What to know

• This year’s event will have over 300 exhibitors.
• Sessions will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium.
• Wednesday + Thursday night concerts will be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
• Students will participate in a service project to construct 1,200 travel book pillows to go to hospitals + schools.
• The annual convention has been held in Indy since 2016 + will continue to be held in Indianapolis through at least 2033.

Photo by National FFA Organization

By the numbers

• In 2018, the convention had an economic impact of $39.8 million. In 2021, the convention brought in about $30 million — its first year back in person following the pandemic.
• In 2018, the convention’s National Days of Service project had an economic impact of $171,842.
• The convention has a huge impact on the local hospitality industry, booking out 115 hotels around Indy and ~32,550 hotel rooms.

• Indy Pride Career Fair | Mon., Oct. 24 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Free | More than 70 LGBTQ+ friendly businesses and employers looking to hire will be in one place.

• Twilight Tales | Wed., Oct. 26 | 7-8 p.m. | Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | $20.00 | Venture through the museum on this flashlight-led tour to visit some of the creepiest artifacts in the museum’s collection.

• P30 Grand Opening | Fri., Oct. 28 | 5:30-8 p.m. | 3039 N. Post Rd., Indianapolis | Free | Join this new co-working space + community hub in celebrating its grand opening.

• Brew HaHa Halloween 5K | Sat., Oct. 29 | 7 a.m.-12 p.m. | Military Park, 601 W. New York St., Indianapolis | Treat yourself to the ultimate 5K Run/Walk + enjoy a beautiful course along the canal.
• Hotel Tango’s Halloween Makers’ Market | Sat., Oct. 29 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Foxhole at Hotel Tango Distillery, 670 Virginia Avenue, Indianapolis | Free | Grab a drink + shop an array of unique art pieces made by your neighbors at this Halloween-themed local artist’s market.
• Yappy Hour | Sat., Oct. 29 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Military Park, 601 W. New York St., Indianapolis | Free | Bring the pups to this family-friendly outdoor happy hour focused on bringing the Indianapolis community together.

• 78º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
• With less than a tenth of an inch of rain so far this month, central Indiana is looking at one of the driest Octobers on record.💧 (WRTV)

• Starting this morning, INDOT will close the ramp from northbound I-65 to Meridian and Pennsylvania streets as part of the North Split project. Construction crews will be widening part of the bridge near the ramp + replacing concrete. It’s expected to reopen by the end of November, weather permitting. 🚧 (WTHR)

• The City of Indianapolis is looking for proposals to redevelop the old City Hall parking lot, with the goal of revitalizing the area. Developers are being encouraged to submit proposals for a mixed-use development on the ~half-acre acre lot at 222 N. Alabama St. The land will be listed for a minimum of $2.6 million. 🏗️ (IndyStar)

• The Indianapolis Fire Department has a new six-story training tower. The structure features three sections — a four-story fire training tower, a two-story residential section, and a one-story burn room annex. The department estimates ~4,000 firefighters will train in the facility each year, starting with a 60 member recruit class in February. 🚒 (WRTV)

• Butler University celebrated the grand opening of its Esports Park with a big announcement. It will be hosting the 2023 Big East Conference Esports championships in March. The 7,500-sqft facility officially opened on Friday + includes PC and console gaming and event space, co-working spaces, a studio and production room, and a cafe. 🎮 (IBJ)

• The largest mural of its kind is complete + ready to greet travelers at IND. “Transitions” — a 3D mural made of more than 300,000 colorful recyclable cups by artist Jackie Head — took five months to come to life and will be on display outside the airport for at least three years. ✈️ (WRTV)

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• Don’t let chilly temperatures keep you from visiting the pumpkin patch or going to outdoor sporting events. Stock up on HotHands Hand Warmers + keep the feeling in your fingers all season long. Or try this rechargeable electric hand warmer with three different heat levels.*

• Avon: 6-9 p.m.
• Bloomington: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
• Brownsburg: 6-8:30 p.m.
• Carmel: 5-8 p.m.
• Columbus: 5:30-8 p.m.
• Fishers: 6-8 p.m.
• Greenfield: 5-8 p.m.
• Indianapolis: 6-8 p.m.
• Johnson County: 6-8:30 p.m.
• Lawrence: 6-8 p.m.
• Plainfield: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
• Southport: 5-8 p.m.
• Speedway: 6-8 p.m.
• Zionsville: 5:30-8:30 p.m.