Top 8 things to do in Indy this Weekend: July 20-22
1. 48th Black Expo Summer Celebration — Final Weekend
The Black Expo Summer Celebration continues this weekend with several of the biggest musical acts and community events yet to happen. Make sure to swing by the 33rd Annual Black & Minority Health Fair beginning at noon and running through 7 p.m. this Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday at the Indiana Convention Center (Hall F). Attendees can receive nearly $2,000 worth of FREE health screenings, education and information on how to prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and cancer.
In addition to the health fair, there are a ton of other things to do at the celebration this weekend including the Music Heritage Festivals (I – Friday at the American Legion Mall & II – Saturday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse), the All White Affair, a Children’s Zone, the Midwest Invitational Boxing Showcase, the IBE’s Gospel Showcase and much, much more.
2. Savor Downtown Indy
Savor Downtown Indy began earlier this week and runs through the last weekend this month. If you’ve never participated, Savor allows you to enjoy special offers at the Circle City’s best restaurants to discover why downtown Indy is the ultimate dining destination. CLICK THIS LINK to see a list of participating restaurants and what specials they are offering.
3. The Festival That Tops In Food
As one of the oldest festivals in the state of Indiana – founded in 1937, the same year as the Parish – the St. Christopher Mid-Summer Festival has held its 3-day event every year with the exception of 1942, when the United States entered World War II. Not only is the festival one of the oldest in the Hoosier state, it’s the 4th largest event in Speedway each year, behind only the IMS events. If you’re a foodie, this is the festival for you! Their claim to fame is the hand battered fish sandwiches. Each year volunteers hand batter more than two tons of Icelandic cod. The homemade BBQ & coney sauces are made from the original 1940s recipes. Side dishes include potato salad, macaroni & cheese, baked beans, deviled eggs, and cole slaw. Their Filipino community will have authentic Filipino food including egg rolls, kebabs, and fried rice. A roasted corn booth will feature sweet corn with baked & sweet potatoes, brats, grilled hot dogs and macaroni-and-cheese-stuffed cheeseburgers. The baking committee will produce approximately 600 cakes and 500 fruit and cream pies. Parish-made elephant ears and strawberry shortcake will also be available. “The Festival That’s Tops in Food” runs Thursday through Saturday with hours varying by day.
4. Beer, Wine and or Tequila
With all the talk of food and festivals, what better way to wash it down than with an adult beverage at one of the many events happening at local breweries or charity events this weekend.
They had a blast at their open house last year, so Central State Brewing decided to have another party this summer! This time they will have more neighbors joining them (and notably, more beer). The festival is Friday from 5-9 p.m. EVENT PAGE
This Saturday from 5-10 p.m., enjoy a summer evening experiencing vintages al fresco at the tenth annual IU Health North Hospital Art of Wine, a can’t-miss event in the Carmel Arts & Design District. All ages are welcome to attend IU Health North Hospital Art of Wine, enjoy the entertainment, take in unique art and visit the District’s shops and restaurants and adults 21 years of age and older are invited to unlimited wine tastings from participating wineries for only $20.
Daredevil Brewing Co. in Speedway will host the first ever Lift Off IPA day. They started the brewery with one year round beer, Lift Off IPA, which has grown to become one of the most popular beers across Indianapolis and Indiana. They decided it deserves it’s own day. Enjoy specials at the brewery and many tap takeovers across town.
Saturday, July 21, Santa is once again making his way to Flat12 for the bi-annual release of Pinko, their Russian Imperial Stout. It’s mid-summer, the end of July and in Flat12 tradition, they put a twist on it… they are releasing a variety of specialty and barrel-aged versions of their epic imperial stout. Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, deck yourself out in your ugliest Christmas sweater, sip on a variety of barrel aged and specialty brews and get your photos with Santa to celebrate the tapping of his stashed away Pinko kegs! This year, the event is FREE to attend with half pints of all varieties on tap for purchase.
Tequila enthusiasts unite as you embark on a journey to warm up your taste buds as you taste a variety of tequilas at the 2018 Indianapolis Summer Tequila Tasting Festival at Broken English Taco Pub this Saturday from 4-6 p.m.! Get ready for a fun filled event for tequila fanatics and for those not yet a fan, get ready to be converted! Enjoy an intimate setting with tequila reps showcasing their brands! Tickets to the winter tasting sold out, so BUY YOUR TICKETS early.
5. Weekly Music Round-Up
Bush, Stone Temple Pilots & The Cult will perform the Revolution 3 Tour in Noblesville this Friday beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are currently starting at just $19.
Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne & LANCO will perform at the Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center this Saturday at 7 p.m. with tickets starting as low as $49.
Symphony on the Prairie will feature Strauss’ Don Juan, a daring and energetic work – the first tone poem written by Richard Strauss as he sparked a new genre. There will be a performance both Friday and Saturday with tickets starting at $31.
The Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park will host the Tedeschi Trucks Band- Wheels of Soul 2018 this Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $32.50.
6. 14th Annual Pop Tab and Coin Drop
Last year, with the help of hundreds of pop tab collectors, more than 9 million pop tabs were collected during the event. Thanks to the efforts of Hoosiers across the state, RMHCCIN has recycled over 1 billion tabs since the program began in 1995. The House currently holds the Guinness World Record for “most aluminum tabs recycled in 24 hours” from the 2016 event. RMHCCIN collects and recycles pop tabs to help raise money for the more than 5,000 families of hospitalized children that come through their doors every year. The Pop Tab Program generates approximately $20,000 annually. Donors can bring their pop tab collections and spare change to Monument Circle and drop them into one of the many collection containers lined along the curb, or are welcome to simply go through the drive-thru lanes and volunteers will be available to unload their tabs. For those who haven’t had time to collect pop tabs, but still want to make a contribution, they are also holding a coin drive. MORE INFORMATION
7. Races — Land or Water and Land
You know it’s a great race when it both raises money for charity AND ends with celebratory ice cream! The Ice Cream 5K is taking place on Saturday, July 21 at the White River State Park (festivities begin at 7 a.m.) and a portion of the proceeds will go to Riley Children’s Foundation. This family friendly event will include a 5K race, 1 mile kids run and a baby/toddler crawl/walk. The after party will include multiple activities such as dancing, face painting, music, awards and of course – Ice Cream! REGISTER HERE
Another race option this weekend is the The 6th Annual Iron Eagle Paddle & Run at Eagle Creek Park this Saturday. The Iron Eagle Paddle & Run was adopted as the Eagle Creek Park Foundation’s primary fundraiser to showcase the natural beauty of the park and all it has to offer, especially for athletes. This one-of-a-kind race takes you on an adventure through one of the nation’s largest city parks by alternating between trail runs and a kayak or canoe leg on the reservoir. Beautiful scenery is guaranteed, along with some fun and competition, of course! All ages are welcome. REGISTER HERE
8. 13th Annual Back to School Celebration
The Catch the Stars Foundation would like to invite you to be a part of their 13th Annual Back to School Celebration at our new location the Indianapolis Central Public Library (40 E. Saint Clair St.) this Sunday, July 22nd from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.. The purpose of this free celebration is to get students, parents & the community excited about the upcoming school year. In addition to food, entertainment & a community fair, 1,000 school-supply filled backpacks will be given to students (grades 1-12). Pre-registration is required.