During the holiday season, you’ll find this landmark lit up with thousands of colorful lights. | Photo via @greglipps
Indianapolis is no stranger to iconic pieces of architecture, but when visiting downtown, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument is a true standout — and not just because of its impressive height that falls just 15 feet short of the Statue of Liberty.
The history
The State of Indiana constructed the monument in 1902 using gray oolitic limestone sourced from Owen County. Its purpose? To serve as the official memorial for Hoosiers who died in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, Frontier Wars, and Spanish-American War.
The symbolism
The iconic design for the monument is courtesy of German architect Bruno Schmitz, whose proposal won out over 70 other submissions. Schmitz also enlisted the help of artist Rudolf Schwarz, who carved sculptures into the base of the monument to represent key themes such as war and peace.
A. 🏡 More homes being built or sold B. 💼 New jobs or companies moving in C. 🚙 Increased traffic or commute times D. 🛍️ More restaurants, stores, or services E. 💸 Rising rents or home prices F. Other
Nook Cooking Class: Masala Sliders | 6-8 p.m. | Niemann Harvest Market, Carmel | Free | Put an Indian-inspired twist on this classic American dish during this interactive class led by Chef Aunpy Singla.
Buffalo Bisons vs. Indianapolis Indians | 6:35 p.m. | Victory Field | $18+ | Snag half-price tickets for TJ McConnell Night, featuring a meet-and-greet with the Indiana Pacers point guard.
Summer Memories Junk Journaling Workshop | 8 p.m. | Salt & Ash Market | $38+ | Fill a journal with memories from the summer, then take a stroll through the market while sipping a matcha from Joodle’s Matcha Cart.
Thursday, Aug. 28
Luke Bryan | 7 p.m. | Ruoff Music Center, Noblesville | $41+ | A night with the star behind “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)”? “That’s My Kind of Night.”
“The Parent Trap (1998)” | 7 p.m. | Schrott Center for the Arts | Free | There’s no better way to say farewell to summer than with a screening of this iconic 1990s movie starring Lindsay Lohan.
Friday, Aug. 29
Line Dancing with Jeff | 7-10 p.m. | Duke’s Indy | Free | Put on your boogie shoes and get footloose with line dancing lessons from instructor Jeff Smilko + open dance time.
WCWO Wrestling | 7:30 p.m. | The Outlaw Arena | $12+ | Watch family-friendly wrestling fill the ring at this event from the longest running pro wrestling company in central Indiana.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Summer Staycation at Newfields | Saturday, Aug. 30-Sunday, Aug. 31 | Times vary | Newfields | $29 | Get away without going away during this two-day celebration with activities like yoga, brunch, art making, and tea tasting — just to name a few.
Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay | 8:45 p.m. | Scottish Rite Cathedral | $24+ | Listen to Coldplay’s greatest hits as performed by a string quartet — no kiss cams in sight.
Sunday, Aug. 31
Meal with Strangers: Sunday Brunch Series | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Locations vary | $7+ | Join a cozy brunch where you can meet new people, share delicious food, and make unexpected connections.
$474,720. That’s how much Indianapolis, Hamilton County, McCordsville, Speedway, and Whitestown received in planning grants from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization for traffic infrastructure improvements. Read more on how each awardee plans to use its funds — each project will begin work in early 2026. (WISH)
Health
A $150 million medical complex will join Lebanon’s healthcare scene courtesy of Parkview Health. Expected to open in the summer of 2028, plans for the complex include a 30-bed inpatient hospital, 24-hour emergency department, medical offices, and an outpatient diagnostics clinic. Construction is set to begin next year. (WTHR)
Legacy
Forrest Lucas, the founder of Lucas Oil Products and namesake of Lucas Oil Stadium, has died. Learn more about Lucas’ impressive career and the impact he had on numerous industries, including trucking, motorsports, football, and film. (IndyStar)
Transit
Pedal to the metal pavement. Three new Pacers Bikeshare stations with 30 electric bikes have been added to Butler University’s campus, providing connection to downtown Indy and Broad Ripple via the Canal Towpath. Did you know? All Marion County residents can snag free ride passes via the IndyRides Free program.
Seasonal
Calling all Halloween + horror enthusiasts — immersive Halloween bar pop-up Black Lagoon will return to Indiana this October with a new stop at Indy’s Almost Famous. Specific dates for the pop-up are TBA, but for now, look forward to detailed decor and creative, Halloween-inspired cocktails.
Sports
You can’t sweat out this Fever. Caitlin Clark is Nike’s newest signature athlete, set to release her first signature shoe and apparel collection in 2026. Die-hard Fever Fans can get a first taste of what’s to come with the release of select logo pieces online on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Arts
Gallery 924 is looking for artists to think inside the box — a 6” x 6” x 6” to be precise — for its upcoming show, TINY XIV. Hailed as “Indy’s biggest holiday small art show,” all pieces will be available for purchase by holiday shoppers. Submissions are due Sunday, Oct. 12.
Coming Soon
Get ready to feast your senses at Downtown Dinner Theatre’s next performance, “Broadway Off Broadway,” happening Sept. 5-20. Hoosiers can immerse themselves in a show that captures the heart, soul, and spectacle of Broadway’s greatest moments. Grab tickets + use code INDY to snag $5 off.*
Listen
The Colts made 38 moves ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to get to their 53-man roster. What moves were the most notable? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Indianapolis Coltswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Featured Deal
Experience full-body fitness from the comfort of your home with Hydrow. This Labor Day, save $575 on the Hydrow Pro or $275 on the Hydrow Wave with code NOTES. Dive into immersive workouts that engage 86% of your muscles. Stronger starts here — explore more stunning waterways today.*
We may still have a few days left in August, but fall is already on the brain for many Indy residents + businesses, including our local coffee shops.
On our radar? The first part of Milk & Honey Coffeehouse’s fall menu, which is bringing all the autumnal vibes with flavors like pumpkin, toasted marshmallow, apple, and brown sugar cinnamon.
What are some of your other fall-flavored treats around Indy? Let us know.
Self-care isn’t all spa days and forest bathing — although we do love a nice hot stone massage. More often than not, it’s the simple things like prioritizing rest, practicing good hygiene, and practicing mindfulness. Elevate your self-care rituals with these five products:
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.
Speaking of fall-inspired flavors, I may or may not be writing this newsletter whilst sipping on a pumpkin and hazelnut iced coffee to give me the illusion that it’s colder than 85º outside. A girl can dream.
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