Central Indiana Things to Do - June and July 2023
Dreams of Flight
The National Model Aviation Museum in Muncie traces the history of model aircraft from flyers that predate the Wright brothers to modern jets. Open May through September, the museum is operated by the Academy of Aeronautics, a non-profit community of model aviation enthusiasts. The museum’s Model Aircraft at Work gallery displays the remarkable aircraft that crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 2003 on less than a gallon of fuel. The museum is located on the 1000-acre International Aeromodeling Center, host to events such as rocket launches, the Ansel Tony Memorial Kite Festival, the 100th Anniversary National Model Airplane Championships, MultiGP Drone Racing International, and several warbird fly-ins.
Check museum hours at modelaircraft.org and modelaircraft.org/calendar
The Man Who Made Sneakers Famous
Hoosiers are renowned for our basketball IQ, but even the most knowledgeable fan may not realize that the man who helped make Converse sneakers a ubiquitous fashion statement is one of our own. Born in Columbus, Indiana in 1901, Chuck Taylor played high school and semi-pro basketball before going to work for Converse, where he played on a company team and traveled the United States giving basketball clinics for kids. His feet were always shod in the All Star sneakers that have been linked with his name since the early 1930s. Visit the Chuck Taylor All Star Exhibit at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center and learn how to shoot and pass the Chuck Taylor way.
Visit indianahistory.org
Art on the Fringe
Live theatre can build community, stimulate dialogue and create social change. That may explain why many lovers of social justice save a spot on their calendar for the annual Indy Fringe Theatre Festival. This year the beloved festival engages local audiences with hundreds of performances on several Indianapolis stages. The festival begins August 17 and runs through September 3.
Visit indyfringe.org for ticket information.
Fingerpicking Good
Several of America’s finest guitarists assemble at the Brown County Playhouse on July 28 and 29 for the 12th annual Indiana State Fingerstyle Guitar Festival. The two-day festival in Nashville sends the winning guitarist to an international competition. There’s a kick-off party and an open-mic event on opening night. Along with the competing guitarists, you’ll hear previous winners perform in the style made famous by musicians such as Chet Atkins and Merle Travis.
Visit indianastringfest.com for ticket information.
Urban Shopping Made Fun
Support local businesses, artists and makers at the Indy Urban Market on the grounds of the Indianapolis Arts Center. Gather friends and stroll the outdoor market in search of unique gifts, vintage items, home décor and food on Sunday, August 6. Indy Urban Market has become so popular that it caught the eye of HGTV’s Two Chicks and a Hammer, where it was featured. With a variety of vendors, live music and food trucks at each event, no two market days are the same.
Learn more at the Indy Urban Market Facebook page
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