Top 8 things to do in Indy this weekend – Sept. 7-9
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Here’s a look at some things going on this weekend.
Colts Home Opener
The Indianapolis Colts look to kick-off their 2018 campaign with a win against the ‘right down the road’ rival Cincinnati Bengals. Andrew Luck is back after an injury caused him to miss the vast majority of the 2017 season and new head coach Frank Reich would love to start the year with a W. Tickets for the big game start at $44, and with rain in the forecast, you can bet the roof will be closed. Go Colts!
52nd Annual Penrod Arts Fair
This year’s fair features over 300 artists, six stages of entertainment, more than 75 arts-related non-profit organizations, and an extensive children’s area…and don’t forget to visit the Indiana Craft Beer Garden! This RAIN OR SHINE event (likely rain), takes place this Saturday on the beautiful campus of Newfields beginning at 9 a.m. with things set to wrap-up by 5 p.m. Presale tickets are now available for $15.
25th Annual Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard
New sponsorship, new date but the same great race as NASCAR returns to the Racing Capital of the World this weekend. The weekend begins with Friday practice (11a.m to 3:55p.m.) and the NASCAR Hauler Parade and festival in the streets of Speedway (4:30p.m. to 8 p.m.).
On Saturday, there’s Cup Series practice and qualifying, and the Lilly Diabetes 250 race for the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Music fans also will live life in the party lane through FGL Fest, with superstars Florida Georgia Line as the headliner.
The big race is Sunday with gates set to open at 10 a.m. and the race itself slated to start just after 2 p.m. TICKETS are on sale now, starting at just $35. This race is obviously dependent on the weather…and it’s not looking promising as the remnants of Gordon head this direction. Keep the rain gear handy!
One-Day Festivals
A duo of one-day festivals are set to take place Saturday, both with unique themes. Indy Serb Fest starts at noon and the fun runs through 11 p.m. at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church. The festival features authentic Serbian food, beer and wine, live music and dancing as well as a playground and kids’ activities. Admission is FREE!
St. Joan of Arc Parish in Indianapolis will host their annual French Market/Festival this Saturday from noon until 10 p.m. This one-day festival features French food, live music, artisan booths, a kids area until 5 p.m., historic church tours, a raffle, a bake sale and a Mass in French at 5:30 p.m.
6th Annual CANvitational
The Midwest’s largest canned craft beer festival is this Saturday at Pan Am Plaza and on the 100 block of Georgia Street in downtown Indianapolis. The 6th Annual CANvitational will provide patrons with samples of craft beer from more than 50 award winning breweries from across the USA and beyond, local eats provided by local food trucks, music that will be sure to get everyone dancing in the streets – all in an urban downtown atmosphere. Advance general admission tickets are on sale for $50 with one-hour early admission tickets going for $75. This 21+ event runs from 1 to 5 p.m.
Weekly Music Roundup
The summer concert season is starting to wind down, but there are plenty of acts to see this weekend and in the near future in the Indy area.
The alley behind Square Cat Vinyl will transform into a psychedelic oasis Friday and Saturday for the 2nd Annual Back Alley Ballyhoo: A Psychedelic Happening. The event will feature 20 musical acts along with over a dozen artists and vendors packing the alley behind Square Cat Vinyl. The event is FREE and open to ALL AGES. The Ballyhoo runs 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday.
The Indianapolis Colts will host their Sixth Annual Kickoff Concert on Friday, September 7 on the east block of Georgia St. downtown. the Kick Off Concert will feature recording artist Chase Rice, with special guests Clayton Anderson and Ben Gallaher. Former Colts punter Pat McAfee will serve as host and emcee of the event for the first time. In addition to live music, the concert will feature appearances by the Colts Cheerleaders and Colts mascot Blue, drink specials and other attractions. The event is FREE and open to the public but requires a ticket for entry. Tickets are available here.
Here are other big performances scheduled for this weekend.
FRIDAY:
Bronze Radio Return w/ Keller&Cole – Hi-Fi – 7 p.m.
THE WLDLFE – Deluxe at Old National Centre – 8 p.m.
wellRED Comedy Tour: Trae Crowder, Drew Morgan, Corey Forrester – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre – 8 p.m.
Cool City Band – The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts – 8 p.m.
SATURDAY:
IU Jacobs School of Music – Hilbert Circle Theatre – 7 p.m.
Brandi Carlile with Katie Herzig – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre – 8 p.m.
Pentatonix with special guests Echosmith and Calum Scott – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center – 8 p.m.
Dumpstaphunk – The Vogue (21+) – 9 p.m.
Races and Runs
The two big runs taking place this weekend are the 2018 Indy Ultimate and the Night Nation Run, both set to take place Saturday.
A unique event, the Indy Ultimate, will push you to experience downtown Indianapolis like never before. This urban adventure race begins at 8 a.m. and runs through noon. From running the bases at Victory Field, to kicking a field goal at Lucas Oil Stadium, participants will have unique experiences along this year’s five-mile route, including new stops at Indy’s most iconic sports venues, arts and culture sites, and city landmarks. At the post race party at Monument Circle, participants will receive their finishers medal and one complimentary adult beverage (21+). This event also offers numerous promotions along the way which might offer you a discount to some of the other events on this Top 8 list, such as…a buy one get one free promotion by Sun King for their annual CANvitational, hosted after Indy Ultimate on Georgia Street. A limited number of Brickyard 400 flex seat tickets will be offered on a first come, first served basis. Participants can also receive a discounted Penrod Arts Fair ticket and 50 percent off Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Happy Hour on September 20. For a full list of race activities and destinations, or to register, CLICK HERE!
Celebration Park at the Indiana State Fairgrounds is home to this year’s Night Nation Run. The Night Nation Run is the world’s first running music festival, an ultimate blend of a music festival and fun run. Experience a music filled course with live DJs, light shows, bubble zones, neon and black lights. Cross the finish line into an epic main stage after party featuring top headliner DJs! Gates open at 5 p.m. and the race starts at 8 p.m. Registration costs between $60-80 depending on what package you want.
Charity events
Breakfast After Dark is a fundraising event to benefit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, featuring the best of Indianapolis foods and spirits. Indulge your taste buds in Indy’s finest after hours breakfast as you stop by the various food stations for a tapas style bite to eat. Satisfy your brunch food cravings as you move your way from restaurant station to station, build your own mimosa or bloody Mary at our open bar, and groove the night away to the musical stylings of artist DJ GNO! The event is this Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the 1899 Event Center and tickets are $75.
With the constant rise in bikeability in Indy, it’s time to start empowering women to ride and to do it in style! The 5th Annual Indy SkirtRide, benefiting The Julian Center, will take place Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proper attire can be (but not required) a dress, skirt, tutus, flowers, hats, heels, boots…whatever you want, however you express your cycle style. Everyone is welcome, SKIRTS AREN’T REQUIRED! REGISTER HERE!
Indy’s favorite dog-and-suds event, Ales for Adoptable Tails, will return to historic Indianapolis City Market this Saturday between noon and 3 p.m. Tickets will run you $20 for a basic package (2 drink tickets) or $30 for the VIP package, which includes three drink tickets + Ales for Adoptable Tails branded collapsible dog bowl. Ales for Adoptable Tails is the signature event for IndyHumane’s young professionals affinity group, The Indy P.A.A.W. Coalition. Indy P.A.A.W. seeks to bring together like-minded individuals in an effort to raise awareness and support of IndyHumane and the needs of homeless pets across Central Indiana.