It’s fall, y’all

Fall into autumn with these festivals around central Indiana

Don’t worry, the Headless Horseman Festival isn’t too spooky and is appropriate for all ages. | Photo by Conner Prairie

Don’t sweat the fall stuff. Whether you love sipping on PSLs, getting lost in corn mazes, or shopping ‘til the temps drop, these festivals are sure to make you fall in love with autumn.

Beech Grove Fall Festival | Wednesday, Sept. 13-Saturday, Sept. 16 | Various times | 600 Main St., Beech Grove | This year’s theme, “History of the Grove,” promises to give visitors a little insight into the town’s history as they enjoy rides, games, music, and even a Saturday parade.

Beasley’s Orchard Fall Festival | Saturday, Sept. 16-Tuesday, Oct. 31 | Various times | 2304 E. Main St., Danville | This multi-week festival has unique themes and offerings for each weekend, such as Dogs Days at the Maze and Halloweekend, with activities including apple cannons, corn mazes, and a straw mountain available every day.

Harvest Nights | Every Tuesday-Sunday from Thursday, Sept. 28-Tuesday, Oct. 31 | Various times | The Garden at Newfields | Wander through thousands of glowing jack-o-lanterns and the spookily decorated Lilly House as you sip on hot drinks or munch on fall-flavored treats.

Franklin Fall Vintage Fest | Saturday, Oct. 7 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Downtown Franklin | Celebrate all things fall with 100+ antique dealers, live music, and food trucks. While you’re there, don’t miss the neighboring Ethos Celebration of the Arts on the same day.

Headless Horseman Festival | Every Thurs.-Sun from Thurs., Oct. 5-Sun., Oct. 29 | Various times | Conner Prairie | Take the iconic haunted hayride to encounter the headless horseman, then decompress with spooky shows and storytelling, festive rides and games, and the monster museum.

INDY_Fishers Agripark Fall Festival_SEP2022 — There’s plenty of space for kids to run around and play at Frishers Agripark.

Fishers Agripark Fall Festival | Tuesday, Oct. 10-Saturday, Oct. 14 | 4-7 p.m. | 11171 Florida Rd., Fishers | Register before arriving to explore the scarecrow trail and corn maze and enjoy fall activities like pumpkin carving, carnival games, crafts, and campfires with s’mores.

Covered Bridge Festival | Friday, Oct. 13-Sunday, Oct. 22 | Various times | Parke County | Visit Indiana’s largest fall festival to discover the county’s 31 historic covered bridges + authentic arts and crafts, food, and beautiful fall foliage.

INDY_Parke County Covered Bridge Festival_SEP2022 — Parke County is known as the covered bridge capital of the world.

Locally Made: Indy’s Fall Fest | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 12-5 p.m. | Indianapolis Art Center, 820 E. 67th St. | ARTSPARK will come alive in this free event featuring interactive activities, food for purchase, artwork, wares, and artisanal goods from 25 local and regional artists.

Autumntidings Fall Fest | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 1-6 p.m. | The Cradle at Monon 30, 1118 E. 30th St. | Celebrate the season with this second annual festival hosted by Ash & Elm Cider Co., featuring several other Indiana-based cideries, breweries, and distilleries.

77th Annual Historic Irvington Halloween Festival | Saturday, Oct. 21-Saturday, Oct. 28 | Various times | Irvington neighborhood | Visit this Halloween-loving town for several events like the Masquerade Ball, Spooky Organ Concert, Zombie Bike Ride, Vampire Run, and costume contests.

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Today

Pumpkin Spice Pottery Painting Class | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 6-8 p.m. | uPaint Pottery Studio, Multiple locations | $29 | Grab a friend and join this fun instructor-led class to paint a plate that will jazz up your fall decor. 🖌️

Friday

Indy Night Market | Fri., Sept. 23-Sat., Sept. 24 | 4-10 p.m. | Indianapolis City Market | Cost of purchase | Check out this food, arts + culture festival that brings to life Indy’s food scene, including farmers, restaurants, chefs, and food entrepreneurs in the heart of downtown. 🌃
Pints and Paddles | Fri., Sept. 23 | 5-8 p.m. | Stephens Park, 605 Stephen Dr., Brownsburg | Free | Enjoy time on the courts while socializing with fellow pickleball lovers. 🏓

Saturday

26th Annual Indy Irish Fest | Sat., Sept. 24 | 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. | Garfield Park | $5+ | Join this family-friendly celebration showcasing music, dance, arts, culture, language, and history. ☘️

Sunday

Indianapolis Colts vs. Kansas City Chiefs | Sun., Sept. 25 | 1 p.m. | Lucas Oil Stadium | $62+ | Cheer on the Colts during the team’s first home game of the season. 🏈

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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100+ MORE EVENTS

Your guide to surviving Indianapolis allergy season

A collection of three bottles of allergy medications sitting in a field of ragweed and grass.

This 3-minute online allergy quiz was designed by allergists to give you the best recommendation for treating your unique allergy symptoms. | Photo provided by Picnic

At INDYtoday, we love everything about fall. Almost everything — cozy sweaters are great, but we could do without the inevitable spike in allergies. (And no, it’s not just you — allergies are much worse these days.)

But you don’t have to suffer in sneezy, itchy silence. Picnic is a one-stop shop for allergy treatment, with individually customized plans that combine over-the-counter and prescription med solutions so you can live your best Indianapolis life unbothered.

Bonus: INDYtoday readers get 20% off.*

BANISH ALLERGIES FROM YOUR LIFE

Weather

67º | Partly cloudy | 0% chance of rain

Number

$7 million. That’s about how much money it’ll cost to repair the crumbling steps leading to the Soldiers & Sailors Monument on the Circle. The project is expected to take just under two years to complete + the museum inside of the memorial is closed until at least 2024. 🚧 (WISH)

Opening

A new Total Wine & More location is opening in Carmel on Wed., Sept. 28 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that will include local music, beer, and wine tastings. The liquor store has one other location in Indy + recently opened up a location in Greenwood. 🍷 (Indianapolis Monthly)
Nearly three years after Carmel Clay Library’s main location closed for renovations, it’s planning a grand reopening of the space on Sat., Oct 1. The $40 million revamp is bringing more community gathering space, a Java House coffee shop, digital media lab, expanded teen area, and a new parking garage with a skybridge. 📚 (IndyStar)

Closed

Have you seen the new mural outside of Baby’s? It’s part of the burger + shake joint’s remodel. The restaurant located at 2147 N. Talbott St. is temporarily closed for about the next two weeks. Keep an eye on its social media for the reopening date. 🍔

Edu

Butler University received a $908,000 grant, which it plans to use to create Butler BOOST — a youth camp program to get kids ready for college and their futures. So far, three different camps have been announced + Butler expects it will take about three years to get the camps up and running. 🎒(WISH)

Sports

The Indianapolis-based Horizon League announced it will continue playing men’s + women’s basketball championships at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum through 2026. The Horizon League is an 11-school collegiate athletic conference in NCAA Division I that includes IUPUI and Purdue University. 🏀 (IBJ)

Try This

Kick off spooky season with an Addams Family–themed pop-up inside Scarlet Lane Brewing Company at 4601 N. College Ave. Expect to have a bone-chilling time while snacking on Fester’s Fingertraps stuffed jalapeños, Morticia’s Garden of Torment mixed greens, or We Dance the Mamushka beer-marinated chicken. 💀 (Indianapolis Monthly)

Today Is

The first official day of autumn. Say hello to the new season with our fall drinks guide, list of U-pick farms, and five drive-worthy fall activities. 🎃

Biz

Can we take you behind the scenes? This little blurb is called a Text Ad, and it’s one of the many ways that brands local to Indianapolis (and beyond) can reach you through advertising in INDYtoday. Learn more about how advertising (which helps keep this newsletter free to you) works here.

Trending

Amazon’s “Thursday Night Football” broke records for new Prime memberships last week, with more sign-ups over a three hour period to view the Chiefs-Chargers game than on Prime Day, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday. Tonight’s game? Steelers vs. Browns. Join the party with a 30-day free Prime Video trial. 🏈 (CNBC)*

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Creepin’ it real ☠️

Viral skeleton spotted in Indianapolis, IN

It’s not even October yet and skeletons are already creeping around Indianapolis. | Photo by u/Kernel_Pie via Reddit

Nothing says the return of spooky season like spotting a 12-foot skeleton towering over a coffin on the streets of Indianapolis.

This bone-chilling sight was spotted by a Reddit user on East Washington Street — and if you know anything about that side of town, it makes sense that this would be making its way toward Indy’s unofficial Halloweentown.

Walking around Irvington in the fall is an experience, with homes decked out in cobwebs and skulls. The neighborhood is infamous for its house decorating, costume contests + other Halloween festivities.

Are you in spooky spirits yet? We want to see your Halloween decor. Tag us in your photos on Instagram + use the hashtag #SpookyINDYtoday. The best submission will be in for a trick-or-treat.

THE WRAP

	Today’s issue was written by Nicole. Editor’s pick: Here’s another fall activity to add to your bucket list. The Children’s Museum’s Haunted House: Game Night Fright opens on Wed., Oct. 12 and runs through Sun., Oct. 30. You’ll make your way through a maze of giant game pieces + navigate through the Delusional Dominos to battle the Wretched Rooks. Get tickets. ♟️ Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Celebrate one year of INDYtoday.
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Editorial: Anna Bowman, Nicole Hernandez, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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