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May 2016 in Downtown Indianapolis

Indianapolis skyline. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2015, all rights reserved.
By Amanda Dorman
Downtown Indy, Inc.
Wholesale District Beautification Day
Community members are coming together for a morning of partnership, productivity and fun as district employees participate in the ninth annual Wholesale District Beautification Day Monday, May 2. More than 200 volunteers will create a clean, pedestrian-friendly environment for the district’s sidewalks, store fronts and businesses. Tasks include sweeping the sidewalks and curbs, removing stickers, painting over graffiti and picking up litter.
100th Running HandleBar Hot Lap on Monument Circle
In the spirit of the 100th Running of the Indy 500, HandleBar, Downtown Indy, Inc. and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are hosting the 100th Running HandleBar Hot Lap on Monument Circle Friday, May 6 at 11:30 a.m. Races include one-on-one laps around Monument Circle with pit stops and vehicle tweaks. The races will be structured into a 24-team single elimination bracket, narrowing down Indy’s best, culminating in a championship race between the top two teams. Businesses are invited to register a team (10 participants) online for $100/team.
Georgia Street comes to life with Downtown Indy, Inc.’s Summer Series
Downtown Indy, Inc. has again partnered with local fitness studios for Workout Wednesday – fun, all-levels group fitness sessions on the Boardwalk. Hip Hop on Georgia Street in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis begins May 4 and reoccurs weekly from noon – 12:45 p.m. Each workout will begin with a local personality/celebrity for the warm-up. The celebrity will be announced each week via Twitter (@GeorgiaStIndy). A new addition to Workout Wednesday this year will be Sunrise Yoga on the Canal in partnership with Invoke Studio. Sunrise Yoga begins June 1 and takes place weekly on the Vermont Street Plaza from 6 – 6:45 a.m.
Happy Hour Thursdays return to the Boardwalk beginning May 5.
Georgia Street’s center block will turn into a work respite from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. every Thursday. Listen to music from live DJs, relax with friends and order appetizers and drinks from the Boardwalk Bar staffed by the Omni Severin Bar. There’s no cover charge, but all attendees must be 21 and older.
Downtown workers can also enjoy ongoing Food Truck Fridays.
Eat lunch alfresco on the Georgia Street Boardwalk and enjoy the sights and sounds of Downtown during weekly from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
May means 500 Festival events
Race fans are invited to Rock-IN-Roar 500 – a music festival and community celebration on Georgia Street that officially “drops the green flag” on Race Week in Indianapolis. On May 20 from 5 – 10:30 p.m., 500 local musicians, led by John Mellencamp keyboardist Troye Kinnett and IndyCar driver Will Power, join together to perform One Republic’s “Love Runs Out” in a musical tribute to the spirit of the 100th Indy 500. Attendees can witness SPECTACLE: Sights & Sounds of the Indy 500 on Georgia Street, featuring a unique light show with some of the most memorable radio calls from the past 100 years. Following this FREE Rock-IN-Roar 500, SPECTACLE will run at 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. May 21 – 29.
The 40th OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon takes off Saturday, May 7 at 7:30 a.m. The course begins at the intersection of Washington and West streets, heads west to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and does a complete lap around the 2.5 mile track before heading back down New York Street. In addition to the Mini, kids ages 3 – 10 can participate in the non-competitive Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run May 14 at 10:30 a.m. After the Mini, head to Military Park for the FREE 500 Festival Post Race Party.
The 60th IPL 500 Festival Parade kicks off at noon May 28 at noon. About 300,000 spectators from around the country will line the streets of Indianapolis for one of the nation’s premier parades. The month-long roster of events culminates with the 100th running of the Indy 500 on May 29 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Original Farmers’ Market returns May 4
Downtown’s Original Farmers’ Market returns to Indianapolis City Market on May 4 and continues every Wednesday through October. The market is open from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Market Street between Delaware and Alabama Streets. Market Street will be closed each Wednesday during this time.
Bring Mom Downtown on Mother’s Day
Downtown attractions and restaurants will make Mother’s Day extra special. Visit Mother’s Day Weekend at the Indianapolis Zoo May 7 and 8 and enjoy a Zoo-wide scavenger hunt, photo stations, free treats and more. Attend Mother’s Day at the IRT on May 8 and enjoy brunch at noon followed by a performance of The Mousetrap at 2 p.m. Georgia Reese’s is offering a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet all day from 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Hot happenings at Downtown attractions
Mini Golf that combines original art and playful competition is coming to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The much anticipated Artist Designed Mini Golf opens to the public May 10. The course features 18 holes designed by local and regional artists and in honor of Indiana’s Bicentennial, each hole is inspired by Indiana history and landmarks. Tickets are FREE for IMA members and included in regular admission for non-members.
Easley Winery’s outdoor music series Groovin’ in the Garden kicks off on May 21 and runs through September. Enjoy daily wine specials and live music in a relaxing environment every Saturday from 2 – 5 p.m. This series is FREE.
Indiana Historical Society’s Concerts on the Canal return on May 26 and take place every Thursday night from 6 – 8 p.m. through July 28. The 2016 Concerts on the Canal series features a spectacular lineup of entertainers including Shannon Forsell, Flying Toasters, Funk Quarter and The Bishops. Seating is FREE on the grassy hill across the Canal or reserve a table on the terrace for extra.
Cheer on your favorite teams
Catch one (or more) of the 16 Indianapolis Indians home games at Victory Field this month. Enjoy monthly promos including 2-for-1 Tuesdays, Thursday Craft Beer Night, Friday Fireworks and Kid’s Eat Free Sundays. On May 3, share your favorite game with your pup: Bark in the Park allows dogs and their owners a chance to enjoy the game from the right field lawn. There are two chances to catch the Indy Eleven at home: May 7 and May 21.
For more information, call 317-237-2222.
Binford Farmers Market Announces Name Change

At a recent farmers market at The Market at Hague. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.
By Kas Vargo
The Market at Hague
Binford Redevelopment and Growth, Inc. (BRAG), is pleased to announce a name change for the Binford Farmers Market to “The Market at Hague.”
The market is in its ninth year and makes its permanent home at Lawrence North High School, 7800 N. Hague Rd, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is held from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturdays, May through October.
The Market at Hague provides a connection to over 80 vendors with deep roots in Indiana, including farms, nurseries, bakeries, wineries, meat vendors, cheese makers, specialty food products and artisan crafts.
The Market at Hague is an initiative of Binford Redevelopment and Growth, Inc (BRAG.) By bringing together Indiana food and craft artisans, musicians, and area businesses and non-profits at the Market at Hague, BRAG creates a vibrant community gathering offering local, fresh food, support for local businesses, and cultural and ethnic educational opportunities.
The first Saturday of each month Recycle Force will be on hand to accept electronic waste and all household recycling materials, including plastic, aluminum, paper and cardboard, and bikes and bicycle accessories.
The second Saturday of each month fine artists and craftsmen come to the market with their handmade wares for personal and household use.
The Market at Hague is pleased to continue accepting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Cards at the market. SNAP recipients may bring their Hoosier Works cards (EBT) cards to the farmers market home tent and obtain tokens which may be used to purchase fresh, local vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meat products, honey, preserves, baked goods, plants used to produce food at home and much more.
Market shoppers can receive updates from the market by subscribing online (http://marketathague.com/) to the weekly email newsletter featuring seasonal availability, vendor updates, promotions, recipes, upcoming music and other events in the BRAG area.
For up-to-date information on vendors and other market events, shoppers can visit the Market at Hague Web site or call Kahfii King, Market Manager, at 773-505-0851. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter!
Things to do in Indianapolis, May 19-25, 2014

Snakepit Ball at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, May 24.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2013, all rights reserved.
15 Public Events in Indianapolis and Indiana
VERIFY ALL EVENT LISTINGS TO BE CERTAIN THEY WILL BE HELD AS SCHEDULED
- SUN: 98th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- SAT: 58th Annual IPL 500 Festival Parade in Downtown Indianapolis
- TUE: Indiana Pacers NBA Playoffs Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- SAT: KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball at the Indiana Roof Ballroom
- MON: Spotlight 2014 at Clowes Memorial Hall
- THU: Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
- WED-SUN: 31st Annual Banks of the Wabash Festival in Terre Haute
- WED: 500 Festival Community Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- WED: 34th Annual Zoopolis 500 at the Indianapolis Zoo
- THU: Statehouse Market at the Indiana State Capitol Building
- THU: Rev Rally in Brownsburg
- SAT-SUN: 38th Annual Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous in Knox County
- SAT: 69th Annual Visit Hendricks County ‘Night Before the 500’ at Lucas Oil Raceway
- FRI: Indiana Fever WNBA Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- FRI: 500 Festival Memorial Service on Monument Circle
For more information about thousands of upcoming events and things to do in Indianapolis and Indiana, visit our main Web site at http://aroundindy.com/, or go mobile at http://aroundindy.com/mobile. Thank you for using AroundIndy.com as your source for Indy events!
Things to do in Indianapolis, Apr 28-May 4, 2014

ABOVE: Orchard in Bloom Garden Show at Holliday Park, May 2-4.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2010, all rights reserved.
15 Public Events in Indianapolis and Indiana
VERIFY ALL EVENT LISTINGS TO BE CERTAIN THEY WILL BE HELD AS SCHEDULED
- FRI-SUN: 25th Annual ‘Orchard in Bloom’ Garden Show at Holliday Park
- FRI: First Friday Food Truck Festival at the Old National Centre
- TUE-SUN: 2014 Decorator’s Show House and Gardens in Indianapolis
- FRI: Yelp Indy’s ‘Bold and Beautiful’ Event at Artistry Apartments
- MON-SAT: Orleans Dogwood Festival in Orange County
- MON: Indiana Pacers NBA Playoff Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- FRI-SAT: Highway 38 Yard Sale in Central Indiana
- FRI-SAT: Shipshewana MayFest in LaGrange County
- FRI: IDADA First Friday Art Tour in Downtown Indianapolis
- SAT: Broad Ripple Farmers Market at Broad Ripple High School
- SAT: Indiana Latino Expo at the State Fairgrounds
- SAT: Riley Wrangler’s 30th Annual Arts and Crafts Fair in Greenfield
- MON-TUE: Indianapolis Indians Baseball at Victory Field
- THU-SUN: Big Ten Men’s Golf Championship at French Lick Resort
- FRI: Haste the Day at the Old National Centre
To see thousands of upcoming event listings and things to do in Indianapolis and Indiana, visit our main Web site at http://aroundindy.com/, or go mobile at http://aroundindy.com/mobile.
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