Stop and smell the roses — err, peonies — because the Indiana Peony Festival kicks off tomorrow in Noblesville. Here’s everything you need to know about this fantastic floral weekend.
🌸 Why the peony?
Peonies became the state flower in 1957, when Gov. Harold Handley signed a bill in honor of Rep. Laurence D. Baker and his wife, who started their peony business in 1925 + planted peonies on the Statehouse lawn.
Fast forward — Festival CEO + Noblesville resident Kelly McVey discovered her love for the peony and the idea to host the festival at Seminary Park, where she had planted peonies, bloomed from there. Last year’s festival drew more than 25,000 visitors.
The Indiana Peony Festival is a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire Hoosiers to celebrate the state flower, enhance Noblesville through peony beautification projects, and promote Hamilton County as a destination during the month of May.
🌸 Schedule of events
Peonies in the Park | Fri., May 17 from 6-9 p.m. | $150
Enjoy an adults-only night in the beautifully decorated Seminary Park with some of Indianapolis’ most talented chefs, including Samir Mohammad (9th Street Bistro), Tyler Shortt (Tinker Street), Michael Conley (KanKan), Youssef Boudarine (J’adore/Bluebeard), and Ross Katz (RHB Resources). Guests are encouraged to dress in their favorite spring dress, dapper sport coat, or peony-inspired festive fit.
Brunch and Blooms | Sat., May 18 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Cost of purchase
Spend your whole day in downtown Noblesville flitting between roughly 30 walkable merchant locations that will be offering peony-inspired food, drinks, products, promotions, and live music. You can even grab a commemorative Brunch & Blooms map at the Indiana Peony Festival tent on the courthouse lawn and get it stamped at 15 or more locations for a chance to win special peony prizes.
Indiana Peony Festival | Sat., May 18 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Cost of purchase
Meet in Seminary Park for the fourth annual festival with a bouquet-off, 70+ artisans and vendors, horticulture classes, kids’ activities, food and spirit trucks, and blooming photo opps galore.
Think you have a green thumb? Enter the peony contest on Saturday by bringing your homegrown peonies to the gazebo before 12:30 p.m. It’s free to participate and winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m.
