May 14, 2024

Today’s Forecast

🌸 The perfect peony party

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Gov. Holcomb proclaimed May 22, 2021 as Indiana Peony Day. | Photo by @indianapeonyfestival

Stop and smell the roses — err, peonies — because the Indiana Peony Festival kicks off this weekend in Noblesville. Here’s everything you need to know about this fantastic floral festival.

🌸 Schedule of events

Peonies in the Park | Friday, May 17 | 6-9 p.m. | $150 | Enjoy an adults-only night in Seminary Park with some of Indianapolis’ most talented chefs, including Samir Mohammad (9th Street Bistro), Michael Conley (Kan-Kan), and Youssef Boudarine (J’Adore/Bluebeard). Guests are encouraged to dress in their favorite spring dress, dapper sport coat, or peony-inspired festive fit.

Brunch and Blooms | Saturday, May 18 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Cost of purchase | Flit between ~30 locations in downtown Noblesville that will be offering peony-inspired food, drinks, products, promotions, and live music. You can even grab a map at the tent on the courthouse lawn + get it stamped at 15 or more locations for a chance to win special prizes.

INDYtoday: INDY_Indiana Peony Festival Noblesville Seminary Park flowers 2_APR24 — Seminary Park is home to 200+ peony bushes across 1.5 acres.
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Photo by INDYtoday team

Indiana Peony Festival | Saturday, May 18 | 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 photo opps galore.

🌸 Know before you go

Parking: Make sure you wear comfortable shoes for walking. Street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods is free, as well as in these nearby lots.

INDYtoday: INDY_Indiana Peony Festival Noblesville Seminary Park flowers_APR24 — Make sure you hit the festival early on Saturday to get the best pick of peonies from dozens of florists before they sell out.
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Photo by INDYtoday team

Traffic: Several roads in the area are currently closed for construction, including sections of Conner Street and Pleasant Street. Here’s a helpful map, which also outlines shuttle stops.

Pets/strollers: Since the festival is fully outdoors, dogs are welcome. You know your furry friend best — don’t bring them if they don’t do well in crowds. Kids are also aplenty at the festival, just keep in mind that the crowds may create some navigational difficulties if you have a large stroller.

The history behind the festival

Events

Tuesday, May 14

Angel | Tuesday, May 14 | 7 p.m. | The Vogue Theatre, 6259 N. College Ave., Indianapolis | $25-$30 | Rock out to tunes from this glam arena rock band that’s been making music since 1975.

Wednesday, May 15

Settlers of Catan | Wednesday, May 15 | 7-9 p.m. | North Mass Boulder, 1411 Roosevelt Ave., Indianapolis | Free | Bring your own board for a fun-filled evening of Settlers of Catan.

Thursday, May 16

Fort Shorts: Comedy | Thursday, May 16 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Heartland Film, 8950 Otis Ave., Indianapolis | $10 | Laugh out loud as local comedian Brian Pitre presents some of the Indy Shorts International Film Festival’s best comedy shorts.

Friday, May 17

Nostalgia Drag Racing League | Friday, May 17-Saturday, May 18 | 8 a.m.-8 p.m. | Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, 10267 US Highway 136, Indianapolis | $30-$50 | Watch some of drag racing’s most noteworthy machines take to the track.
Pints + Paddles | Friday, May 17 | 5-8 p.m. | Stephens Park, 605 S. Stephen Dr., Brownsburg | Free | Hit the pickleball courts for friendly matches, refreshing drinks, and socializing.

Saturday, May 18

Fresh Thyme Market Open House + Birthday Bash | Saturday, May 18 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Fresh Thyme Market, 2342 W. 86th St., Indianapolis | Free | Celebrate 10 years of this iconic local market with cake samples and a $100 gift card drawing.

Events calendar here

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Plan Ahead

Mark your calendars for this epic summer concert series

We can’t think of a better way to spend a summer evening in Indy. | Photo provided by Rock the Ruins; Doug Fellegy

The forecast at Holliday Park now through September? A summer of groove-tastic activities during Rock the Ruins.

This outdoor concert series is bringing 15 shows to the 95-year-old park with The Decemberists kicking off the fun on Thursday, May 23. Performances include:

Band of Horses | June 30
Hippo Campus | July 18
Charley Crockett | August 18
And more

Before you go, look at venue policies, parking details, and upgrades (think: exclusive food and drinks, reserved seats + premium tents).

Get ready to rock

News Notes

Closed

Iconic west side restaurant The Iron Skillet has closed its doors after more than 70 years in business. The owner hopes the restaurant will sell and reopen under new management. (IndyStar)

Announced

In celebration of its first birthday, The Stutz is holding a block party on Sunday, May 19 from 12 to 6 p.m. During the event, businesses will be open as usual, with special offerings, giveaways, raffles, vintage cars, a vendor market, and games + activities for the whole family.

Shop

In the market for an eye-catching ride — or just daydreaming about one? Dana Mecum’s 37th Original Spring Classic is underway through Saturday, May 18 at the State Fairgrounds, with 3,000 vehicles including Corvettes, Lamborghinis, muscle cars, hot rods, and more for sale. Learn more. (FOX59)

Watch

Newfields released the lineup for its 2024 Summer Nights Film Series, including iconic movies ranging from “Casablanca” to “Shrek.” Get tickets.

Arts

Carmel High School students have been working remotely with artist Casto Solano to complete a new sculpture to be displayed near the school. The collaborative piece, titled “Channels of Connection in Carmel,” will be installed at the roundabout at Main Street and Lexington Boulevard in the summer of 2025. (The Reporter/WISH)

Answered

We asked which acts you’re seeing at Rock the Ruins, and your top three were Elle King, Manchester Orchestra, and The Struts. Rock on — we’ll see you there.

Sports

Which ACC teams are the best choice for an expanded Big 10? Craig Shemon gives his opinion on the Locked On Big 10 podcast.

Outdoors

👂 Shhhhhhhhhh

INDYtoday: INDY_Southwest Way Park_MAY24

Southwest Way Park earned the No. 7 spot on the list of quietest places in Indianapolis. Hear that? Us neither. | Photo by @imrachelschmidt

With all of the major events taking place in 2024, Indianapolis is a bustling city — and the excitement can make things feel pretty noisy.

Described as “an underestimated threat” by the World Health Organization, noise pollution can impair much more than hearing. Exposure to high noise pollution is also linked to sleep quality, work + school performance, physical ailments, and mental health.

That’s why Earth.fm conducted a study to find places where locals can escape noise pollution. Researchers assessed 3,000+ parks and nature spaces across 245 cities and assigned them “Quiet Scores” based on visitor reviews, ratings, and popularity. Here are Indy’s quietest spots:

1. White River State Park
2. Fort Harrison State Park
3. Holcomb Gardens
4. Eagle Creek Park
5. Holliday Park
6. Garfield Park Conservatory & Sunken Garden
7. Southwestway Park
8. White River Gardens
9. Indianapolis Cultural Trail
10. Indianapolis Museum of Art

Disagree? Or have a favorite spot that isn’t listed?

Whisper our way

The Buy

Clinique’s Take The Day Off cleansing balm makeup remover. This balm’s silky, buttery formula dissolves long-wearing makeup and sunscreens — and it’s one of the brand’s best sellers.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Shea

From the editor

I’ve actually never been to a concert at Rock the Ruins before, but I’ll be changing that this summer with tickets to see Charley Crockett. Just two other readers responded in kind — please say hi if you see me there.

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