• The Beech Grove Promoters Club will hold its annual Fall Festival on Main from Sept. 10-13 on Main St. between 3rd Ave. and 6th Ave. There will be great games, food, rides, and free stages with local talent. There will be a parade on Saturday, Sept. 13 at noon with the theme “The Wizard of Oz.” Hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Blue Alchemy will be the final concert for this year’s Irvington Circle concert series. The community event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 6-8 p.m. (note the early start time). There will be refreshments available for purchase, with proceeds going to upkeep on the park. Bring your lawn chairs or sit on the curb and enjoy the music with friends and neighbors. Irvington Circle is on S. Audubon, and will be closed to traffic during the concert.
• Next Saturday, Sept. 13, Arts for Lawrence will present their BBQ & Blues Festival on the Cultural Campus, 8970 Otis Ave. near 56th and Post Rd. from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is always a great festival with food and music. Admission is free.
• FIDO (Friends of Dogs Outside) is celebrating its 20th Anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Brookside Park, 3500 Brookside Parkway S. Dr. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come celebrate their success and continuing mission to advocate for animals. Bring your dog(s) secured with collars and leashes. There will be food trucks, vendors, and a short walk, plus games for people and the dogs who love them.
• Gardeners and foodies might enjoy an upcoming talk at the Arts for Lawrence Theatre, 8920 Otis Ave. “Garcia’s Gardens: A More Than Corny Story” a film presented by Daniel Garcia and his family’s’ backyard garden grew into a thriving farm in Indianapolis. He explores family connections, community and carrying forward his Mexican-American heritage. The event begins at 6 p.m. Admission is free, but reservations are encouraged — visit artsforlawrence.org to reserve a seat.
• Cumberland Parks and Recreation offers a Family Fun Night on the second Thursday of the month at Lions Park, 301 N. Buck Creek, from 5:30-7:30. This is a free night of recreational activities like volleyball, soccer, basketball, crafts for kids, pickleball, and cornhole. All equipment is provided. The next night will be on Thursday, Sept. 11.
• After the tragic loss of an abandoned newborn in Brookside Park on Monday, Sept. 1, more resources need to be made available for parents in crisis. The Indiana Safe Haven Law enables a person to give up an unwanted infant without fear of arrest or prosecution. Safe Haven Baby Boxes are at five Wayne Township and Decatur Township fire stations, and at the Franciscan Health Center for Women and Children at 8111 S. Emerson. The number for the National Safe Haven Alliance is 1-800-510-2229.