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Event Spotlight
Taste of Indy’s 2024 vendors included St. Elmo, Indi Taco, LiftOff Creamery, and Tea’s Me Cafe. | Photo by @tasteofindy
Sure, you could have the traditional hot dogs and hamburgers this Fourth of July weekend — or you could have some of the best cuisine in the city on the Old Washington Street Bridge.
Indy’s largest food festival, Taste of Indy, takes over White River State Park this Saturday, July 5 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with dozens of local food vendors, live music, family-friendly games, and more.
Pro tip: Your ticket is for admission only, so you’ll pay for each dish you want to try — but kids 10 and under enter free.
Events
Events
Monday, June 30
Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas | Monday, June 30-Sunday, Sept. 28 | 10 a.m. | Newfields | $15+ | Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas from the Smithsonian American Art Museum is a colorful collection of paintings from the groundbreaking artist — view now at Newfields.*
John Green + IN FREADOM: Censorship in the Trenches | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Pike Performing Arts Center | $45+ | Hoosier author John Green will discuss the battle with censorship of his novels and other famous books.
Out In Tech: Ice Cream Social | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | BRICS | Cost of purchase | Enjoy a scoop of happiness to celebrate Pride Month — kids and fur babies are welcome to join.
Tuesday, July 1
BC39 Night 1 | 6 p.m. | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | $45+ | Miss the Month of May already? Watch 60+ cars take the IMS track in high-octane races.
Wednesday, July 2
Independence Day Splash Pad Party | 1-3 p.m. | The Shops at Perry Crossing, Plainfield | Free | Beat the heat with a patriotic splash pad party with music, prizes for kids + parents, and specials throughout the shopping center.
Mood Board + Writing Session | 6-8 p.m. | Dream Palace Books & Coffee | $7 | Connect, cut, paste, scribble, and explore at this creative gathering — all supplies included.
Money’s annual list of the Best Colleges in America is out, ranking 732 schools based on affordability and return on investment — and 13 Indiana universities received 4 stars or more. See which ones. (IndyStar)
Outdoors
Just keep swimming... but not here. Last week, Fishers issued a public health advisory for Geist Reservoir and parts of the White River due to elevated E.coli levels, and now, Eagle Creek Park Beach has closed for the same reason. Keep an eye on Facebook for the most recent updates. (WTHR)
Number
72.2 million. That’s how many Americans are expected to travel for the Fourth of July, a 2.4% increase from last year. This includes an estimated 5.84 million people traveling by air — if you’re one of those flyers, familiarize yourself with IND before departure. (AAA)
Try This
Speaking of the airport, travelers will have a hard time missing its newest interactive installation: a replica of the official WNBA All-Star Game court in the center hub. If you shoot some hoops here, send us your pics. (WTHR)
Mansion Monday
Moving to Muncie may not have been on your 2025 bingo card — but it will be after you see this opulent Georgian Revival mansion with everything from original oak woodworking to stained glass windows to handpainted murals. Consider our jaws dropped.
Ranked
No. 53. That’s where Indy ranked on Resonance’s list of America’s 100 best cities. The ranking used data ranging from a city’s GDP to content on Instagram + highlighted the Canal Walk and the Children’s Museum.
Eat
Hoosiers believe in the power of sweet potatoes. That’s the most popular superfood in Indiana, based on Google search data. If you want to buy some, or see what other goodies are growing nearby, head to a local farmers market.
Learn
Take a peek at the first images taken by the largest digital camera ever built, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. While you may not get quite the same view, you can explore the night sky closer to home at Holcomb Observatory + Planetarium. (AP)
Sports
Say hello to the Pacers’ new recruits. Tony East breaks down why the team chose Kam Jones and Taelon Peter with LockedOn.
Try This
Maximize your next meal out with an experience that delivers flavor, comfort, and atmosphere — all in one place. From chef-driven seasonal dishes to signature favorites, patio dining, and happy hour deals, 101 Craft Kitchen serves up something for everyone (think: fried green tomatoes, brunch, and more).*
Community
Uh-oh, short-staffed again? Don’t sweat it — the INDYtoday Job Board has your back. Post your job, reach awesome local talent, and get that role filled fast. Oh, and did we mention it’s totally free? Yep, like zero dollars.
The Circle City has a variety of organizations with volunteer opportunities. | Photo via @gleanersfbindy
Looking for a way to fill your extra-long summer days? Check out these nearby volunteer opportunities you can support with your free time.
Exodus Refugee Immigration | From taking your international neighbor to get their first library card to helping with homework and budgets, this opportunity will give you both fulfillment + a new friend.
Random Acts of Flowers | Arrange bouquets for neighbors in hospitals + healthcare facilities.
Dress for Success | Help women achieve financial independence as a donation sorter, career mentor, or personal shopper (hello dream job).
We’ve got all the Fourth of July essentials you need and won’t immediately throw away after the holiday. (Think: Family-friend games you can play all summer long, a reusable + safe alternative to fireworks, and grill accessories that last). Buy these items today for the chance for them to arrive before the holiday.
🍖 Get the grill ready with this scouring stone that cleans better and faster than a brush.
🔥 Speaking of the grill, trade your old pocket lighter for this windproof one.
🎆 This light up bubble blower serves as a safe, kid-friendly replacement for fireworks.
🇺🇸 This red, white, and blue reusable tablecloth is stain-resistant and waterproof.
☀️ No summer holiday is complete without a fun backyard game like Spikeball or lifesize Jenga.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I’m still mourning the end of the NBA season — but I can’t wait for the debut of the Noblesville Boom, the Pacers’ new G League team. Take a peek inside the team’s very Indiana-coded locker room.
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