07.03.2024

Today’s Forecast

🎡 The best of fair fare

City Editors Nicole and Shea’s top picks from the 2024 Indiana State Fair new foods list

INDYtoday: INDY_cinnamon toast crunch funnel cake state fair_JUL24

This funnel cake looks like a dessert we would have dreamed up while watching Saturday morning cartoons in elementary school — and that’s a good thing. | Photo courtesy of R & W Concessions/Indiana State Fair

One of the most anticipated drops of the year is finally here: The list of new foods coming to the 2024 Indiana State Fair.

Before the fair kicks off on Friday, Aug. 2, City Editors Nicole and Shea browsed through the 43 new food + drink items and pulled out the ones they’re most excited to try.

Nicole’s picks

As a boba devotee (she’s even created a guide to a few of her favorite spots), Nicole is stoked for the Boba Lemonade Shake-Up from Indiana Ribeye, which sounds like the perfect way to cool off on a sweltering day.
What pairs well with boba? Korean corn dogs from Meatball Factory LLC, fried and topped with ketchup, mustard, sweet chili sauce and sriracha.

INDYtoday: INDY_Everything Fry state fair food_JUL24 — We’re not sure this fry technically has *everything* on it — but close enough.
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Photo courtesy of SW Concessions/Indiana State Fair

Why order curly fries, pulled pork, and bacon separately when you can have them all together with SW Concessions’ The Everything Fry? Top this concoction with cheese, ranch, and barbecue sauce and you’ve got Nicole’s dream dinner.

Shea’s picks

Shea’s love language is mac ‘n cheese, so it’s no surprise that she’s most excited about the Grilled Cheese Slammer from Freund Family Food, which is filled with barbecue pork, mac ‘n cheese, and fried pickles.
Speaking of pickles, they’re having a huge moment at the fair — and as a Dr. Pepper lover, Shea’s ready to roll the dice on R & W Concessions’ Dill Pickle Dr. Pepper.

INDYtoday: INDY_state fair aloha hot honey chicken nachos food_JUL24 — Nachos topped with a generous drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey? Yes please.
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Photo courtesy of Urick Concessions/Indiana State Fair

Hot honey is also popular this year, with the Aloha Hot Honey Chicken Nachos from Urick Concessions standing out thanks to the promise of crispy tortilla chips, taco-seasoned chicken, queso, pineapple chunks, a drizzle of hot honey, and mango salsa.
If she’s saved room for dessert, Shea will cap off her fair food tour with a Cinnamon Toast Crunch Funnel Cake from R & W Concessions, the perfect nostalgic dessert.

Planning your own food tour? Peruse the full list here.

3 more of our faves

Asked

What year did the Indiana State Fair begin?

A. 1852
B. 1876
C. 1907
D. 1951

Meet me at the fair

Events

Wednesday, July 3

Pet Adoption Wagon | Wednesday, July 3 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Indianapolis Public Library Irvington Branch, 5625 E. Washington St., Indianapolis | Cost of adoption | Meet pets eagerly awaiting their second chance at happiness.

Thursday, July 4

Independence Day at Punch Bowl Social | Thursday, July 4-Sunday, July 7 | 10-2 a.m. | Punch Bowl Social, 120 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis | Cost of purchase | Enjoy a patriotic scavenger hunt, $24 drink buckets, and discounted bowling.
4th of July Celebration at CarmelFest Gazebo | Thursday, July 4 | 8:30-9:45 p.m. | Carmel Gazebo, 3 Civic Sq., Carmel | Free | Make this spectacular live outdoor concert a part of your Independence Day celebrations.

Friday, July 5

FUNBOX Bounce Park | Friday, July 5-Sunday, July 7 | 12:30-7 p.m. | Greenwood Park Mall, 1251 U.S. Hwy 31 N., Greenwood | $9-$30 | Experience obstacle courses, slides, and bounce houses at the world’s biggest bounce park.
Artist Workshop with John Clark | Friday, July 5 | 5-7 p.m. | SPARK on the Circle, 1 Monument Cir., Indianapolis | Free | Learn how to create drawings, poems, zines, and short stories.

Saturday, July 6

Chess Club at College Avenue | Saturday, July 6 | 2-4:30 p.m. | College Avenue Branch, 4180 N. College Ave., Indianapolis | Free | Match wits and skill with some thrilling chess matches — all ages and skill levels are welcome.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Travel

Travel and Outdoors

You’re invited to explore Elkhart County’s Quilt Gardens

Presented by an INDYtoday partner

a gif featuring images of past quilt gardens

You’ll need a full weekend to visit all 13 quilts in person. | Photos courtesy of Elkhart County CVB; GIF by INDYtoday

Picture this: You’re strolling along surrounded by over a million blooms bursting in vibrant, gigantic Quilt Gardens, with super-sized hand-painted Quilt Murals completing this vibrant tapestry of color.

Hoosiers can experience the blooming world of Elkhart County’s annual Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail now through September 15.

Now in its 17th year, the Quilt Gardens are a free attraction for visitors. The award-winning extravaganza is not your average garden party. Visitors will find these bounties of blooms blanketing the welcoming communities of Elkhart, Goshen, Bristol, Middlebury, Nappanee, and Wakarusa.

Fun fact: Every Quilt Garden and Quilt Mural has its own intricate pattern telling their own unique story. This year, there are 13 Quilt Gardens and 12 Quilt Murals, so you’ll want to plan plenty of time to see them all (hint: plan a weekend stay — it’s just a three-hour drive from Indianapolis).

Pro tip: The Quilt Gardens passport can even win you fun Elkhart County swag. Grab a free area guide, and plan your visit below.

Plan your visit

News Notes

Traffic

Driving through Carmel next weekend? The West Main Street bridge will be closed both directions between Illinois and North Pennsylvania streets for construction. The bridge is expected to be closed from 9 p.m. on Friday, July 12 through 6 a.m. on Monday, July 15. (WISH)

Coming Soon

Burlington is planning a new downtown store in the basement of the Claypool Court building at 110 W. Washington St., previously home to the Rhythm! Discovery Center. It’s expected to open in the fall and will be the brand’s 19th location in Indiana. (IndyStar)

Sports

Another local athlete is headed to the Olympics. Plainfield’s Daryn Wright was added to the USA Diving team after the team awarded a second spot in women’s 10-meter platform. Psst — keep an eye out for a full story about Hoosier Olympians coming to this newsletter soon. (WISH)

Cause

Want to take a 180-mph ride in an IndyCar? Then you should register for “Speed for Community Need,” a fundraiser to help United Way of Central Indiana in the fight to end poverty. To qualify for the Wednesday, Oct. 9 experience, you must raise $1,500. Learn more. (WTHR)

Number

7000%. That’s how much searches for Airbnbs in Indy have surged for Friday, Nov. 1 through Sunday, Nov. 3, the weekend Taylor Swift’s “The Eras” Tour will be in town. If you’re going and have yet to plan an outfit, we can show you incredible things. (WISH)

Hoosier

She is not throwin’ away her shot. Indianapolis native Morgan Anita Wood is making her Broadway debut as Eliza in “Hamilton” on Tuesday, July 16. “I am indebted to the Indy artists, peers, directors, and friends who gave me permission... to embrace these passions of mine,” Wood said. (WTHR)

Listen

Will Notre Dame’s 2024 season be a defining one for Marcus Freeman? Irish alum Tyler Wojciak breaks down his predictions.

Try This

🚤 I’m on a boat

Beat the heat with a Getmyboat rental near Indy

INDYtoday: INDY_Morse Reservoir boat sunset_JUL24

Imagine catching the sunset over Morse Reservoir on your own boat. | Photo by @lauraquinn2748

There’s no better way to beat the heat than with a day on the water, but what do you do if you don’t own a watercraft? Enter the Airbnb of boats: Getmyboat. From canoes to jetskis to powerboats, you can rent someone else’s watercraft and hit the lake or the river.

Here are just a few of the local options we found:

White River pontoon: This boat seats eight guests, and you’ll get the chance to put on your captain hat.

Geist Lake pontoon: This boat is available with or without a captain + boasts 19 5-star reviews.

Morse Reservoir pontoon: If you’re looking for a more all-inclusive experience, this boat comes with its own captain, as well as sunscreen, towels, flotation devices, and ice-cold, family-friendly beverages.

Eagle Creek sailboat: Become one with nature on a serene, expertly captained sail around Eagle Creek.

The Buy

The Buy 7.03.24 (Affiliate)

Lightweight, keeps-you-cool basics from 32 Degrees. Stock up during the Fourth of July sale — cool technology tops start at $3.99 and bottoms start at $4.99.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Shea

From the editor

Curious about the world’s largest bounce park? So was I. Luckily our friends at CBUStoday already tried it out.

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