drew Italians to work here,” Borders said. “Most of the residents left over the years, but the Italians stayed there.”
About 3 percent of Indiana’s population has Italian background, and many live in the Clinton area, Gillio said.
Several Italian businesses are also strongly connected to Indiana. Lake Eerie Products (LEP Special Fasteners) in Frankfort operates as a subsidiary of Fontana Luigi SpA, headquartered in Rome; Peg-Pérego, manufacturer of children’s carriages, strollers, car seats and high chairs, employs nearly 70 in Fort Wayne; Muncie Power produces mobile power components and systems for truck equipment in Muncie, and is part of the Interpump Group of S. Ilario D’Enza, Italy; and Brevini USA and Brevini Wind at Yorktown specialize in gearboxes, including for wind turbines. The Brevini Group was founded in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Borders’ time in Italy influenced his plans for the fair exhibit.
“Italy’s history is so rich and is also very influential in the U.S. Sixty percent of the world’s art treasures are found in Italy. Marionettes, opera, fashion and architecture are integral parts of Italy’s vitality, and I wanted to incorporate them into ‘Ciao Italia.’”
Graphics in the exhibit tell the history of Sicily, Venice, Rome, Florence and Milan, Borders said.
“We have a replica body cast of the Pompeii disaster. Jeff Hutson, a licensed gondolier, sings on our stage, in addition to professional opera performers. Every Indy racing car this year had a Dallara chassis, so we have a racing car on exhibit. We also have authentic, freshly made Italian food from Indy’s ‘Little Eataly.’ Visitors enjoy grabbing a bite and a drink and listening to our live entertainment.”
The biggest exhibit draw is the bocce ball game. Joe Giacoletti, originally from Clinton, built the bocce court that’s used at the fair exhibit. Volunteers demonstrate to visitors how to play and cheer on participants.
“In Indiana, cornhole is big, but bocce is a great addition and has room to grow,” Borders said with a laugh.
“When people come through the exhibit, I hear them say, ‘Remember when we visited there?’ Italy was influential for them as it was for me. I had never been to the state fair until I started my internship, but I want everyone who comes to the Italy exhibit to have a successful visit and leave with even more memories.”
Susan Hayhurst is a freelance writer from Terre Haute and is a member of the Indiana State Fair Commission.
News
Related Photos
-
Classy ride: The gondola used in Clinton’s Little Italy festival is on display in the Ciao Italia exhibit at the Indiana State Fair. Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Personal contact: Jordan Borders chats with Robin Vibbert of Spencer at the Ciao Italia exhibit in the Indiana State Fair on Friday afternoon. Borders is a Jasonville native and Indiana State University senior who coordinated the exhibit at the fair.
Discussion
A taste of Italia at Indiana’s State Fair
Valley student organizes display to feel like Rome
- News
-
-
Kindergartner diagnosed with MD treated to a day with the fire department
“He’ll just never forget this day,” Stacey Manley said, a little bit tearfully, as she watched her smiling 6-year-old son Carter sitting happily in the captain’s seat of Fire Engine 2.
-
Casey, Illinois aims for another world record
The town of Casey, Ill., may soon weave its way into the record books as the small town with the most world records. After setting records for the world’s largest wind chimes and the world’s largest golf tee, Casey is now looking to become home to the world’s largest knitting needles and crochet hook.
-
Rose-Hulman projects will promote growth, learning for people with physical challenges
Life changed dramatically for college engineering student Drew Christy on Feb. 22, 2008 when he was involved in an auto accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
-
‘500’ gas stations being sold to Speedway LLC
After several decades in business, the area’s familiar “500” gasoline stations and convenience stores will soon be missing from the roadsides of Vigo and Sullivan counties.
-
Terre Haute woman faces 14 charges
A Terre Haute woman faces 14 criminal counts after her arrest Friday on drug-related charges.
-
Two adults injured in ATV accident
Two adults were injured Sunday evening while riding an all-terrain vehicle near Lexington Farms Subdivision off Moyer Drive in southern Vigo County.
-
Vigo schools’ medical claims down 4 percent
The Vigo County School Corp.’s medical claims were about $13 million over the last 12 months, down 4 percent from the prior year, said Diane Titchenell, an Anthem account manager that works with the school district.
-
2013 Government Directory now available
The 2013 Government Directory is now available.
-
Life-Size Ping Pong: Valley pickleball tourney draws large crowd to Brittlebank Park
It’s been described as “ping pong on steroids.”
Some people call it “life-size ping pong where you stand on the table.” -
Boat trip aims to raise awareness about Lewy Body Dementia
In 2013, the Year of the River, it makes sense to link a grand adventure on the Wabash River with a good cause.
-
Legislature had little taste for alcohol bills
When it comes to alcohol, the 2013 legislative session may be marked more by what it didn’t do to boost booze sales than what it did.
-
STATE OF THE STATEHOUSE: Is it regulation that doesn’t make sense or evening the playing field?
I’m not much of a drinker, so I haven’t spent much time thinking about how Indiana’s alcohol laws personally impact me, but that changed last fall when my daughter got married.
-
For Piper: Annual ‘Rush the Punter’ event dedicated to Dixie Bee student who died Wednesday after a short illness
Steve Weatherford’s “Rush the Punter” fundraiser at Fairbanks Park on Saturday was dedicated to a little girl who lost her life unexpectedly to pneumonia.
-
Vigo schools prepare to tighten belts
State funding for the Vigo County School Corp. will remain “pretty flat” for the next two years, said Donna Wilson, chief financial officer.
-
Veterans take to the trees
Cristal Bednar took photos of her husband, Justin, as he laboriously climbed his way up a “Dangle-Duo” to get to a zipline at Indiana State University’s Sycamore Outdoor Center.
-
Property owner seeks halt to Hulman Lake dam project
A Terre Haute property owner is seeking an injunction that would at least temporarily halt the city’s work on the Hulman Lake dam project.
-
Tornado veterans balance preparedness, practicality
Few things in nature are less predictable than a tornado. They can form quickly. They strike weirdly, leveling one building while leaving its neighbor untouched. They can fling a car a half-mile and turn a piece of lumber into a wall-piercing missile.
-
ISU unveils interactive Bayh Family Legacy Wall at school
A who’s who of Indiana Democrats paid tribute to Evan Bayh and several generations of the Bayh family Friday during a dedication of a new interactive display at Indiana State University.
-
Can you smell me now?
A contraband cell phone has been discovered by the Vigo County Jail’s youngest and most unique officer.
-
GIVING BACK: Steve Weatherford buys shoes for kids day before charity run
Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford, punter for the 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, showed once again his generosity Friday by donating new athletic shoes to more than two dozen Vigo County kids.
-
N.Y. Giants honor Weatherford as ‘Man of the Year’
Dan Tanoos, superintendent of Vigo County schools, remembers the first time he saw Steve Weatherford as a freshman at Terre Haute North Vigo High School.
-
Sunday recital at The Woods
A recital featuring songs from well-known composers is at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
-
Police investigating rash of car window shootings
Terre Haute Police are investigating a rash of shootings that have shattered car windows throughout the city.
-
City hospitals get passing grades for patient safety
Two Terre Haute hospitals have been ranked for patient safety by an independent organization that assesses safety, quality and affordability of healthcare for Americans.
-
Three from Operation Turn and Burn sentenced in federal court
Three co-conspirators in a Wabash Valley methamphetamine trafficking ring were sentenced this week to several years in federal prison.
-
Skateboarders, BMX bike riders working to improve area of city park they use
The sound of small wheels rolling across smooth concrete fills the air, accented by the clacking noise of a wooden skateboard coming to an instant stop on a metal edge before rolling on again.
-
Indiana State to host 2014 MVC baseball tourney
Build it… and they will come. The Missouri Valley Conference and Indiana State University made that famous line from the movie “Fields Of Dreams” reality Thursday.
-
Overlay recommended for 812 area code
The state agency that represents Hoosier utility customers is calling for a ten-digit solution to southern Indiana’s vanishing supply of 812 area code telephone numbers.
-
Elementary school saddened by student’s death
A 9-year-old Dixie Bee Elementary student died unexpectedly Wednesday evening as the result of pneumonia, said Vigo County Coroner Susan Amos on Thursday.
-
Vermillion CSX crossings undergoing maintenance
CSX maintenance crews are working on railroad crossings between Dana and Chrisman, Ill. this week and next, a CSX official said Thursday.
- More News Headlines
-
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Active Search for Utah Missing Mom Ends
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Aussie Zoo Shows Off White Rhino Calf
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
MLB Hoping for Large Replay Expansion in 2014
Raw: Suspects Butt Dial 911, Lead to Arrest
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Horse Saved From Slaughter, Goes on to Win Big
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
America's Cup Officials Say Race Will Continue
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
RAW: Xbox introduces Xbox One
Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir
Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you
Reporter Cries Over Devastation
Sneak Peek: 'Modern Family' Says Good Bye
Trailer: 'The Last Stand' Available on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download
IWitness Look at Moore, OK Tornado
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school
Robert Pattinson Moves Out
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
Oklahoma tornado survivor: "Everything is gone"
Khloe Lashes Out at Kim Kardashian's Critics
Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window
RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song
Justin Bieber Gets Booed
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos
Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction
