There was a time, not so long ago, that Indianapolis was called “Naptown” because there wasn’t much to do. That certainly isnt the case in 2017, when the city bustles with fairs and festivals, neighborhood moveable feasts such as the Taste of Broad Ripple (June 10, 3-10 p.m., $7 admission; streets will be closed for the festival.), theatre, music, world-class attractions like the Indianapolis Zoo, Children’s Museum, Indianapolis Museum of Art, miles of hiking and biking trails, and a vibrant downtown retail and restaurant scene that always has something to offer. This is one of the busiest weekends in June (until next week). And don’t forget that the Marion County Fair opens June 16 at 5 p.m. with a blaze of fireworks after dark!
Discover Irvington June 17
IRVINGTON — Historic Irvington, the cool neighborhood on the east side between Emerson and Kitley along East Washington St. and Bonna Ave., will host Discover Irvington June 17 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Irvington businesses will have promotions outside on the sidewalk and a scavenger hunt to the Irvington Business Association businesses and Irvington landmarks including Ellenberger Park.
The Scavenger Hunt will run all day. Pick up the first clue at the Irvington Library on the corner of Audubon and East Washington St. Each clue will lead you to the next location, and prizes, treats, and special discounts can be found along the route. Complete the hunt and enter into a drawing for an Irvington Gift basket. Bike cabs will be available to transport hunters to further locations.
From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., there will be a Block Party on the Library Lawn. Irvington organizations will have activities for families on the front lawn of the library. There will also be a dunk tank for Irvington’s most notable and infamous to raise money for Irvington charities. Some of the dunkees include City-County Councilor Blake Johnson (1 p.m.), State Rep. Dan Forestal (3 p.m.), Sue Beecher (1:20 p.m.), Tom Man (1:40 p.m.), Stan Denski (2 p.m.), Jordan Gleason (3:20 p.m.), Dawn Cox Briggs (3:40 p.m.), Amber Giles (4 p.m.), and Mayor’s Neighborhood Liaison Hannah Harper (4:40 p.m.). A slim $1 will get you a chance to dunk these folks, but it’s for great local causes.
From 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Jennifer Young will be at Bookmamas to sign copies The Blue Diamond Box a wholesome book for teens. The author will have a contest-guess the key to the princess’ heart to be entered to win a copy of the book. From 4 p.m.-6 p.m., Shari Held will be signing copies of her brand new book Indianapolis: A Photographic Portrait.
Hampton Designs inside the Bonna Shops will present “Shopping with Queens,” featuring live performances at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 4:30 p.m. from Indy’s fiercest Drag Queens, including 2016 Miss Gay Indiana, Blair St. Clair, and Kalinda. The Bonna Shops are at 202 S. Audubon.
Talbot Street Art Fair
INDIANAPOLIS — The Talbot Street Art Fair is one of the longest-running art fairs in the city, starting on Mother’s Day in 1956 in the “alley” between Pennsylvania and Delaware known as Talbot St. Starting with 15 artists who hung their work on fences, clotheslines, and any other surface they could find, the artists attracted 1,500 visitors that first year. By 1958, the fair had 34 artists and many more people showed up! The organizers of the first fairs had no idea it would turn into the major street art fair it is today, with 270 artists from Indiana and all over the nation and thousands of visitors.
This year’s Talbot Street Art Fair will be held June 17 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and June 18 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The fair takes place on the east side of downtown, between 16th and 20th streets and Pennsylvania and Delaware streets. Admission is free.
Considered one of the best art fairs in the Midwest, the Talbot Street Art Fair has fine arts and crafts, and visitors have a chance to talk with the artists. Ceramics and pottery, glasswork, jewelry, painting, sculpture, stonework — most art forms are represented at the fair. Every year there are new vendors and new things to see — plus old favorites. Refreshments are available at food tents located on the grounds, or there are some nifty neighborhood restaurants along 16th Street.
Because of the popularity of Talbot Street Art Fair, and the many other activities going on in the area (including the Harrison Center’s Independent Music and Art Fair), parking may be hard to find. The Knights of Columbus at 1305 Delaware St. offers parking in their lot for $10. In addition, Boy Scout Troop 269 will offer parking for $5 in designated parking lots at 18th and 17th and Pennsylvania, and in the alley (watch for signs). Proceeds will go to pay for their summer camp and more. Pedal and Park will also offer a bike corral on the front lawn of Herron High School, with donations accepted for Herron High School.
The Herron Morton Place Historic Neighborhood is the host for the Talbot Street Art Fair.
For more information about the fair, visit www.talbotstreet.org
