Friday, May 20, 2011

Summer Festival Smackdown

It's very nearly my favorite time of the year:
Summer Festival Season!
Every weekend in June is already triple booked!

This is by NO means an exhaustive list, and it's pretty tailored to my specifications (largely kid-friendly, sadly devoid of the summer concerts because their price tags tend to be a little on the uneconomical side...)


It's just a quick round up of what we've found and
what the kids demanded we put on the calendar for next month. Hope to see some of you out there...




Groovin' in the Garden
Where: Easley Winery
When: Tuesdays 5-7 and Saturdays 2-5
ProTip: Last summer they sold sparkling grape juice & goldfish crackers for the Minis...so they could sit & "taste" just like the big kids while rocking out to the live music. Band schedule can be found on their website.

Vintage Indiana
Where: Military Park
When: June 4, 2011 ~ 11a - 7p
Tix: $22 in advance, $25 at the gate, $10 DD tickets, ages 6 -20 $5, agest 6 & under - free.
ProTip: Your ticket gets in onto the grounds but if you're smuggling food & drink in, the best way to do it is in the under-basket of a stroller. But you didn't hear that from me! Ticket also gets you one souveneir tasting glass. I have quite the collection...


Kite Making Workshop for Kids
Where: Downtown Central Library (imcpl)
When: June 4, 2011 ~ 2pm
Tix: FREE but you'll need to call & register prior to the event
Details


Classical Concerts at Central
Where: Downtown Central Library (imcpl)
When: June 5, 2011 ~ 2pm
Tix: FREE
Details


Science Odyssey: 2011 Summer Reading Program
Where:
Downtown Central Library (imcpl)
When: June 6 - August 1
Tix: FREE
ProTip: You can let your kids squander their hard-earned points on bouncey balls & silly bandz OR talk them into saving them up for things like Gift Certificates and Indpls. Indians Tickets for a summer game. I think we all know what I'LL be hoping for - baseball for everyone!


Summer Showtimes: Central Library
Where: Downtown Central Library (imcpl)
When: See their websites for dates/times. Showtimes are usually mid-week @ 1:30 depending on what branch you head to...
ProTip: There's no better FREE way to beat the heat than watching a free movie & munching on some popcorn at your local library
Details


Strawberry Festival
Where: Monument Circle
When: June 9, 2011 ~ 9a - 6p
Tix: $6
ProTip: The lunch crowd can be crazy, but if you can manage to find a short line, there is an undeniable perfection in lounging on the steps of the Monument, watching the workday world wait in line for a taste of Summer.
Details



Italian Street Festival
Where: Holy Rosary Catholic Church
When: June 10th & 11th 5 - 11p
Tix: FREE
ProTip: Try the fried ravioli, the lasagna, the stuffed shells, the gelato, the canollis and wash it down with an ice cold Peroni or three...or four... Come early for the processional into the 4:30 mass. Stop by & see Sr. Rita in the back ticket both for your Kojak, and twirl the night away up front by the bandshell. Come find me, I'll be the one spinning the girls dizzy and dancing, beer in hand, to 'Amore'. This is my absolute, all-time-favorite, not to be missed summer festival.
Details


Zoobilation
Where: Indianapolis Zoo
When: June 10th 5:30p - midnight
Tix: $200members, $225 non-members.
ProTip: I've never been to this one, but I have friends that rave about it & plan their June calendars around it. If you have the cash, it's not to be missed!
Details


Indpendent Music & Arts Festival
Where: Harrison Center for the Arts
When: June 1th, noon - 8p
Tix: FREE
Details


Let's Meet PBS Kids in the Park
Where:
Military Park
When: June 11th, 10a - 4p
Tix: FREE
ProTip: This + Ital.Fest always makes for a whirlwind weekend. Pair that with Mr. Man's birthday Friday and by the time Sunday afternoon rolls around we're ALL ready for a nap. But it's another one of those that we haven't missed for years, and that all three Munchkins look forward to determinedly. Where you'll find us: Up front by the stage or hiding under a shady tree going through our freebies and applying our looted tattoos.
Details


Talbott Street Art Fair
Where:
Talbott Street (duh)
When:  June 11th & 12th, 10a-5p
Tix: FREE
ProTip: Parking is always INSANE this weekend. Best advice is to park at LEAST three blocks in any direction and walk. Seriously.
Details


Wicket World of Croquet - feat. Alice in Wonderland theme
Where: Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
When: June 11th, 8:30a - 2p
Tix: $110 for a team of 2
ProTip: I'm thinking a drive by is DEFINITELY in order...if not a walk by with camera at the ready. This has real potential if exploited to its fullest by those in costume. Pleasegod let them be carrying around flamingo mallots...
Details


Scavenge the Ave.
Presented by Nuvo
Where:
The Athenaeum Theatre
When: June 15th 6 - 9p
Tix: $10 pre-registration, $12 day of the event
ProTip: What it is: a six-block scavenger hunt down Mass Ave to promote awareness of adult literacy. Teams of one, two, three or four participants. Awesome prizes await.


Marsh Cookout on the Circle
Where:
Monument Circle
When: June 16th, 11a - 1:30p
Tix: $6 in advance, $7 day of the event
ProTip: What it is: the 20th annual fundraising event for the Crossroads of America/BoyScouts. Where you'll find me: Probably sitting at the base of the Monument with Nicki St.John like every year!
Details


Summer Night Series
Where: The Indianapolis Museum of Art
When: Fridays, June3 - Aug. 26
Tix: $10 Gen.Public, $5 Museum Members; Kids 6 & under - FREE
ProTip:  This series has gotten increasingly kid-friendly the past few years. There are still a slew of adult films where you can pack & picnic & smuggle a bottle of wine in, but there are also films like The Wiz and The Sandlot that I'll be dragging the Munchkins to for sure! Where you'll find me: 2nd terrace. Dead center. It's my spot. Better recognize.
Details


El Dia De La Familia Festibal
Where:
Indiana State Fairgrounds
When: June 18th, noon - 11p
Tix: FREE
ProTip: This festival quickly outgrew its humble beginnings downtown in University Park. To my recollection there was always great food, great music, LOTS of dancing
Details


Family Fun Day Experience
Where: White River State Park
When: June 18th, noon - 4p
Tix: FREE
ProTip: This is the first year this fest has been moved off The Canal and to the much larger White River facility. By all accounts it's going to be much bigger and much better than past years. We've always come away with lots of goodies and coupons. I highly recommend.
Details


Concerts on the Canal
Where: Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center
When: Thursday nights May 26 - Aug 11, 6pm
Tix: $45 per table of 8, $35 per table of 4, $10 single seats
ProTip: Where you'll find me: across the canal on the hill (i.e. the FREE seats) with a picnic blanket and a basket of snacks.
Details


Brew-Ha-Ha
Where:
Phoenix Theatre
When: June 25th, 3 - 7p
Tix: $30 at the door (cash only!!!), $25 in advance, $10 DDs
ProTip: another not-to-be missed event of the summer. Craft beers + local vendors + live music.
Details


Indian Market
Where: Military Park
When: June 25 & 26th, 10a - 5p
Tix: $8 in advance, $10 gate, 17 & under - FREE
Details
Concernts


N.I.T.E Ride
Where: IUPUI Carroll Stadium
When: June 25th 11p; Registration begins 4p
Tix: $29
ProTip: Now in its 18th year, this annual Ride is held to promote biking for health, fun and commuting. I always thought this one would be cool, but haven't yet attempted it myself.
Details


The Monkees Reunion

Where: Old National Centre (The Murat)
When: 7:30p
Tix: $65 - $102
ProTip: So worth it. Seriously.
Details


Rock and Roll BBQ
Where: Victory Field
When: July 1 - 3, 11a - 11p
Tix: FREE before 6p; After 6p - $8 adults, $4 kids ages 7-12.
ProTip: Do I know what this is? No. Am I going to go? You Betcha. Why? Well, firstly, it's FREE and secondly it's the Innaugural event, and thirdly it seems to combine two of my favorite things. That's enough for me!
Details


NGAI 12th Annual Car Show
Where:
Veteran's Memorial Plaza
When: July 2nd, 7a - 4p
Tix: FREE
Details



Canal Family Fest
Where:
The Canal/Eiteljorg Museum
When: July 4th, 4:30 - 9p
Tix: FREE


Pokemon U.S. National Championship
Where: Indiana Convention Center
When: July 8 - 10
Tix: Admission Prices vary
ProTip: I'm hoping for good people-watching mostly!


IndyWine Trail BBQ Event
Where: Easley Winery
When: July 16 & 17th, noon - 6p
Tix: $25 in advance, $30 day of
Details


Indiana State Fair
Where: Indiana State Fairgrounds
When: August 5th - 21st
Tix:
ProTip: Where you'll find me: Either just outside the Krispy Kreme Burger stand with Aimee Achenbach laughing while I lament how full I am, or holding a pineapple whip while in line to ride the Elephant. Because I  REALLY want to do it this year!

2 comments:

  1. You will need to leave some time available for some photo-type activities. Looks like we should figure that out before your calendar closes.

    ReplyDelete

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