Breakfast at the Brickyard, May 18, 2019 @500festival @ims

Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2017, all rights reserved.

By Sabrina List
500 Festival

INDIANAPOLIS (February 21, 2019) – The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®, today announced that former IndyCar driver and current NTT IndyCar Series team owner and philanthropist, Sam Schmidt, will be interviewed by Bob Jenkins, the legendary voice of the Indy 500, at the 2019 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc. The event will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“We’re thrilled to have Sam Schmidt join us for this year’s 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc.,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “Sam is a tremendous example of overcoming adversity and using innovative technologies to improve the livelihood of people with disabilities. Breakfast at the Brickyard guests will leave inspired by his story.”

Sam Schmidt was an IndyCar driver when he sustained a C-3/4/5 spinal cord injury while practicing for the 2000 season opener at Walt Disney World Speedway. He created the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF) that year to raise funds for medical research, innovative equipment used for rehabilitation, and quality-of-life issues. SSPF, now Conquer Paralysis Now, is a leading authority on spinal cord injury research and treatment. They are backed by an international coalition of medical doctors, research scientists and business leaders who share a singular goal: Finding a cure for paralysis.

While he lost the use of his limbs, Schmidt never lost his will or his passion for racing. In 2013, Schmidt agreed to partner with a team of Arrow engineers who were committed to make his dream to drive again a reality. Together, a team of engineers and medical researches worked to modify a car to be safely driven by Sam’s head movement. On May 18, 2014, Sam took the Semi-Autonomous Motor Car (SAM) to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, driving for the first time since his accident in 2000. He was able to reach 97 MPH, and later reached 107 MPH back at the IMS. Schmidt is the current co-owner of Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. He is also the only quadriplegic to have an active driver’s license, and is motivated to continue working with Arrow to further develop SAM.

“I’m excited to return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc.,” said Sam Schmidt. “Racing will forever be a passion of mine, and I’m honored by the hard work and dedication of the SAM project team to allow me to continue to carry out that passion from the driver’s seat. I look forward to sharing my story with you all this May.”

Formerly called the Mayors Breakfast, this 500 Festival event was held in downtown Indianapolis for many years. In 2004 it was moved to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its name was changed to Breakfast at the Brickyard to reflect the new location. For more than 60 years, the event has continued the tradition of honoring Indiana’s mayors for their tireless work to improve communities around the state. This year, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett will host more than 70 Hoosier mayors from across the state who will gather to celebrate the month of May in Indiana.

The 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc., attracts race fans, business and civic leaders from all corners of the state. During the event, attendees will enjoy a hearty Hoosier breakfast and hear from Sam Schmidt, as well as IMS and 500 Festival executives, before the announcement of the 500 Festival Queen Scholar. Ticket holders will have the opportunity to drive their car around the famed oval track at IMS (weather permitting) and tour the garages before enjoying the afternoon qualifying session for the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500.

2019 Breakfast at the Brickyard tickets go on sale to the public on Wednesday, March 6. Individual tickets are $75 and corporate tables are $850. If you’re interested in purchasing tickets, you can fill out this form. For more information, visit 500Festival.com/breakfast or you can search #BrickyardBreakfast on social media.

Corporate partners of the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard are: Midwestern Engineers, Inc., Ice Miller, Business Furniture, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, WIBC, The Indianapolis Business Journal, Eufloric Events, and WISH-TV.

Conquer Paralysis Now funds scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technological advances that lead us toward a cure – whether through positive advances or failures that help guide the next effort. Learn more at www.conquerparalysisnow.org.

About the 500 Festival
Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces more than 50 life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500® and foster positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana. One of the largest festivals in the nation, each year more than half a million people attend an event or program produced by the 500 Festival. Since its founding, the 500 Festival has contributed more than $400 million in economic value to Indianapolis. To learn more about the 500 Festival, please visit www.500festival.com, follow us on Twitter @500festival, or on Facebook.

Woodcarver Exhibit at Eagle Creek Park, Mar. 9-10, 2019

Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis, Indiana.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2010, all rights reserved.

By Kylie Money
On behalf of the event organizers

Indianapolis, IN – Eagle Creek Park is hosting the annual Woodcarver, Woodturner & Woodburner Exhibition. The exhibition is on Saturday and Sunday, March 9-10, 2019, from 9 am to 5 pm each day.

This event will showcase Indiana woodworkers and their wide array of artwork depicting beautiful wildlife, flora and fauna and/or traditional Native Americans through the fascinating art of woodcarving, woodturning, and woodburning.

In the past, both artistic and functional wood pieces on display have included Nativity sets, wine stoppers, salt and pepper mills, animal puzzles, fan pulls, lidded boxes, earring and napkin holders, and much more.

Artists will provide insight into their craft through colorful stories and answering questions. They will even provide some demonstrations for their art pieces.

There will be a family activities area with soap carving, decorating tree cookies, a free play area, coloring pages, and a nature’s woodcarver’s station highlighting how native wildlife utilizes wood.

The exhibition will be at the Earth Discovery Center in Eagle Creek Park and is free with park admission. Park admission is $5 per vehicle for county residents, $6 per vehicle for out of county.

Most of the artwork at the exhibit will be for sale, making for some great gifts or wonderful new decorations for your home! The artist entry and 15% of sales will go toward the Eagle Creek Park Foundation. The foundation works to promote, preserve, protect and enhance Eagle Creek Park through the support of the local community and volunteers.

For more information visit www.eaglecreekpark.org.

“Glitz and Glamour” Exhibit at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site @PresBenHarrison

The stately Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis, Indiana.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2019, all rights reserved.

By Angela Tuell
On behalf of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

INDIANAPOLIS (February 11, 2019)– The newest exhibit at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site [1230 North Delaware St., Indianapolis], Glitz & Glamour in the White House, will feature two centuries of fashion, glitz and glam from the Executive Office. The exhibit, opening March 7, 2019, showcases over-the-top gifts, accessories, heartfelt folk art, ostentatious furniture and one-of-a-kind keepsakes surrounding the presidency of the United States.

The gifts received from foreign heads of state are part of the record of American diplomacy. Gifts from American and foreign citizens often expressed either personal warmth or their feelings for the president. Many of these gifts are examples of the finest decorative arts and craftsmanship available around the world. Come explore these artifacts for yourself, from gimmicky apparel to stately pearl-adorned evening gowns, heartfelt folk-art to ostentatious furniture, solid gold commemorative coins to questionable keepsakes.

The Glitz & Glamour exhibit will hold its grand opening on Thursday, March 7 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided at this open house-style event, which will take place in the Welcome Center of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. The event is open to the public. Tickets are available at http://bit.ly/GlitzGrandOpening.

Come see for yourself, from gimmicky apparel to heartfelt folk art and ostentatious furniture to one-of-a-kind keepsakes, You won’t be able to unsee some of these over-the-top accoutrements.

Glitz & Glamour will run through December 31, 2019.

The Presidential Site offers daily guided tours. Tours are on the hour and half-hour, and last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Hours are Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Members may attend for free, and the general public may purchase tickets for $6 per person. Tickets may be reserved at www.presidentbenjaminharrison.org.

For additional details visit http://www.presidentbenjaminharrison.org/visit.

National Maple Syrup Festival Mar. 2-3, 2019 @iluvbrowncounty

The historic Story Inn in Brown County, Indiana.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

By Aubrey Sitzman
Brown County CVB

NASHVILLE, Ind., (February 12, 2019) – Maple mania has struck in Brown County again! After a two-year hiatus, the National Maple Syrup Festival is back! This year’s fun, sticky, and oh-so-sweet festival will be held at the one and only Story Inn on March 2-3, 2019.

Originating in Medora, Indiana in 2010, the festival moved to Brown County in 2015. Geographically, Indiana holds the southern and westernmost position in the United States’ Maple Sugar Belt meaning as winter gives way to spring the sap flows first in Indiana’s maple stands. As Indiana’s most densely forested county, Brown County is an ideal location for the National Maple Syrup Festival as it is rich in natural resources, home to a wide variety of maple trees, and reflects the pioneering essence and history of maple sugar production.

A grand celebration of all things maple, the festival will bring together maple sugar producers and hobbyists, maple syrup connoisseurs, and visitors of all ages for a weekend full of activities and events.

Taking place at the beautiful and historic Story Inn, festival-goers will see first-hand how the magic is made during Native American, early French American, and modern-day sugaring demonstrations. Arts and crafts from Indiana Artisans also will be on display for admiring and purchasing. There will even be dutch oven cooking demos by none other than the Dutch Oven Diva Lesley Tennessen herself and a couple of pals. Recipes will feature maple syrup, of course!

The National Maple Syrup Festival also will include local and regional food vendors, beer, wine, and spirits, including Brown County’s Bear Wallow Distillery who will be debuting a special release maple-finished Gnaw Bone Bourbon. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of maple syrup from Indiana producers for sale too! Festival-goers also will be able to enjoy live music by local musicians Silver Sparrow and Will Scott. Tickets to the main festival grounds are $10 for adults and free for children under 12. Tickets include admission for both days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.browncounty.com/event/national-maple-syrup-festival/all/ or at the festival entrance gate.

No maple syrup festival would be complete without pancakes, which is exactly why Chris Cakes will be serving up delicious hotcakes with a side of entertainment during the festival’s Pancake Breakfasts on March 2 and 3. Dig into all-you-can-eat pancakes with 100% pure maple syrup, sausage, and tasty breakfast beverages from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Story Inn. Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for kids 11 and under. Tickets to pancake breakfasts can only be purchased the day of.

The National Maple Syrup Festival also will include a special Maple-Inspired Dinner at the Story Inn on Saturday, March 2 at 6 p.m. Four delicious, maple-infused courses will be skillfully paired with local brews and spirits for your dining pleasure. Tickets are $65 per person and can be purchased online at www.facebook.com/events/355393145293879/. Must be 21 or older to attend this dinner.

Another fun foodie event will be the Sweet Victory Challenge on Sunday, March 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. A festival tradition, this cooking competition gathers recipes from across the nation featuring maple syrup in breakfast, savory, and sweet categories. Then, the top five recipes from each are picked and prepared in-house at the Story Inn, where they are presented to judges to pick their favorites. The audience will even get to taste-test a few too! The Sweet Victory Challenge is free and open to the public but has limited seating.

While festival headquarters will be buzzing with activity all weekend long, there will be plenty of maple fun going on in the Village of Nashville as well. Check out Sap School at the Visitors Center on Saturday, March 2. Learn the basics of maple syrup from a Brown County producer, then head out for a short walk where you’ll learn how to identify maple trees and even get to see a tree or two get tapped! This event is free and begins at 10 a.m.

There’s also Maple on the Menu too! The whole month of March, some of Brown County’s finest restaurants and snack shops will be serving sweet and savory maple-infused items. Look for dishes and goodies that bring a unique maple twist to classic favorites, as well as truly one-of-a-kind maple creations. Participating restaurants and shops will have “Maple on the Menu” signs in their windows. The full list of Maple on the Menu items will be announced on February 18 at www.browncounty.com/event/maple-on-the-menu/.

There is no doubt about it, there is something sweet happening in Brown County this March. Come see for yourself. It’s guaranteed to be a memorable maple experience!

More information on the National Maple Syrup Festival is available at https://nationalmaplesyrupfestival.com/ or by calling 812-988-2273.