Indiana State Fair To Commemorate Last Year's Stage Collapse With Moment Of Silence

August is a big month for state fairs across the country, but in Indiana, the 2012 State Fair comes with a bit of a sting. Las year's accident, resulting in the deaths of seven people, has not been forgotten and today, the fair will commemorate the event with a few minutes of silence on the fairgrounds. From 8:46 to 8:50 p.m. ET, all activities on the grounds will be completely shut down to give Indiana residents a moment to remember the victims.

On August 13, 2011, during some Indiana State Fair proceedings, many residents ignored bad weather warnings, hoping to stick around to watch the band on the bill for the evening, the popular country group, Sugarland. Before the band could even take the stage, high winds caused the makeshift platform and equipment to begin shaking before collapsing into the crowd. Seven lives were taken and dozens and dozens of other patrons were injured.

Sugarland later returned to Indiana to play a free concert and help raise money for the victims, but for many, the act was only a start to the healing process. According to ABC News, Indiana state legislatures have also put temporary inspection criteria into effect for events requiring makeshift stages, in the hopes more permanent legislation can be passed. The real shout out to the victims, however, is the State Fair’s moment of silence, a memorable tribute to an event that will hopefully never occur again.