• Juneteenth, Monday June 19, is a federal holiday. The post office, library and many other institutions will be closed. There is no mail service on June 19. The day was made a federal holiday in 2021.
• Arts for Lawrence will host a Juneteenth Jubilee on Saturday, June 17 from 4-9 p.m. at the Fort Ben Cultural Campus, 8920 Otis Ave. Admission is free. Vendors, performers, and food trucks will be out as Lawrence celebrates. There will be an afterparty from (9:30-10:30 p.m. with Act A Foo improv comedy ($20).
• There will be a workshop on historic preservation for home and business owners on Thursday, June 15 at 7 p.m. at the Bona Thompson Center, 5350 University Ave. Meg Busch from the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission, plus Paul Diebold and Ashley Thomas from the state’s Historic Preservation and Archaeology division will be on hand to answer questions. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.
• The Talbot Street Art Fair will be held on Saturday, June 17 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, June 18 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. between 16th and 20th along Talbot St. near downtown. Over 250 artists will be on hand with works for sale. This year, organizers have added a children’s activity area with face painting, a community art project, and much more. Admission is free.
• Around the corner from the Talbot Street Art Fair is the Bloombox Festival on Saturday, June 17 from noon-8 p.m. at the Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St. The music/craft/art festival will feature bands on two stages and food and drink vendors. Inside is the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange with handmade goods. Admission is free.
• There is a shortfall of blood donors, and the Red Cross needs help maintaining supplies to hospitals. Platelet donors are especially needed right now. To make an appointment to give blood or platelets, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 to find the closest location.
• Heartland Film Festival’s Indy Shorts Festival will be held July 18-23 with indoor, outdoor and virtual screenings. Last year, Indy Shorts Documentary Short winner “Stranger at the Gate” was nominated for an Academy Award. To get great deals on festival passes, visit indyshorts.eventive.org/passes/buy
• The Town of Cumberland will host the first of the Blues, Beer & BBQ Concert Series on Saturday, June 24 from 6-10 p.m. in the back yard of ReTulled, 11623 E. Washington St. This month’s show features the Nigel Mack Band, Gordon Bonham, and Tad Robinson. This is a family-friendly event, but alcohol is served. There’s a park next door for the little ones. Admission is free.
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads, Grandpas, and Father Figures in our lives!