GermanFest is a celebration of German American heritage in Indianapolis and acts as a bookend to Oktoberfest season, which typically runs the month of September and first week of October.
The festival celebrates the tradition and culture of Indy’s German ancestors with food, drinks, live music, and games. You can’t forget the keg toss + fan-favorite wiener dog races.
This year, the Athenaeum is focused on providing true, traditional German-style food.
“It’s a good way to connect with local community members, [...] especially if you’re new to the market and don’t really know what’s going on. It’s a really fun way to step into the Mass Ave. or Lockerbie neighborhood and start to get a feel for this part of town,” said Athenaeum Foundation President Craig Mince.
The festivities will run from noon-8 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 8 on Michigan + New Jersey streets, outside the Athenaeum. Pro tip: get tickets in advance online to save money.
The Culture
The Athenaeum’s mission is to remind Hoosiers of Indy’s German culture and help keep the traditions alive.
“I think Indianapolis would be a much different city if we didn’t have that German culture and heritage in it for the last 200 years,” said Craig.
If you didn’t know, by the end of the 1890s, about 70% of Indianapolis residents reported having German heritage.
During the 19th century, German immigration transformed the Midwest socially, demographically, and politically — and Indianapolis was no exception. German immigrants who settled on Indianapolis’ south side developed a network of greenhouses + produce farming that fed the community and their tradition of locally-grown produce has been making a resurgence today.
Share this newsletter with your German family and friends + anyone else who love learning about our city.
Cinnaholic Grand Opening | Fri., Sept. 30 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | 1350 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel | Cost of purchase | Celebrate Cinnaholic’s first Indy location + get there early for delicious cinnamon rolls for $2. 🧁
Saturday
Indy Jazz Fest | Sat., Oct. 1-Sun., Oct. 2 | 2-10 p.m. | MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park | $10+ | Celebrate the legacy of jazz, modern masters, and new jazz stars with a two-day outdoor festival. 🎷
Indy Eleven vs. FC Tulsa | Sat., Oct. 1 | 7 p.m. | Carroll Stadium, 1001 W. New York St. | $13+ | Cheer on our soccer team as they attempt to bring home another win following Wednesday’s victory. ⚽
YPCI Gala | Sat., Oct. 1 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | Indiana Historical Society | $85+ | Join the Young Professionals of Central Indiana for a night of dancing, drinks, and giving back to the community. ⭐
Sunday
Beasley’s Heartland Apple Festival | Sun., Oct. 2 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | 2304 E. Main St., Danville | $5+ | Check out this fall attraction, complete with hayrides to the pumpkin patch, an 8-acre corn maze, and a barnyard family activity area. 🍎
Post Malone: Twelve Carat Tour | Sun., Oct. 2 | 8 p.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | $79+ | The singer/rapper said the show must go on after a recent stage fall in St. Louis + is still set to perform in Indy. 🎤
We have amonthly 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.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
Marlow’s sleep system is part of the Brooklinen family. | Photo provided by Marlow
Real talk: You’re an adult, and it’s time to saygoodbye to those sad, flat pillows and invest in bedding that supports your neck and back.
Marlow designed a pillow specifically for side sleepers with:
Three unique profiles (read: angles to support your neck)
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Cooling technology
The reviews speak for themselves — according to buyers, Marlow’s pillow gave them their best night of sleep in years. Bonus: Marlow offers 365-day returns, and code 6AM saves you 10%, plus buy-more, save-more discounts up to 40%.*
Plans have been finalized.Fishers is receiving more than $4 million in state grants for a major expansion of the Nickle Plate Trail, extending it to the city’s borders and stretching into Indianapolis and Noblesville. The plan also includes a pedestrian bridge over 96th Street. Noblesville and Fishers portions are expected to finish by the end of 2023 + the Indianapolis portion is scheduled to finish in 2024. 💰 (CBS4)
Biz
International shipping company DHL opened a new service center on the city’s east side at 345 Strategy Dr., investing nearly $8 million to relocate + double the size of the new facility. The nearly 43,000-sqft warehouse will increase shipment capacity and enable faster shipment processing. 📦 (Inside Indiana Business)
Stat
36%. On average, that’s how much road construction costs have risen over the past two years. INDOT says this is largely due to inflation + it’s one of the industry’s biggest challenges. The price of steel is up between 67-138%, plastic pipes and fittings are up 82%, and diesel fuel costs are up 86% in Indiana. 🚧 (CBS4)
Watch
There’s something in the water. The locally-produced film “So Cold the River” that we told you about back in March is making it’s way to Bloomington for a special showing at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater (114 E. Kirkwood Ave.) this evening at 7 p.m. There will be a pre-show cocktail hour starting at 6 p.m. and a Q&A with filmmakers after the screening. Get tickets. 🎥
Read
A new book written by Ball State students, “Facing Social Justice in Sports,” is comprised of 21 stories from athletes, coaches, and sports media professionals battling and overcoming social justice obstacles — including racism, gender inequality, poverty, mental health, disability, and LGBTQ+ challenges. Learn more + get the book. 📖 (WTHR)
Hoosier
She’s only been a Hoosier since July, but she’s already making her mark in Indy. Leticia Maki Teramoto is the new head of the Mexican Consulate in Indiana, which sits at the corner of Lord + East streets — and she’s the first female to take on the role. The office of the Indiana consulate is just 20 years old and she will cover Indiana, Kentucky, and part of Ohio. 🇲🇽 (WRTV)
Cause
Florida is a common destination for Hoosiers + right now, its community is being swamped by Hurricane Ian. If you’re looking to help our friends in the southwest, you can donate to the American Red Cross or give blood. Learn more about how you can help. 🤝 (WTHR)
Travel
Who’s planning on traveling out of IND for the Thanksgiving holiday? Pro tip: It’s never too early to book those flights. Pro, pro tip:Scott’s Cheap FlightsElite Plan gets you up to 90% off premium economy,business, and first class seats. ✈️*
Real Estate
For Raynette + Jim Costanza, selling their investment property made the transition to retirement even sweeter. See how they did it.*
Learn
Bom dia, Indianapolis.Learning a new language can feel difícil (that’s Portuguese for “difficult”), but with Babbel, it doesn’t have to be. Their bite-size, 10-minute lessons are designed to fit your lifestyle — and right now, you can get 55% off your subscription.*
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Irvington is know as the Halloweentown of Indy so the nerighbors here go all out on decorations. | Photo by @findalottolove
Walking around Irvington in the fall is an experience, with homes decked out in cobwebs, skulls, and over-the-top Halloween decorations.
Do you think you can out-decorate the neighbors of Indy’s unofficial Halloweentown? Don’t worry Irvington, we still want you to show us your stuff.
To get you in spooky spirits, we want to see your Halloween decor.
Send us photos of your bone-chilling displays + the best submissions will be in for a trick-or-treat (aka a feature in the newsletter or on our social media).
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Nicole.
Editor’s pick: Looking to pre-game GermanFest? You can kick off the festivities early with Oktoberfest at The Cradle at Monon 30 (1118 E. 30th St.) today through Sun., Oct. 2. Stop by to enjoy food + beer in the Biergarten, live music, and traditional Oktoberfest activities.
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