Indy's Child September 2023

ZAIRE FRANKLIN: TACKLING

TACKLING FAMILY LIFE

FAMILY LIFE

HOW THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS LINEBACKER + FATHER BALANCES LIFE ON AND OFF THE FIELD

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TIPS FOR AFFORDING PRIVATE SCHOOL

Adventure Awaits

We’re just a month into the school year, and I’m already thinking about fall break plans. How can that be? Wasn’t I just saying how much I love backto-school time — and by extension, my children going back to school?

Yes, I was. And I still do.

But do you ever find yourself looking at photos of your children on your phone after they’ve gone to bed? And as you scroll through the photos, you smile while remembering the fun times you had? That was me a week ago. Even though it had been a long day, and I was relishing the time I had to myself while my kids were asleep in their rooms, I found myself scrolling through the photos on my phone, and remembering all of the fun we had during the summer. We had so much fun.

It made me think about fall break, and what fun adventures we might have awaiting us. We get a whole week off for fall break this year! Let the planning begin.

If you’re looking for somewhere to explore this fall break, we have some great ideas. Turn to “Fall Break Getaways” on page 15 for destinations that are just right: far enough away to feel like you’re getting out of town, but not so far that you’re spending your precious time traveling. There are ideas for everyone — from train lovers to thrill seekers to nature lovers and more. They’re all places to make great memories… and take photos that you’ll be scrolling through and reminiscing about soon enough!

Have a great September,

FOUNDING PUBLISHER

Barbara Wynne barbara@indyschild.com

PUBLISHER + SALES

Mary Wynne Cox mary@indyschild.com

EDITOR Nicole Sipe nicolesipe@indyschild.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER + SALES Becca Reynolds becca@indyschild.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Katie Clark katie@indyschild.com

DIGITAL PUBLISHER + EVENTS

Wendy Hasser wendy@indyschild.com

ADMINISTRATION

Emily Kirchmann emily@indyschild.com

BILLING billing@indyschild.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Allison Graber, Laurel Price, Jennifer Thompson

CALENDAR OF EVENTS calendar@ indyschild.com

Indy's Child is published monthly. Copyright 2023 by Midwest Parenting Publications, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of products, commentary or services herein.

INDY'S children

WE LOVE SEEING YOUR PHOTOS OF INDY KIDS LIVING THEIR BEST LIVES! HERE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVORITE SUBMISSIONS WE RECEIVED THIS MONTH.

Want to see your cute kids on this page?

We're looking for photos of cute kids for the October issue of Indy's Child!

Email your photos (with the first name and age of the child) to editor@indyschild.com, and your photos might appear here!

Hannah (2)

Olive (9 mos)

Zeno (6)

Dilara (5) and Mason (5) Arthur (22 mos)

David (2)

Michael and Caroline (6)

Colette (4)

Noah (8)

NEWS & Notes

Our monthly roundup of news you can use

Did You Know?

47th Annual Nappanee Apple Festival

Ready to taste a slice of Indiana's largest 7-foot baked apple pie? Then celebrate pies and all-things apples this season at the 47th annual Nappanee Apple Festival, happening September 14-17 in downtown Nappanee. The family-friendly event will include activities for all ages, rides, shopping, live music, live entertainment and more. Make plans to visit one of the largest festivals in the state of Indiana!

Learn more at nappaneeapplefestival.org

Indianapolis Indians Fan Appreciation Weekend

Calling all baseball fans! Help the Indianapolis Indians cap the end of their 2023 season in grand fashion during Fan Appreciation Weekend, happening on Friday, September 22 through Sunday, September 24. The Indians are celebrating the best fans in baseball all weekend long with firework shows on Friday and Saturday, plus kids ages 14 and younger eat free on Sunday. Victory Field is the place to be all weekend long!

To purchase tickets online, visit milb.com/indianapolis/ tickets/fan-appreciation

45,000 THAT’S THE NUMBER OF WORDS A TYPICAL PENCIL CAN WRITE BEFORE IT RUNS OUT.

School buses have been around since 1914, but the standard yellow color for all school buses wasn’t adopted until 1939.

Library StoryWalks

Research shows that reading aloud to young children can significantly improve their chance for success in kindergarten and beyond. One fun way to help kids enjoy books and stories is by visiting one of the many StoryWalks throughout Indianapolis. Typically set up by local libraries and parks departments, each page of a children’s storybook on a StoryWalk has been placed in mounted frames along a path. As you make your way down the path, kids are encouraged to read, exercise and enjoy the outdoors, all in one activity.

The concept of StoryWalks dates back to the early 1990s when a woman named Anne Ferguson and a group of book enthusiasts in Montpelier, Vermont, came up with an idea to combine the joy of reading with the beauty of nature. They wanted to create an interactive experience where children and families could engage with picture books in an outdoor setting. Now, their idea has blossomed into a global movement, and there are StoryWalks

in parks and community spaces worldwide.

StoryWalks are a great way to read to kids who have a hard time sitting still. With a StoryWalk, Kids are encouraged to jump, skip and move as they read. This multi-sensory activity encourages physical activity while learning.

There are many StoryWalks throughout Indianapolis and beyond. Here are a few to check out with your family!

StoryWalks Around Indianapolis

Ruckle Street Park

3025 Ruckle St., Indianapolis

Newfields 100 Acres

1850 W 38th St. Indianapolis

Multiple Parks in Fishers playfishers.com/333/StoryWalk

Multiple Parks in Carmel carmelclaylibrary.org

Old School Park 6030W. 750N., McCordsville

Navigating conversations about faith, belief, and spirituality with your kids

Talking about faith, spirituality and religion with young children can be a challenging task. Moreover, it can be difficult to determine the age at which your child starts comprehending religious concepts.

“Young children are just beginning to make sense of their world and it’s critical to highlight differences and diversities in our communities to help them develop a respectful and inclusive view on people and places around the world,” says Elyse Handel, early childhood educator, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “During their early years, children notice similarities and differences with people around them. There are ways to support their natural curiosity in developmentally appropriate ways.”

Consider these tips to help encourage their curiosity:

Involve them in celebrations: Observe and participate in religious celebrations together as a family or community. This can give kids a firsthand experience of the traditions. Many religious communities have gatherings, events, or social service activities (an example: Festival of Faiths September 10, 2023, at University Park in Indianapolis).

Be open to their questions: Even if your adult beliefs and practices are well formed and seated in a particular tradition, try to see their questions through fresh eyes.

Learn together: If you are not well-versed in a particular religion(s), take the opportunity to learn alongside your child. This can be a bonding experience and promotes an open learning environment.

Use multimedia resources: Utilize age-appropriate books, videos, and documentaries to present various religious beliefs and practices in an engaging manner.

Explore historical context: Discuss the historical events or stories associated with religions. This can provide a broader understanding of their significance.

Explain the concept of sacredness: Introduce the idea that some places hold special significance for people because of their religious, historical, or cultural importance. Discuss why certain locations are considered sacred. This exposure promotes cultural awareness and helps them appreciate the diversity in the world.

Sacred Places Exhibit Opens

September 7, 2023

The new exhibit coming to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Sacred Places, will help families explore religious and spiritual concepts and ideas through the personal stories of real young people. This exhibit is designed to provide a welcoming and respectful atmosphere where families can delve into these subjects together, gain insights into the beliefs of others, and discuss their own perspectives on faith and religion.

Acting as photojournalists, interpretive staff at the museum will utilize captivating imagery and objects to facilitate conversations that connect families to the sacred places in the exhibit. Families can take part in daily programs, as well, to gain a deeper understanding of how people experience these sites and forge personal and tangible connections.

More than 25 sacred places are featured, including: Patan Durbar Square in Nepal (Hinduism), Wat Arun in Thailand (Buddhism), Rapa Nui, also known by some as Easter Island (indigenous spiritual practices), St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madaba, Jordan (Christianity), The Great Mosque in Djenné, The Republic of Mali (Islam), and Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, in Curaçao (Judaism).

As you prepare to visit this immersive experience, it’s important to think about your child’s prior knowledge or experiences. “It will be important for them to make personal connections between the exhibit’s stories, artifacts, and featured people and places,” says Handel. “Talk about your own family’s sacred place or what a sacred item in your household is. What is a sacred ritual or tradition in your family?”

The exhibit’s grand opening will be held on September 7, 2023, from 4-8 p.m. during $6 admission First Thursday. The exhibit will close on April 7, 2024. The exhibit is made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment’s Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative, which to-date has awarded grants totaling more than $84 million to 34 cultural institutions across the country to strengthen their capacities to fairly and accurately portray the role of religion in the U.S. and around the world.

To purchase tickets and for more information regarding Sacred Places, visit childrensmuseum.org/ exhibits/sacred-places

family-friendly

EMBRACE THE MAGIC OF FALL IN INDIANA WITH OUTDOOR AUTUMN ACTIVITIES.

Hop Aboard a Hayride

a

s the leaves turn vibrant colors and the crisp fall air sets in, it's time to celebrate all-things autumn in Indianapolis. Fall is the perfect time to create memories by visiting some of the places around town that lean into the magic of this enchanting season. Here are some ideas for fall experiences that will put your family in a cozy autumn mood!

Enjoy the Changing Leaves During a Nature Hike

There’s no better way to admire the beauty of the season than with a family hike. Explore Marott Park or Holliday Park, both known for their tranquil woods. Eagle Creek Park on the west side offers miles of trails through stunning wooded areas and along the lake shore. Fort Harrison State Park on the east side is a nature lover's paradise with its rolling hills and meandering creeks. And Central Park in Carmel is known for its smooth trails that are perfect for strollers and young children.

Find a Fall Festival

There are lots of festivals happening this fall. Check out our calendar on page 41 to discover some of the can’t-miss festivals this month!

Get Lost in a Corn Maze

A-maze-ing adventures await you this fall. Get a little corny in Fortville's Piney Acres corn maze, spanning a whopping 8 acres. Once you've conquered the maze at Conner Prairie, prepare to take your experience to new heights – literally! Hitch a ride on the 1859 Balloon Voyage and soar above to see the stunning, decorated cornfield from high above. On the east side, Waterman’s Family Farms invites you to set off on a half-mile walk through their picturesque cornfield. If you’re up for a road trip, head north to Exploration Acres in Lafayette, the largest corn maze in Northwest Indiana at 18 acres, with 10 miles of paths and four different corn mazes all on one farm.

Hayrides and fall go hand in hand. At Conner Prairie, every Thursday through Sunday from October 5-29, take a haunted and historical ride on the Headless Horseman Hayride and prepare for a hauntingly unforgettable experience. On the west side, Hogan Family Farms in Brownsburg offers hayrides every Friday-Sunday in October. On the north side, visit Kelsay Farms in Whiteland for hayrides and other fall fun.

Pick a Perfect Gourd at a Pumpkin Patch

No matter where you’re located in Indy, you can find a place to pick the perfect pumpkin, including Dull’s Tree Farm and Pumpkin Harvest in Thorntown, Tuttle Orchards in Greenfield, Stuckey Farm in Sheridan, Spencer Farm in Noblesville and many others!

Relax During a Scenic Train Ride

Indiana is gorgeous in the fall, and one of the best ways to see the fall foliage is on a train. Nickel Plate Express departs from Atlanta, Indiana, and offers themed train rides for families, and dinner rides for adults. Don’t miss the Arcadia Fall Market Express this year, where you can take a train ride to a small-town market. And if you’re up for a road trip, French Lick Scenic Railway begins offering scenic train rides in September through late October, and will take you on a ride through the hills of Southern Indiana and the Hoosier National Forest.

Savor the Fruits of the Season at an Apple Orchard

It’s apple season! At Beasley’s Orchard in Danville, you’ll find 25 different varieties of apples in their farm store, and a host of family fall activities every day from September 16 through October 31. Anderson Orchard in Mooresville is ripe for the picking in the fall, and their annual Apple Festival and Craft Fair on September 30 is an area favorite. In the mood for a fall road trip? The Apple Works in Trafalgar is worth the drive.

Embrace the beauty of fall and make the most of this enchanting season!

Fall Break Getaways

Fall break is the perfect time to pack your bags, hit the road and create memories with your loved ones. Whether you're seeking an outdoor adventure or a place to unwind and enjoy the season as a family, here are four destinations to consider for fall break!

VISIT A NEW-TO-YOU CITY

Fort Wayne, Indiana

This season is one of the best times to visit Fort Wayne. Families looking for a fall-break getaway will find it all here, including beautiful foliage along the riverfront and trails, and lots of events and activities happening throughout the city.

The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is celebrating the fall season with spooktacular activities during Wild Zoo Halloween, including spooky animal enrichments, a mystery maze, treats and more. Costumes are also welcome!

On the third weekend of September, Fort Wayne celebrates its apple heritage and connection to Johnny Appleseed (who is buried along the St. Joseph riverbank) with an annual period-authentic festival. Featuring all-things apple, visitors can bite into an apple fritter or caramel apple while enjoying the roving entertainment and reenactments, browse the farmers market, and

stop by Chapman's gravesite, where you can pay tribute by leaving an apple.

Every October, downtown Fort Wayne turns into a destination for frightening and spooktacular fun with Fright Night, featuring fireside tales, ghost tours and the

annual Zombie Walk. On October 21, ghosts, goblins and zombies take over the streets of Fort Wayne with the 14th annual Fright Night — a thrilling day of family-friendly festivities, including garden trick or treats, live music, and the annual parade of zombies, where around 10,000 zombies parade through the streets of downtown Fort Wayne.

GO CAMPING

S&H Campground

Greenfield, Indiana

Autumn is a great time to go camping for fall break. S&H Campground in Greenfield offers a range of activities and amenities that make it an ideal choice for families seeking a fun and relaxing camping trip.

This campground has accommodations for all camping styles, including cozy cabins, spots to park a camper or RV, and primitive tent sites, plus a range of onsite family activities.

Kids will love the multiple playgrounds at the campground, as well as activities like fishing, putt-putt golf (both indoor and outdoor), arcade, volleyball, garden games and more. On weekends through November, families can also enjoy the campground’s Family Fun Park, which has an inflatable playground, giant slide, bungee trampoline, trackless train and more.

Make this fall break one to remember!

Tent sites are located among mature trees, and the cabins come with many of the comforts of home. The spacious RV sites have full hookups, offering everything you need for a great family vacation.

FIND THRILLS AND CHILLS AT AN AMUSEMENT PARK

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari

Santa Claus, Indiana

If you’re looking to add some adrenaline to your fall break, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is the place to be. Located in southern Indiana, this amusement park has rides for all ages, including roller coasters for thrill seekers.

One of the highlights of visiting Holiday World during fall break is their festive Halloween activities, known as Happy Halloween Weekends. From September 23 through October 29, visitors are greeted by charming decorations, cheerful scarecrows and friendly costumed characters in a delightfully spooky atmosphere. Kids can explore Holidog's 3D Halloween Adventure, an interactive walk-through experience that combines fun and scares in just the right balance for little ones. Families can also enjoy live entertainment, Halloweenthemed shows and trick-or-treating for kids 12 and younger.

Holiday World's world-class roller coasters can’t be beat. Whether speeding through the twists and turns of The Voyage, feeling weightless on Thunderbird, or trying one of the mini coasters for tiny tots, there's an adventure for everyone, big or small.

EXPLORE A NATIONAL PARK

Indiana Dunes National Park

Chesterton, Indiana

Who said the beach is only for summertime? Indiana Dunes National Park is also a must-visit destination during the fall — with the major bonus of avoiding the summer crowds during fall break. Located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan in northern Indiana, Indiana Dunes is one of the only areas in the state where you can experience towering sand dunes and 15 miles of beaches.

Families can also take part in one of the park's ranger-led programs and interpretive exhibits at the Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center. At the center, you can learn about the history of the area, the unique ecosystems that call the dunes home, and the importance of conservation.

For outdoorsy folks, Indiana Dunes National Park has plenty to offer. Hike through the sandy trails, or try your hand at birdwatching and spot some of the over 350 species that inhabit the park. Bring your bikes and explore the park's scenic trails, or pack a picnic and enjoy a leisurely lunch surrounded by the park’s natural beauty. The park also offers opportunities for fishing, kayaking and even horseback riding.

RELAX AT A RESORT

French Lick Resort

French Lick, Indiana

Put the “break” in fall break by heading to a nearby resort that offers equal parts relaxation and entertainment. Nestled in the heart of the Hoosier National Forest, French Lick Resort is home to two historic hotels, three golf courses, two spas, indoor and outdoor pools and a Vegas-style casino. Activities range from horseback riding to bowling to surrey bike rentals, and there are tons of hiking trails to explore the grounds. Best of all, KidsFest Lodge offers supervised entertainment for the kiddos while mom and dad hit the spa (or the casino!).

One way to enjoy the beauty of the resort during the fall is by going on one of the seasonal hikes or morning walks that are offered free of charge to hotel guests. Start at West Baden Springs Hotel and meander through the woods, enjoying the changing leaves and brisk air. The hiking trail ends at the French Lick Resort horse stables, where you can book a horseback ride or even a tour of the stables.

SPEND THE DAY ON A TRAIN

Whitewater Valley Railroad

Connersville, Indiana

Whitewater Valley Railroad dates back to 1867 and offers regularly scheduled excursions throughout the year. Fall break is a great time to catch a ride, because Whitewater offers special rides during the autumn season.

The Fall Foliage Flyer is a five-hour round-trip excursion through the scenic Whitewater Valley with a two-hour layover in historic Metamora. This train departs from Connersville's Grand Central Station on Thursdays and Fridays in October.

Also in the fall, Whitewater is offering a train ride to Metamora, for the Metamora Canal Days Festival. On Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8, hop aboard this seven-hour round-trip excursion through the scenic Whitewater Valley with a four-hour layover in historic Metamora. Departure is from Connersville's Grand Central Station. It’s a good way to enjoy the Metamora Canal Days Festival without worrying about parking!

2023 Fall Consignment and Resale Guide

It’s fall consignment season!

Looking to snag some great deals on children’s clothing, toys and all-things kid and baby? Then check out these local offerings happening all around greater Indianapolis.

Indy Kids Sale

Dates: September 13-16

Location: Finch Creek Fieldhouse, 16289 Boden Rd., Noblesville

More info: indykidssale.com

Whale of a Sale

Dates: September 14-17

Location: Grand Park Events Center, 19000 Grand Park Blvd., Westfield

More info: whale-sale.com

Here We Grow AgainIndy South

Dates: September 28-30

Location: Johnson County Fairgrounds, 250 Fairgrounds Dr., Franklin

More info: herewegrowagain.com/ indysouth

Here We Grow AgainIndy West

Dates: October 4-7

Location: Hendricks County Fairgrounds, 1900 E. Main, Danville

More info: herewegrowagain.com/ indywest

Here We Grow AgainIndy North

Dates: October 19-21

Location: Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1300 E. 100 S., Lebanon

More info: herewegrowagain.com/ indynorth

If you can’t make it to one of the mega-sales this spring, then check out these consignment stores that buy and sell children’s clothing and goods all year round.

Kids Go Round

2481 E. Main St., Plainfield kidsgoround.net

Kids Kloset

3115 Meridian Parke Dr. # R, Greenwood kidsklosetgreenwood.com

Once Upon a Child

Carmel: 1950 E. Greyhound Pass

Village Park Plaza, Ste. 13

Greenwood: 7409 South US 31

Indianapolis: 7325 E. 96th St., Ste. B

Indianapolis: 1210 W. 86th St.

Indianapolis: 9395 E Washington St.

Indianapolis: 7427 West 10th St. onceuponachild.com

Plato’s Closet

(Tween and teen clothing)

Avon: 9782 E. US Highway 36

Fishers: 8680 E. 96th St.

Greenwood: 7775 South US 31

Indianapolis: 9391 E. Washington St. Platoscloset.com

Play It Again Sports

(Sports equipment)

Carmel: 2332 E. 116th St.

Fishers: 11681 Olio Rd.

Indianapolis: 8923 S. Meridian St.

Top Tips for Shopping at a Consignment Sale

Heading to a consignment sale? These ideas will help make your shopping experience a breeze!

Create a Shopping List

Like any shopping trip, you’ll do best with a list that’s organized and lays out your game plan. Consignment sales typically carry items that are in season, so take inventory of what your kids need for the coming season and start there.

Sign Up for Savings

Some consignment sales have special offers, contests or even coupons. Check out the sale’s website, sign up to the email list or follow them on social media.

Check Sizes

Sizes vary by label, so it’s best to know your brands and their sizing before you shop. Make notes on your shopping list to keep the information fresh.

Review Your Items

Purchase the Pre-sale Pass

It seems counterintuitive: Why BUY a pass if you’re trying to SAVE? But you’ll find the best selection at the pre-sale. Consignment events have started opening up their pre-sales to paid passholders, which were previously designated only for sale volunteers or consignors. If you’re in search of a rare item or popular clothing size, the pre-sale is the way to go.

Leave the Kids at Home

If possible, leave the kids with a sitter, friend or grandparent. Focus on your shopping plan and escape without grabbing extra unneeded items.

Give Yourself Time

Never expect to go into a consignment sale with only 15 minutes to shop. There will be a line, a huge selection to look through and it will require time. So be patient and commit yourself to finding the best deals for you with time on your side.

Consignment sales are only for a limited time, so purchases are usually final sale. Most sales offer sorting tables or quiet corners for shoppers to inspect possible purchases. Take advantage of them! The last thing you want is to get home and realize there’s a flaw or issue.

Visit on Discount Days

Consignment sales offer deep discounts on the final day. This means extra savings for you and inventory off their floor. Look for half-price days, or some sales who offer a staggered discount as the last day wears on: 50% off in the morning, 60% around noon and up to 70% in the final hours. Check the individual sale websites for details.

Consider Consigning

Many sales allow first pick to consignors. So why not become one? Other perks include advanced notice on future events, referral bonuses and making money on your sales!

Fall Programs at Indy Parks

This fall, Indy Parks is offering more than 2,400 programs across the city that are free or come at a low cost to individuals and families. Here are just a fraction of the offerings for youth that are coming up this season!

Aquatics

Although summer might be over and outdoor pools are closed, Indy Parks has two indoor pools that are open year-round! Thatcher Park Pool and Indy Island Aquatic Center both offer openswim times and swim lessons.

Arts & Enrichment

Youth can join in several STEM camps this fall and winter at Broad Ripple Park that include topics such as astrology, meteorology, geology and more. Also at Broad Ripple Park, teens can learn how to sew with the DIY Teen Sewing program.

Environmental Education & Outdoor Adventure

Fall is arguably one of the best seasons to venture outdoors and learn about nature at the same time. Little ones will enjoy Garden Storytime and Jungle Tales

at the Garfield Park Conservatory; Hike and Seek, Books and Boots, Falcon Fridays and more at Eagle Creek Park; Little Gardeners at Broad Ripple Park; and more. As a family, head to Holliday Park for Friday Night Campfires with a different theme each time. And don’t forget about hayrides at Southeastway and Eagle Creek Parks, which are now taking reservations.

Health, Wellness and Fitness

For the little ones, join in on the Amazing Athlete Tots or Jump Bunch programs at Broad Ripple Park. Families can join the Walk with a Doc or Dietitian on the Greenways program — a great way to get free healthcare advice from health professionals.

Indy Parks is looking forward to welcoming you into its 214 parks this season, whether through a program, a hike, a picnic or a playground visit. All programs are now open for registration, so secure your spot while you can at indyparks.org

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

WORDS

Tackling Family Life

How Indianapolis

father Zaire Franklin

Zaire Franklin, a linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts, exudes big-brother vibes both on and off the field. He passionately guides new players to the franchise, warmly welcomes young fans with his open and giving approach, and provides hands-on guidance to young women through his foundation, Shelice's Angels.

All of his mentorship experiences prepared Franklin to become a dad in 2022, when he and his wife, Khandice, welcomed their son, Kairo, into the world.

Franklin credits much of his professional success to mentorship he received. Today, he pays that back. “When I see young people in situations I was in, I just want to give them a helping hand,” Franklin says. “I don’t want it to be as hard for them as it was for me.” Franklin’s philosophy of relying on community and paying it forward extends beyond the football field to his parenting style.

Colts linebacker and

balances life on and off the field.

BY LAUREL PRICE

Both Franklin and Khandice are from the East Coast — these college sweethearts met at Syracuse University — and don’t have family members here in the Midwest. They credit the Colts community with helping them as they began their parenting adventure. Khandice has found the Colts family to be a safe space to share parenting challenges and seek advice and guidance from parents in similar situations.

Franklin also recognizes the Colts players in preparing him for fatherhood. They guided Franklin on how to balance the NFL and family, but also offered helpful tips on supporting Khandice through her pregnancy, and how to be present at home. “When I get home, they [Khandice and Kairo] want to see me,” Franklin says. “They don’t want to see the issue that the team has going on. I have to put that aside for them.”

Khandice and Franklin set up some family nonnegotiables to keep them connected and grounded through their extraordinary life experiences. They prioritize family dinners and prayer time. “Kairo loves to pray — he thinks it’s so funny, for some reason,” Franklin says.

Franklin’s dedication as a parent stems from the loving home environment he remembers as a child.

Raised by his mother and grandmother, Franklin saw firsthand the sacrifices and support a parent can give to a child, and credits those

gifts with much of his success. “Obviously they loved me unconditionally and believed in me relentlessly,” Franklin says. Sadly, both his mother and grandmother passed away within a few months of one another when Franklin was just a teenager. Ten years later, he is still honoring them.

Today, Franklin feels a sense of duty to pass on the lessons he learned as a child to Kairo. “[My mother and grandmother]taught me to dream without limits,

and for me, it’s just trying to give him that same inspiration,” he says. “It’s taking the different things they gave to me and pouring it into Kairo.”

Whenever they can, the Franklins travel back to visit their friends and family on the East Coast. They rely on these important moments with family to help them remain centered. “I think that’s something that you underestimate in this football life,” Franklin says. “Yes, you have a lot of resources that you didn’t have before. But sometimes it’s that family, that village that made you who you

were, that you can lean on when you need it.”

When they’re back in Indianapolis, the Franklins love going to Indiana Pacers games, visiting the Indiana State Fair, petting the elephants at the Indianapolis Zoo, spending time in downtown Carmel, and cheering on the Colts.

Raising a Colts fan might be second nature for them, but Franklin still says it all comes back to family time. “When I was younger, we couldn’t afford to go to Eagles games, but we were tuned-in as a family, every Sunday, following along,” he says.

Kairo went to his first Indianapolis Colts game last fall, and Khandice is looking forward to bringing him to more this year. “If I can point out Daddy, he gets excited about the games,” Khandice says. And if Franklin’s adoration of his son is any indication, we know Dad will be making some tackles just to impress his “little man.”

Balancing the Cost of Private School

Smart strategies to help you afford private school on a budget.

We all want what’s best for our children, especially when it comes to education. Private school is one option that parents might consider — one that comes with many plusses, but can also include a big price tag. You might think that private school is out of reach for your budget, but think again. Tuition ranges widely among private schools, and there are a surprising number of ways to make private school a reality, including through scholarships, tax programs, grants and more.

If you’re considering private school, here are some practical options for fitting it into your family’s budget.

The Benefits of Private Education

But first, the big question: Why private school, when there are other (often free) options? Private schools offer a unique and enriching environment, and often prioritize individual attention, academic excellence, and character development. Many times, private schools have smaller class sizes, allowing each student to receive personalized attention, which in turn allows educators to tailor instruction to a student’s needs, talents and interests.

Many private schools go beyond academics and foster a well-rounded education. Some offer specialized programs, such as STEM, performing arts, foreign language immersion or outdoor education. Children can discover and cultivate their passions, talents and potential, all while gaining a diverse set of skills and experiences.

Making Private Education Affordable

While the cost of private education might initially seem out of reach, there are strategies and resources available to make it more accessible for your family.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Many private schools offer financial aid and scholarship programs to support families from various backgrounds. These programs can be based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of both. It's important to research and reach out to schools directly, and ask about the kind of financial aid options they offer. You might be pleasantly surprised by the opportunities that exist.

Tuition Payment Plans

Many private schools provide flexible payment plans, allowing families to break down annual tuition into manageable monthly or quarterly installments. By spreading out the financial commitment over time, private school becomes more feasible for families on a budget. Be sure to ask prospective schools about their payment plan options during the application process.

Tax-Advantaged Accounts

Consider using educational saving accounts, such as 529 plans or Coverdell Education Savings Accounts. These accounts provide tax advantages and allow you to set aside funds specifically for educational

expenses, including private school tuition. Over time, these accounts can grow significantly, easing the financial burden of private education.

State Programs

Indiana's Choice Scholarship Program, commonly referred to as the voucher program, provides scholarships to eligible Indiana students to offset tuition costs at participating schools. For more information and a list of the participating private schools, visit in.gov/doe/students/ indiana-choice-scholarship-program.

Prioritizing Education in Your Budget

Paying for private education might require lifestyle adjustments and prioritizing education in your family budget. Consider adjusting discretionary spending, cutting back on non-essential expenses, or exploring additional income streams. Many parents find that the long-term benefits and the impact on their children's educational journey make these sacrifices worthwhile.

Your investment in your child’s education is an investment in your child's future. Set them on a path to success with the gift of a world-class education that will shape their future for years to come.

CARMEL

Carmel Montessori Schools

Carmel Montessori School is located Meridian in Carmel. Our directress is American Montessori Certified with 18 years head-teaching experience and we a a full member of the American Montessori Society. We offer a beautiful, peaceful and positive Montessori learning environment. Extended days available. • 1402 W. Main St., Carmel, IN 46032, Contact: Emily & Scott Rudicel, Phone: 317-580-0699, Email: info@carmelmontessori. com, carmelmontessori.com

Highlands Latin School

Highlands Latin School is a private Latin-centered classical Christian school centered on developing the academic potential and character of each student. HLS was founded in the Indianapolis area in 2011 and is part of the Highlands Latin School network of schools accredited through the Classical Latin School Association. HLS employs a unique three day program for K through 4th grade, and a 4 day class schedule for 5th through 12th grade. The HLS curriculum is carefully planned from Jr Kindergarten through 12th grade equipping our students with the foundational skills for higher learning. The school is currently located in Carmel, Indiana and is working towards building a permanent campus on their new property in Westfield, Indiana. • 1010 East 126th St, Carmel, and 1402 West Main St, Carmel, Phone: 317-519-5501, Email: admissions@ indylatinschool.org indylatinschool.org

Starting Line Preschool

The Right Start for A Lifelong Love of Learning! Our strong academic-based curriculum prepares and encourages your child to succeed in school while discovering learning is fun! All of our classes focus on an introduction to colors, number and letters with exciting art and science projects. Math, social studies and sight words are taught in the older classes.Develop Social Awareness & Friendships, Build Confidence and Master Academic Skills for Kinder- garten. • 110 Third Ave NE, Carmel, IN 46032, Contact: Diane Atkins, Phone: 317-753-9397, Email: dkatkins22@ msn.com, startinglinepreschool.com

EDUCATION GUIDE

DOWNTOWN

Hagia Sophia Classical Academy

Hagia Sophia Classical Academy is a K-12 private classical school focused on academic excellence and character development. The curriculum combines academics with the Christian values of Truth, Beauty & Goodness. Hagia Sophia provides affordable academic excellence. • 3237 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46222, Phone: (317) 500-4722, HagiaSophiaClassical.com , Email: admin@hagiasophiaclassical.com

IUPUI Center for Young Children

The IUPUI Center for Young Children offers childcare and early childhood education for children ages six weeks to five years old and believes children learn through play, experiences, and interaction with their environment and peers. • 321 Limestone St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, Phone: 317-274- 3508, childcare. iupui.edu/index.html

St. Richards Episcopal School

St. Richard’s Episcopal School education provides students aged 3 through grade 8, a transformational experience through our engaging and challenging curriculum while developing global citizens who love learning, embrace diversity and live Episcopal values. Students thrive with small class sizes and personal attention from outstanding faculty as they learn knowledge and values for a lifetime. • 33 East 33rd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46205, Phone: 317-926-0425, Contact: Kim Napier, Director of Admissions, Email: knapier@ sresdragons.org, sresdragons.org

INDIANAPOLIS – NORTH

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School seeks to prepare the next generation of leaders with the intellectual and technological competence, loving and open hearts, faith inspiration and social responsibility to bring about a more just, humane and loving world. Students from all backgrounds, faiths, and ethnicities are welcome at Brebeuf Jesuit, where all are called to discover and cultivate the fullness of their God-given talents. Each student is therefore challenged and inspired to strive for academic excellence, to engage whole-heartedly in co-curricular activities, to develop confidence in leadership abilities, and to

discover God’s presence in everyday life through serving others. • 2801 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46268, Contact: Colleen Cannon, Director of Admissions, Phone: 317-524-7090, Email: admissions@brebeuf.org, brebeuf.org

Children’s Day In Nursery School and Traditional Preschool

Children's Day In Nursery School and Traditional Preschool is a fully inclusive early childhood program with an emphasis on Christian values and learning through play. It is designed to offer children ages 9 months to 5 years a positive and developmentally appropriate first school experience in the care of experienced and loving caregivers. We play and learn! Classes are offered weekdays from 9 am to 2:30 pm. For the older kids, our program Includes weekly Christian Life Skills, Music class taught by Indianapolis Children’s Choir instructors and Book Club. Please call, e-mail or visit for further information and registration Forms. Tours are individually set up at your convenience! • 5500 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208, Contact: Christy Whaley, Phone: 317-253-0472, cwhaley@ meridianstreet.org, meridianstreet.org/cdi

Early Childhood Center

Early Childhood Center, The Church at the Crossing Parents Day Out (22-35 mos) and Part Day Preschool (3 yrs-PreK5) provide relaxed, secure, playful environments that nurture creativity and the exploration of God’s world. A variety of learning materials & readiness skills are woven into each unit. Older classrooms utilize “Handwriting Without Tears” curriculum. Various days, 9am-2pm. Need longer hours? Try our All Day Classes designed for 3 mos – Pre K5 with operating hours, 6:30am-6pm • 9111 N. Haverstick Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46240, Contact: John Drake, Phone: 317-575-6508, Email: ecc@golove.org

International School of Indiana

ISI is a non-profit, independent school that offers the International Baccalaureate curriculum to all preschool through grade 12 students on our newly unified campus. With lessons taught in English, French, Mandarin, and Spanish, our curriculum helps students excel academically while learning to become responsible citizens and effective leaders. ISI also offers a wide range of sports, clubs, and arts programs for students of all ages. High school students participate in a

comprehensive four-year college counseling program, leading to a 100% college acceptance rate. • 4330 N. Michigan Rd.; Phone: 317-923-1951, ext. 334; email: admissions@isind.org; isind.org

The Oaks Academy

The Oaks Academy is a Christ- centered school (Pre-K through 8th grade) that exists to provide a rich, classical education to children of diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, preparing them to succeed in a rigorous secondary educational program and to demonstrate spiritual, social and emotional maturity. • Multiple locations; Contact: Sam Schmelzer, Phone: 317-426-7990; Email: admissons@theoaksacademy.org; theoaksacademy.org

The Orchard School

The Orchard School, an independent, non-sectarian, progressive school, emphasizing experiential learning. Orchard teachers engage the natural curiosity of children, develop academic excellence, and provide leadership experience through well-rounded education. Orchard’s diverse community and commitment to multicultural education inspires responsible, global citizenship.

Founded in 1922. NAIS, ISACS, NAEYC accredited. • 615 W. 64th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260, Contact: Jessica Aiyasami, Director of Admissions, Phone: 317-713-5717, Fax: 317-254-8454, Email: jaiyasami@orchard.org, orchard.org

Sapling

Sapling offers a year round Reggioinspired preschool for children ages 2 to 5 in conjunction with extended after care hours for working families. We empower children to discover themselves and the world around them as they become critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative community members. We value our students and their passions, curiosities, and joys. Their interests guide the holistic, emergent curriculum and our learning environment. • For more information or to explore our virtual tour, please visit our website or facebook.com/ saplingindy. To schedule a private tour, please call (317) 319-8228, Contact: Kelsey Livingston, Email: Kelsey@saplingindy.com, Saplingindy.com

Sycamore School

At Sycamore School, Indiana's only accredited, independent, private school for Preschool - 8th grade gifted students, teachers trained in gifted education deliver a curriculum designed to challenge and engage gifted learners. Art, music, Spanish, physical education, technology, extensive field trips, athletics, financial aid, and after school activities are offered. • 1750 W. 64th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260, Contact: Duane Emery, Director of Enrollment Management, Phone: 317-202-2500, Email: emery.duane@ sycamoreschool.org, sycamoreschool.org

INDIANAPOLIS –NORTHEAST MSD of Lawrence Township

Located in the northeast corner of Indianapolis, Lawrence is a residential suburban community of 95,000+ and home to Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park and Geist Reservoir. With families from widely diverse cultural, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds, the Lawrence community values and embraces diversity as one of its greatest strengths. Lawrence Township strives to be the district of destination, a reputation built over the years based

on the district's award-winning staff, accomplished administrators, high-achieving students, supportive community, and innovative educational programs. • 6501 Sunnyside Road, Indianapolis, IN 46236; Phone: (317) 423-8200; email: danaaltemeyer@msdlt.k12.in.us; LTschools.org

INDIANAPOLIS –NORTHWEST Victory Learning Center

Victory Learning Center is a faith-based, fun, loving, safe, and a structured environment, where young children learn through education, extracurricular activities, games, field trips and play. Our program is designed to nurture and meet the individual needs of preschoolers 3 and 4 year old's through 2nd grade. We're now enrolling for the 2023-2024 Academic School Year! • (317) 941-6603, 5150 Moller Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46254, VLCINDY.com

INDIANAPOLIS – SOUTH Curtis Wilson Primary

School and Academy

Curtis Wilson Primary School and Academy, a program of Beech Tree House Center for Child Development,

Inc., promotes the emotional, physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual development of each child. Our exceptional teaching staff is dedicated to presenting a challenging and enthusiastic learning environment that recognizes each unique learner. With a dedication to personal excellence, all members of our school family are challenged to practice and exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in daily life. Stateaccredited with exemplary ratings. Preschool - 6th Grade • 7850 South Emerson Ave., Indianapolis , 46237, Phone: 317-882-8636, jhaywood-rollins@ beechtreehouse.com, cwpsa.com

NOBLESVILLE

Emmanuel Learning Academy

The Emmanuel Learning Academy offers small class sizes with options for full-time or part-time Preschool, Pre-K preparation, Kindergarten, and Parents Day Out for our youngest students (22-36 months). Through the guidance of Indiana Academic Standards and with an emphasis on developmentally appropriate practices, our teachers encourage discovery learning and the development of life & school readiness skills. The kindergarten and older classrooms utilize the “Handwriting

Without Tears” curriculum, blended phonics & sight word-based approach to reading readiness. • 16000 Cumberland Road | Noblesville, IN 46060, (317) 773-4464, Email: ashley@ emmanuelumc.org, emmanuelumc.org/ ela-who-we-are/

SPECIAL NEEDS

Easterseals Crossroads

Offering comprehensive disability services for people of all ages. Early Intervention, Autism Services, PT, OT, Speech Therapy, Feeding/ Swallowing issues, Augmentative Comm-unication, Assistive Technology, Multi-sensory Therapy Rooms, Summer Camps, Life/ Social Skills Groups, Deaf Community Services, Autism Family Resource Center. • 4740 Kingsway Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46205, Phone: 317-466-1000, Email: info@ easterseals crossroads.org, eastersealscrossroads.org

BE PART OF OUR MONTHLY GUIDE

Your Child's First Job

If the words, “Can I have some money for…” have started to wear on you (and your bank account), then it might be time for your teen to start looking for their first job. The idea of money in your teen’s pocket might be enticing, but if you find yourself in a space of anticipation and anxiety at the thought of your child clocking in for the first time, know you aren’t alone!

When can my teen start to work in the state of Indiana?

First off, it’s important to know when your teen is eligible to start working in the state of Indiana and what the restrictions are. Children ages 14 and 15 are restricted to 3 hours of work per school day, 8 hours per nonschool day with a limit of 18 hours per school week and 40 hours per non-school week. They also may not work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m., except for June 1 through Labor Day, when that increases to 9 p.m.

Sixteen year olds have more work eligibility and are able to work up to 8 hours per school day and 40 hours per school week. They cannot work more than 6 days per week, and no work before 6 a.m. Sixteen-year olds are allowed to work until 10pm in the evening. There are more specific rules related to hours that are followed by a school day and certain schedules that require a guardian’s signature. For more information on these hours and hours for 17-year olds, be sure to check out the Indiana Department of Labor website at in.gov/dol

How can we fit one more thing into our busy schedules?

With sports and extracurriculars and all the things, you and your teen might be wondering where in the world you will even find those extra hours in the day. The great news is that lots of employers are

willing to work with teens and their schedules. Employers need reliable help and your teen needs money — it’s a win-win. Be sure to tell your teen to be upfront about their schedule and availability when applying for the job. Let the employer know what days aren’t going to work, and what days will work. This is a great opportunity for your teen to learn the importance of planning ahead, time management and good communication when it comes time to request days off.

How many hours should I let my teen work per week?

Each state has different laws that are put in place to protect your child from being overworked at a young age. But just because your teen can work that many hours a week, doesn’t mean that is necessarily what is good for them or your family. Make sure you and your teen discuss what is

reasonable for them at this time in their lives. While making money and having a job are important and do provide a lot of wonderful skills that will be beneficial throughout life, there are still other things that take precedence, like school and other family priorities. Be sure you set realistic goals and also know you can dial back at any time if it is starting to feel like you are in over your head.

How do I let my teen take the lead when looking for a job?

If your teen has expressed interest in applying for a job, be sure to let them know they’ve got this and they are fully capable. Talk to them about how to request an application, how to fill it out properly, what to wear to work, showing up on time and anything else that may go with the job description. The important thing is to equip them to take the initiative and do these things on their own. If they feel nervous about asking for the application, you can walk in with them and let them know where you will be standing if they need to find you — but assure them they can do it! Sometimes, it takes a little nudging, but once they see what they are capable of, it might just open their eyes to a world of endless possibilities.

This is the time to learn new skills, gain responsibility, and make a little extra money.

WORDS BY JENNIFER THOMPSON

Local Spotlight: Cheese and Thank You Food Truck

A one-of-a-kind Indy food truck run by people with different abilities.

Ballard worked with Wharry to start the food truck in 2019 and it took off from there. “Individuals learn the entire process –shopping, cooking, running a cash register, serving, customer service. It’s hard work and it prepares them for an entry level job in food service,” Ballard says.

Tricia Wernimont is the food truck specialist and manages the employees. “I’ll take anyone to work on the food truck because I want everyone to have that opportunity. Each Individual is unique and I’ll train them,” she says.

Truck Schedule

Cheese and Thank You operates during the summer months through October. Although they don’t have set locations every week, they keep busy through individual bookings. To keep up with the food truck schedule, you can find their calendar online at cheeseandthankyou.org . You can also book the food truck online or by calling (317) 744-5889

If you’re fortunate enough to be in the Indianapolis area where the Cheese and Thank You food truck is parked, you’ll be treated to the aromas of mac and cheese and mouth-watering toppings. Chances are you’ll be greeted with a smile by one of the workers while upbeat music wafts out from the truck windows.

But, this isn’t just any run-of-themill food truck. It’s the only food truck in the Midwest where the food is prepared, served and marketed by people with intellectual disabilities. “Working here changed my life because I’ve had an opportunity to show what I’m capable of,” says 28-year-old Richie Olopade, the food truck’s assistant to the manager. “I get to prove that I can cook food like people without disabilities.”

Richie’s day starts hours before serving customers, with loading the generator, picking up groceries, and preparing toppings and the cheeses they’ll need for the day’s service. “I like greeting customers because I've been in the food business since I was 19. It's good to greet customers because back then I started as a dishwasher and I was always in the back,” he says.

Food Truck Beginnings

This food truck concept is the brainchild of Allison Wharry and Kathy D. Ballard, PhD, both of New Hope of Indiana, an organization that serves people with developmental disabilities in Central Indiana. “The transition from high school to the adult service world for people with disabilities is a very challenging time for individuals and their families,” Ballard says.

The Menu

Cheese and Thank You food truck serves a straightforward and delicious menu highlighting, as its name suggests, mac and cheese. Visitors can choose to add toppings to their selection. “Try our white cheddar mac and cheese because it’s probably some of the best you’ll ever taste,” Richie says.

“I drive an hour each way to get to work and honestly most days it doesn’t feel like a job,” says Wernimont. “It’s really fun. I love the individuals and my staff. It’s a fabulous place to work and it’s wonderful to see all they’re doing here.”

To find out more about the services of New Hope of Indiana, visit newhopeofindiana.org

LITTLE FOODIES

WORDS BY NICOLE SIPE

Where to Find Pineapple Dole Whip in Indianapolis

Craving a Disney treat? Dole Whip is by far one of the most iconic snacks in all of Disney World and Disneyland. You can find them in several areas around Disney World, and at the Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland at Disneyland. This whipped, frosty pineapple soft serve is fat-free, dairy-free and gluten-free. For an even more tropical twist, opt for a Dole Whip float, which is pineapple juice topped with pineapple soft serve.

You don't have to travel to Disney to get this cool, creamy treat! Here’s where to find them around Indy!

Ohanalulu

11640 Brooks School Road, Suite 100, Fishers

106 W. State St., Pendleton

Ohanalulu is where you can find pineapple Dole whip and Dole whip floats, as well as a variety of cake donuts and ice cream to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Paradise Shaved Ice

13698 N. Meridian, Carmel

7246 Fishers Crossing, Fishers

126 N. Lebanon St., Lebanon

255 Sheridan Rd., Noblesville

1826 E. Main St., Plainfield

Not only does Paradise Shaved Ice serve pineapple Dole Whips, but they also serve Dole soft serve in several other flavors, including orange, strawberry, cherry, mango, watermelon and others.

Cabell's Ice Cream

1658 E. State Rd. 44, Shelbyville

Cabell's Ice Cream in Shelbyville dishes up Dole Whip soft serve and Dole Whip floats, as well as soft serve ice cream cones taller than your head!

Cinnaholic

1350 S Rangeline Rd, Carmel

You’ll find gluten-free and vegan Dole Whip here, as well as gluten-free and vegan cinnamon rolls. Take it to another level by adding your choice of toppings to your Dole Whip.

The Fudge Kettle

8100 E. US Highway 36, Suite J, Avon

This sweet spot in Avon churns out pineapple Dole Whip soft serve, as well as other flavors of Dole Whip during the summer season.

The Alex and Ali Foundation

Empowering and enhancing the lives of young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.

The Alex and Ali Foundation website fittingly says in bold letters, Working Toward a Brighter Future — which is exactly what they are doing. The foundation serves the communities of Bargersville, Indianapolis and Newburgh with a mission to empower and enhance the lives of adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, by providing opportunities for job skill development, vocational activities and meaningful community involvement.

“The Alex and Ali Foundation changes lives,” says Sadie Stokes, manager of the Bargersville location. “All of our team members have changed drastically by having access to safe and supportive socialization, work experience, and community involvement.”

The Heart Behind the Foundation

The Alex and Ali Foundation started when Alex's mother noticed that as her son was nearing the end of high school, there were fewer resources for him to have access to an accommodating job and few companies willing to hire someone with a disability. “The namesakes, Alex and Ali, have been best friends since childhood and both have autism,” Stokes says. “The Foundation was created to provide purpose and meaning to adults with developmental disabilities. These individuals

are worthy and capable – they just need to be given the opportunity to show the world that.”

To make this happen, the Foundation started its first vocational training site, The Hope Gallery, in 2018 in Bargersville, as a retail boutique to teach customer service, cashiering and art forms. In 2022,

it was transformed into a "sweets and treats boutique," serving ice cream, candy and handmade art made by team members and other artisans with disabilities.

In 2020, the foundation opened the second vocational training site, Happy Hounds Doggy Daycare on the southside of Indy. At this site, team members help care for dogs, take them on walks, play with them, and provide them with lots of love and attention.

In 2022, a second Hope Gallery location was opened, this time in Newburgh. The Hope Gallery Newburgh provides vocational training for 75 team members and partners with 50 disabled artisans across the U.S., Canada and Israel to sell their items in the stores.

How to Get Involved

“We can always use more volunteers at any of our locations to assist team members with general day-to-day tasks,” Stokes says. “If someone has a skill they want to share and teach our team members (one or multiple sessions), we would love that. If someone would rather build or repair something for us, we always need handy helpers. Additionally, people can get involved by donating, visiting our stores and sharing our mission with others.”

To learn more about the Alex and Ali Foundation, visit their website at TheAlexAndAli Foundation.com .

THINGS TO DO

FRI 01 Baby & Me Enjoy some quality time with your little one with some gentle movement and enrichment. You’ll work on motor skills and build confidence with yoga, then stimulate your explorer’s senses and allow adults a chance to socialize with other young families during a stroller walk. • Location: Downtown Canal, Time: 11 am, indyculturaltrail.org FREE

Ice Cream Express Ride the rails on a little red caboose to the Arcadia train depot! Once there, you will disembark to enjoy an ice cream treat and an opportunity to tour the historic depot. This is a round-trip ride departing from Hobbs Station inside Forest Park in Noblesville and returning back. • Location: Forest Park, Time: 5 & 7:30 pm, nickelplateexpress.com

Pajama-Rama Put on your cutest pair of pajamas, grab your favorite teddy bear and pack up a blanket! Families will enjoy music, songs and stories about some of our favorite animals. • Location: Cool Creek Nature Center, Time: 7 pm, hamiltoncounty. in.gov FREE

FRI 01–SAT 02 Blues Fest The 11th annual music festival returns for a free, two-night event, and includes performances by renowned local and nationally award-winning blues artists. • Location: Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, npdamp.com FREE

Starry Nights A ballet that brings to life fairy tales, stories and myths that are shared underneath the night sky. Experience some of your favorite stories in a brand new light with some added twists and turns. • Location: The Basile Theatre at the Athenaeum, balletinitiative.org

SAT 02 Family Camp Looking for a way to try camping? Family Camp is designed to give you the confidence to take your family out camping. There will be classes on cooking, setting up equipment, gear choices, and a host of other topics to get you started on a camping adventure. • Location: White River Campground, Time: 11:30 am-10:30 am, hamiltoncounty.in.gov

Family Discovery Day: Archeology September is archaeology month in Indiana. Discover stories from Indiana’s past through ancient artifacts. Be inspired by ancient pottery and learn how to create your own. Participate in an archaeological dig and piece together relics you may find. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10 am-5 pm, indianamuseum.org

Story Castle Cinema: Sing 2 Enjoy a free family-friendly movie in the Story Castle! • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 12:30 pm, wwpl.lib.in.us FREE

Summer Concert Series Enjoy an evening of music performed by local musicians. Lay out a blanket or set up some camping chairs on the sledding hill and enjoy! • Location: Fort Harrison State Park, Time: 7 pm, on.in.gov/fortharrisonsp

SAT 02–SUN 03 7th Annual

Sunflower Festival Imagine walking through acres of sunflowers of all shapes and varieties. It’s the best way to kick off the fall season!

• Location: Stucky Farm, stuckeyfarm.com

MON 04 Labor Day Fun at the Farm

A day full of activities and fun on the farm! Enjoy U-pick apples, explore the corn maze and take a ride on a hayride. The Tractor Town kids play area will also be open, providing a space for children to run, play and learn. • Location: Tuttle Orchards, Time: 9 am-6 pm, indianapolisorchard.com

TUES 05 Movies at Midtown: Spirit

Untamed Enjoy an outdoor movie shown on the big video screen in Midtown Plaza. • Location: Midtown Plaza Carmel, Time: Noon & 6 pm, midtownplazacarmel.com

Small Wonders: States of Matter

Touch and feel all types of textures this month as your preschooler experiments with different states of matter. We will play with cold ice and build and create using sticky oobleck. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10 am, indianamuseum.org

Tales for Twos and Threes Enjoy exhilarating books, stories and rhymes. For kids ages 0-5. Registration required.

• Location: Carmel Clay Public Library, Time: 10:30 am, carmelclaylibrary.org FREE

WED 06 Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra Concert Bring a seat, your friends and family, and enjoy a free concert in the park! • Location: Garfield Park, Time: 7 pm, gpacarts.org FREE

Storytime at Cool Creek Nature Center Falling, fluttering, so the leaves do fly. Fall is here and we would love to have you come and join us for a nature-inspired storytime! We will read a story, sing some songs, and enjoy a fun kid’s craft. • Location: Cool Creek Nature Center, Time: 10:30 am, hamiltoncounty.in.gov FREE

Toddler & Preschool Storytime

Preschoolers, toddlers, and their caregivers are invited for stories, fingerplays, crafts, and activities.

• Location: Glendale Branch Library, Time: 10:30 am, indypl.org FREE

THURS 07 Doggie Dip The last dip in the Eskenazi Water Park goes to the dogs! All dogs welcome. $15 (plus $10 for each additional dog) per day. • Location: JCC Indianapolis, Time: 5:30-7:30 pm, jccindy.org

Family Game Night Enjoy games and puzzles and family fun in a safe setting. • Location: Martindale-Brightwood Branch, Time: 4:30 pm, indypl. org FREE

First Thursday Night @ The Children’s Museum On the first Thursday of every month, it's just $6 admission per person! • Location: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Time: 4-8 pm, childrensmuseum.org

Newfields Community Day Enjoy free admission to Newfields on the first Thursday of the month. Advance ticket is required. • Location: Newfields, Time: 11 am-8 pm, discovernewfields.org FREE

THURS 07–SAT 09 48th Annual Oktoberfest Enjoy three days of German and German-American food, dance, entertainment, and of course, great biers.

• Location: German American Klub, indianapolisgak.com

FRI 08 Jams at the Junction: Flying Toasters Each concert starts with music, kid-friendly activities, and select food trucks begin at 6:30 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring blankets and enjoy the evening outside. • Location: Grand Junction Plaza in Westfield, Time: 6:30 pm, westfieldwelcome.com FREE

Movies at the Monument: Encanto

Enjoy a family-friendly movie under the stars! • Location: Riverside Park Taggart Memorial Mainstage Amphitheatre

Teddy Bear Sleepover Bring your teddy bear to the nature center for a special craft. Then leave them with the naturalists for a fun naturefilled sleepover party. Pickup will occur Sept. 9 between 1-2 pm. Be sure to check the Zionsville Nature Center Facebook page Friday and Saturday for sleepover updates. Ages 3-8 years. • Location: Zionsville Nature Center, Time: 12:30-1 pm, hmmpl.org

FRI 08–SUN 10 Jupiter Flights

Balloon Festival Indiana’s largest balloon festival! Enjoy live music, food, bounce houses and a balloon race to kick off a spectacular balloon glow featuring special shapes. Cheer on your favorite balloons as pilots fill the sky in exciting competitions, with a grand champion announced after Sunday's final race. • Location: Conner Prairie, connerprairie.org

Lions Park Fall Festival Carnival, parade, rides, food, music and family-friendly events! • Location: Lions Park in Zionsville, zionsvillelions.com

FRI–SUN, SEPTEMBER 8-10

JUPITER FLIGHTS

SAT 09 Artomobilia Featuring nearly 500 enthusiast and collector cars on the streets of Carmel, Artomobilia boasts one of the most eclectic gatherings of original, period-correct cars, including supercar, exotic, sports car, classics, racers, historically preserved and more. • Location: Carmel Arts & Design District, Time: 11 am, artomobilia.org FREE

Blues in the ‘Burg This can’t-miss family event features musical acts from around the country, local food trucks, a beer and wine garden, a kid’s zone and activities for all ages. • Location: Arbuckle Acres Park, Time: 2:30 pm, brownsburg.org

Explore the World Explore the world one country at a time! Every month will explore a different country. This program is open to all families and will have activities for kids of all ages! Snacks will be provided. • Location: Glendale Branch Library, Time: 11 am, indypl.org FREE

Music & All That Jazz Bring your lawn chair to courthouse square for a delightful evening of music in a beautiful downtown setting. Make it a full evening with shopping and dining in the unique shops and restaurants around the Square.

• Location: Historic Noblesville Square, Time: 5 pm, noblesvillemainstreet.org FREE

Penrod Arts Fair The event includes more than 300 artists, six stages of entertainment, more than 50 arts-related non-profit organizations, an extensive children's area, and the Indiana Craft Beer Garden. • Location: Newfields, Time: 9 am-5 pm, penrod.org

Puppy POOLooza Why should humans have all the fun? One of Greenwood’s most popular annual events, Puppy POOLooza welcomes the community’s four-legged friends for an end-ofsummer pool party. • Location: Freedom Springs Aquatic Center, Time: 10 am-2 pm, greenwood.in.gov

Safety Day Engage with Fishers civil servants from the fire department and police department to learn more about how to remain safe during summer activities. Safety Day is filled with demonstrations, informational booths, family activities and more!

• Location: Nickel Plate District AMP Market, Time: 4:30-7:30 pm, playfishers.com FREE

Young Explorers: Rockets and Rails

Design, build and test your own modes of transportation followed by a silly story time and creating some speedy art. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 1 pm, indianamuseum.org

SAT 09–SUN 10 All IN Music & Arts Festival An epic weekend of music, food, drinks, immersive visual art and big fun. • Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, allinfestival.com

SUN 10 11th Annual Indy Festival of Faiths Indiana's largest celebration of faith diversity! Enjoy booths, activities and sacred performances that will help to better understand and appreciate our neighbors from different religious traditions. • Location: University Park, Time: 1 pm, indycic.org

Circulating Sound Concert Series: Indianapolis Chamber Players Enjoy a concert from Vladimir, Yefim and friends — the Indianapolis Chamber Players. You will leave refreshed by melody and learn something! • Location: Central Library, Time: 2 pm, indypl.org FREE

Harvest Fest Enjoy a beautiful Sunday afternoon outdoors! Browse and shop the creations of local artists and artisans, enjoy live music, walk the gardens and get a tour of the historic Ambassador House. • Location: Heritage Park at White River in Fishers, Time: Noon-5 pm, fishersartscouncil.org FREE

Sunday Characters with Princesses (and Pirates!) Celebrate all things royalty when princesses from your favorite fairy tales take over Victory Field. Dress like a princess or join Rowdie in dressing like a pirate. The Pirates Pierogies and Pirate Parrot, the official mascot of the Pittsburgh Pirates, will also make special appearances. • Location: Victory Field, Time: 1:35 pm, milb.com/indianapolis

MON 11 Messy Munchkins Listen to a story, then squish and smush your way into the benefits of messy play. Dress for mess! Ages 2-5. Registration required. • Location: Noblesville Library, Time: 10 am, hepl.lib.in.us FREE

Pajama Storytime Young children and their caregivers are invited to join us for stories, songs, and fun. Stay after stories are finished for some literacy activities and play time. • Location: Lawrence Branch Library, Time: 6:30 pm, indypl.org FREE

TUES 12 Baby Storytime Babies up to 24 months and an adult are invited for stories, songs, fingerplays and fun! Each session is followed by playtime with special toys designed just for babies.

• Location: Glendale Branch Library, Time: 10:30 am, indypl.org FREE

Jungle Tales Bring your preschooler to this program with a focus on the natural world. Enjoy a different nature-related story, activity and craft each month. $5; registration required. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10-11 am, garfieldgardensconservatory.org

Movies at Midtown: Lyle, Lyle Crocodile Enjoy an outdoor movie shown on the big video screen in Midtown Plaza. • Location: Midtown Plaza Carmel, Time: Noon & 6 pm, midtownplazacarmel.com

WED 13–SAT 16 Beech Grove Fall Festival Enjoy rides, games, food booths and a craft fair on Saturday! • Location: Main Street Beech Grove, bgpromoters.org/fall-festival

Indy Kids Sale Browse through thousands of great deals for your kids! • Location: Finch Creek Fieldhouse, indykidssale.com

WED 13–SUN 17 Fall Whale of a Sale Indiana’s largest kids consignment event featuring baby to teen clothing, toys, strollers, books, sporting goods, furniture and more from 500+ families. • Location: Grand Park Events Center, whale-sale.com

THURS 14 Baby Love Storytime

Stories, songs, rhymes, finger-plays, and play time for babies (infant-18 months) accompanied by a caregiver. Siblings welcome. Registration required. • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 10:30-11:30 am, wwpl.lib.in.us FREE

Preschool Story Hour: Squirrels We will read a book, enjoy a craft, and participate in a fun activity all related to the theme of the day! • Location: Taylor Center of Natural History, Time: 11 am, hamiltoncounty.in.gov FREE

Young Scientists Children ages 6-10 are invited to learn about topics in science, technology, engineering and math through fun and interactive activities. • Location: Garfield Park Branch Library, Time: 4:30 pm, indypl.org FREE

FRI 15 Garden Storytime Meet in Blake’s Children’s Garden and learn about nature through a story reading. After the reading, children are encouraged to stay and explore the garden. Ages 2-8. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10:30 am, garfieldgardensconservatory.org FREE

Sensory-friendly Sundays @ Conner Prairie The second Sunday of every month, exhibit components that make noise will be turned off. All quiet spaces can be utilized and staff trained in Sensory Friendly Practices will be on hand in case anyone needs assistance. • Location: Conner Prairie, Time: 10 am-Noon, connerprairie.org *SN

WED 13 Butterfly Walk Many butterflies begin flocking to flowers in the fields this time of year. We will walk the trails to find them. We hope to find migrating monarchs but will also identify other interesting insects of the prairie.

• Location: Strawtown Koteewi Park, Time: 2 pm, hamiltoncounty.in.gov FREE

Movin’ & Groovin’ If your preschooler likes music and movement, try out this fun musical program! We will enjoy action songs, dancing, singing, playing percussion instruments and other musical props.

• Location: Fishers Library, Time: 2 pm, hepl.lib.in.us FREE

Safe Travels, Monarchs! We are nearing the monarch butterfly migration. We will learn about this colorful butterfly’s life cycle and the amazing trek they make to Mexico. • Location: Cool Creek Nature Center, Time: 10:30 am, hamiltoncounty.in.gov FREE

Movies in the Park: Super Heroes

Avengers, assemble! Enjoy a superhero swinging movie night. Come dressed up in your best superhero costume and participate in a superhero trivia and costume contest. Bring your own lawn chair, blankets, and/or picnic to eat and enjoy during the movie. • Location: Arbuckle Acres Park, Time: 6 pm, brownsburg.org FREE

Movies in the Plaza: Ratatouille

Enjoy a free evening of entertainment on the Great Lawn. Movies will begin around dusk, so start times will vary. Bring blankets and chairs to cozy up and enjoy the movie! • Location: Grand Junction Plaza, Time: 7-11 pm, westfieldwelcome.com FREE

FRI 15 –SAT 16 St. Luke Fall Fest

Enjoy a kiddie carnival, midway adventure zone, face painting, St. Luke sports bar, food trucks and more!

• Location: St. Luke Catholic Church, 3-10 pm, stluke.org

FRI 15 –SUN 17 42nd Annual Fall

4-Wheel Jamboree Vehicles will gather from across the country for a powerhouse off-road weekend. See all types of custom builds and off-road trends, talk to knowledgable owners/builders, and take in the racing action and watch the mud fly. • Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, 4wheeljamboree.com

ARPO 17th Annual Dog Olympics

Fun for people and dogs of all ages! Enjoy participating in or watching adorable dogs having a blast engaging in friendly competition for a good cause. • Location: Broad Ripple Park, 9:30 am, adoptarpo.org

BBQ & Blues Festival With food prepared by local eateries, enjoy music all afternoon while exploring the park. Free with park admission.

• Location: Fort Harrison State Park, Time: Noon, on.in.gov/fortharrisonsp

Fiesta Indianapolis Enjoy a day of music, dancing, food, children’s activities, a health and wellness fair, and community service booths to celebrate and share Hispanic culture with the entire community. • Location: Georgia & Illinois Streets, Time: Noon-8 pm, laplazaindy.org

Global Fest Indy Share traditions, honor heritage and learn about cultures through food, music, art and play. • Location: 4550 Central Ave., Time: Noon-10 pm, cfi70ptsa.org/globalfest

Carmel on Canvas

Plein

Air Paintout

This open-air painting exhibition and competition takes place on the sidewalks throughout the Carmel Arts & Design District, Carmel’s Midtown, the City Hall Japanese Gardens, Carmel City Center and Carmel Central Park with its 161 acres of beautiful green space! • Location: Various Carmel locations, Time: 8:30 am-6 pm, carmelartsanddesign.com FREE

St. George Middle Eastern Festival

Enjoy a heritage of faith, hospitality, good food, music and crafts from Middle East roots and the cultures that make up the congregation. The family-oriented festival includes Middle Eastern foods & pastries, beer & wine, live music, dancing, a shopping emporium and children's play areas. • Location: St. George Orthodox Christian Church, facebook.com/ stgfestival

SAT 16 10th Annual Art Squared

See dozens of artists creating works of art for cash prizes. Browse the art fair, where local Indiana artists and vendors come together to sell their goods. To wrap up the day, enjoy a block party featuring live square dancing and BBQ. • Location: Fountain Fletcher District, Time: 11 am-7 pm, discoverfountain square.com FREE

FRI–SAT, SEPTEMBER 15-16

Bollywood Dance and Culture It's National Dance Day, so come dance with us! You'll be introduced to the basic steps used in Indian Bollywood dancing. Indian culture, language, and history is all intertwined in this movement workshop.

• Location: Noblesville Library, Time: 1 pm, hepl.lib.in.us FREE

Butler University Theatre Day High school students are invited to experience a variety of theatre sessions with Butler faculty. Enjoy a day full of acting workshops, design activities, and working with current students and faculty to learn more about a future in theatre! Includes lunch and parking. • Location: Butler University, Time: 8:30 am-4:30 pm, adm.butler.edu/register/Theatre_Day_2023 FREE

Community CampOut Enjoy a tent decorating contest, activities like kickball and lawn games, a fishing derby, playground time, dinner, s’mores, outdoor movie and more during this inaugural community event! $50. • Location: Freedom Park in Greenwood, Time: 3 pm-10 am, greenwood.in.gov

Cuisine Connect Culture Explore diverse arts, entertainment, traditions and food from all over the world. Enjoy performances and sample diverse cuisines, as well as discover the traditions, crafts, products and games from other countries. • Location: Grand Junction Plaza in Westfield, Time: 12-3 pm, westfieldwelcome.com

Eagle Creek Folk Festival

Enjoy free folk music and activities organized by the Central Indiana Folk Music & Mountain Dulcimer Society, plus jam sessions, workshops, food and beverages, and more. All are encouraged to bring instruments and join in the music-making! • L ocation: Eagle Creek Park, Noon-7 pm, indianafolkmusic.org FREE

Meet the Math A series of fun workshops led by Infinity Squared, two Carmel High School sophomores who love to share the beauty of mathematics with other young people. For students in grades 5-8. Registration is required. • Location: Carmel Clay Public Library, Time: 1:30-3:30 pm, carmelclaylibrary.org FREE

Plunder in the Park Enjoy a pirate-themed community event with live music, food trucks, pirate kids zone and fun! • Location: Old Northside Historic District, Time: 6-10 pm, oldnorthside.org

Story Castle Cinema: Beethoven & Beethoven’s 2nd Enjoy a free familyfriendly movie in the Story Castle! • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 12:30 pm, wwpl.lib.in.us FREE

Tinkerfest A daylong celebration of curiosity and creativity. Explore hands-on, interactive activities hosted by the maker community designed to engage and inspire Indiana’s designers, builders, coders, artists, makers, and tinkerers of all ages. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10 am-5 pm, indianamuseum.org

SAT 16 –SUN 17 Superhero Express Hop aboard for a fun-filled ride with your favorite superhero! Start your day with training camp, where superheroes will teach superhero combat moves. Each young superhero will receive a cape upon completion of combat camp. Then, ride the rails for a fun-filled train ride with your new superhero friends. Children 2 and under ride free as a lap child. • Location: Nickel Plate Express, nickelplateexpress.com

SUN 17 Carmel PorchFest This family-friendly event features a variety of musical acts, ranging from acoustic to electric, solo to ensemble, from a wide variety of musical genres that will perform live on neighborhood porches. • Location: Carmel Arts & Design District, Time: Noon-6 pm, carmelporchfest.org

FALL FEST AT ST. LUKE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Family Concert Series: Salaam Join us to hear Middle Eastern musical ensemble, Salaam, play beautiful music! Families will learn about Middle Eastern instruments and sounds at this concert. • Location: Central Library, Time: 3-4 pm, indypl.org FREE

Saraga International Food Festival

Enjoy diverse flavor experiences from all around the world. Visits various international food tents and food trucks, beer & wine garden, various exhibitors, family activities, live music and entertainment. • Location: Saraga International Grocery, Time: Noon-8 pm, saragaindy.com

MON 18 Experimental Musical

Instruments: An Interactive Performance Have you ever wanted to play an instrument that didn't exist? Come learn what experimental musical instruments are, listen to a performance and play them yourself! • Location: Carmel Clay Public Library, Time: 6:30 pm, carmelclaylibrary.org FREE

Family Bingo Night Kids, bring your parents or grandparents for an inter-generational fun night with classic Bingo games! • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 6-7 pm, wwpl.lib.in.us FREE

TUES 19 Movies at Midtown:

Clifford Enjoy an outdoor movie shown on the big video screen in Midtown Plaza. • Location: Midtown Plaza Carmel, Time: Noon & 6 pm, midtownplazacarmel.com

Tot Tunes This program incorporates songs and dance that will help get you ready for your busy day. Encourages the development of gross motor skills and language skills. For toddlers and preschoolers and their caregiver. Registration is required. • Location: Noblesville Library, Time: 9:30 am, hepl.lib.in.us FREE

WED 20 Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert Encanto fans of all ages can sing their favorite Encanto songs, accompanied by a live band, while enjoying the full movie. • Location: Murat Theatre, Time: 6:30 pm, murattheatreoldnational.com

Jungle Juniors Preschool Program:

Lion Pride A great way to begin youngsters ages 3-5 years on a journey to discover and learn about the world around them. Each program includes hands-on activities, animal artifacts, a Zoo walk, and a story or craft. • Location: Indianapolis Zoo, Time: 9:30-11 am, indianapoliszoo.com

Little Green Thumbs Bring your little gardener to get their hands dirty in the Children's Garden. Participants will have the opportunity to plant, care for, and harvest crops in the Garden. $5; registration required. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10 am, garfieldgardensconservatory.org

THURS 21 Fall Fest Enjoy games, crafts and a scavenger hunt to help kick off this great season! For kids in grades K-5. Registration required. • Location: Brownsburg Library, Time: 4:30 pm, bburglibrary.net FREE

THURS 21–SUN OCT 01

Venardos Circus "Let's Build a Dream" Tour Enjoy a Broadway-style animal-free circus! The wondrous Venardos Circus cast will take audiences on a journey under the big top as it unveils a fresh, magical and all-new experience for fans. The show features an original score, amazing performers, stunning lighting, and dazzling costumes. • Location: The Shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield, liveyourcircusdream.com

FRI 22–SAT 23 St. Malachy Country Fair and Hog Roast Stop by for a pork burger, listen to some live entertainment, and take a ride on the Ferris wheel! • Location: St. Malachy Catholic Church, stmalachy.org

FRI 22–SUN 24 Fan Appreciation

Weekend The Indians are celebrating the best fans in baseball all weekend long. Come out to the ballpark and enjoy firework shows on Friday and Saturday as the Indians cap their 2023 season in grand fashion! • Location: Victory Field, milb.com/ indianapolis

Suburban Indy Fall Home & Outdoor Living Show Browse from over 200 exhibitors and connect with local business to discuss landscape, home improvements and home building needs, as well as sample and purchase local food and shop from local artists. Check out local garden businesses to get ideas for your garden and see what the trends are for the fall. • Location: Grand Park in Westfield, suburbanindyshows.com

SAT 23 3rd Annual North Indy

Farm Crawl Meet the chickens who lay your eggs and the pigs who produce your delicious bacon, learn about aquaponics, visit an apiary, explore a flower farm, pet a French Alpine Goat or Jersey calf, walk through a prayer trail, get ideas for your future garden or dream farm, and more. • Location: Various farms in Zionsville and Sheridan, Time: 9 am-5 pm, visithamiltoncounty.com FREE

Just Add Water: Fishing If you have always wanted to try fishing, then this event is for you! All equipment and bait are provided. A fishing license is not required. • Location: Morse Park & Beach, Time: 1-4 pm, hamiltoncounty.in.gov FREE

Latino Heritage Festival In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, enjoy performances from local cultural groups, food trucks, nonprofit and Latino vendors, and cultural galleries. • Location: Global Village Welcome Center, Time: 1-5 pm, imcoalition.org

Rocky Ripple Festival Enjoy eclectic live music, artists with unique items for sale, food from local vendors, and beer and wine provided by the Broad Ripple Brewpub. • Location: Hohlt Park, Time: 11 am-6 pm, rockyripple.org

SAT 23–SUN 24 Atlanta New Earth Festival Over 600 vendors offer handmade arts, crafts, antiques, collectibles, amusements and more, plus culinary delights, performances and a free kids zone. • Location: 105 E. Main St. Atlanta, atlantaindiana.com FREE

Carmel International Arts Festival

Features a juried art exhibit of artists from around the world. Visitors of all ages also can enjoy concerts, dance performances and hands-on activities for children. • Location: Carmel Arts & Design District, carmelartsfestival.org

SUN 24 Circulating Sound Concert Series: Indianapolis Trombone

Choir Be ready to come out of your seat for this collaboration of brass instruments that you'll be able to hear even outside of the auditorium! • Location: Central Library, Time: 2 pm, indypl.org FREE

Concert in the Centerpiece: Dream Slice Bring lawn chairs or spread a blanket in the garden’s iconic amphitheater and treat yourself to a special performance in a stately setting like no other. • Location: Coxhall Gardens, Time: 5 pm, hamiltoncounty.in.gov FREE

Suburban Indy Show Kids’ Day

Featuring a kids’ area that will be full of entertainment and fun! • Location: Grand Park Sports Complex, Time: 10 am-5 pm, indyschild.com

PJ Story Time Put on your pajamas, bring your blanket and stuffed animal, and join us for bedtime stories and songs at the library! • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 6:30 pm, wwpl.lib.in.us FREE

Beech Grove Art Festival Stroll through the lovely park grounds and shop with over 50 vendors. There will be live music, open mic, and spoken word performances throughout the day. • Location: Sarah T Bolton Park, Time: 10 am-5 pm, beechgroveartistcollective.com

World Rivers Day Walk Celebrate the White River, which has connected our community through many generations, and still does to this day! Join park staff for a guided walk along the river to learn about our community's rich history with this amazing natural resource. • Location: River Heritage Park, Time: 2-3:30 pm, carmelclayparks.org FREE

MON

25 Family Learn-to-Fish

Workshop Join a park naturalist in a hands-on workshop to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to go fishing. We will start with instruction on the skills and ethics of catch and release fishing, then move outside to practice our new skills with some real fishing. • Location: White River Campground, 9 am, hamiltoncounty.in.gov

TUES 26 Minecraft in Real Life

You’ve played Minecraft on a screen, now it’s time to play it in real life! Enjoy fun Minecraft IRL games and crafts. This program is suitable for ages 8 and up. Registration required. • Location: Fishers Library, Time: 6 pm, hepl.lib.in.us FREE

Movies at Midtown: Elemental

Enjoy an outdoor movie shown on the big video screen in Midtown Plaza. • Location: Midtown Plaza Carmel, Time: Noon & 6 pm, midtownplazacarmel.com

Story Time: Puppet Show with

Colorful Balloons! Enjoy stories, songs, finger-plays, rhymes and puppets. Strengthen early literacy skills and encourage the joy of learning. Each program ends with a fun craft or an activity. • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 10:30 am, wwpl.lib.in.us FREE

WED 27 Family Time: Autumn

Practice pre-literacy skills through play, bounces, tickles, stories, rhymes and songs. We’ll do a simple craft and have free-play time for socialization in the last 10 minutes of our session. Ages newborn-4 years old. • Location: Brownsburg Library, Time: 10 am, bburglibrary.net FREE

Toddler Time: Over the Rainbow

A colorful day of play awaits! Mix and explore c olors and light with hands-on messy projects.

• Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10 am, indianamuseum.org

THURS 28 Late Night Thursdays

Special: Date Night Bring a date and stay out late at the museum! Spice up your night out as you work together on fun art projects like selfportraits. Test your compatibility with couples’ quizzes and game challenges inside our galleries.

• Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 6-8 pm, indianamuseum.org

SAT 30 Chinese Mooncake Festival

Featuring a dragon parade, music, dancing and mooncakes! • Location: Carmel Arts & Design District, Time: 6:30-8:30 pm, carmel.in.gov FREE

Fun with Atlatls An atlatl is a tool used to throw darts and predates the bow and arrow. Bring a friend or just yourself and see if you would be able to bring home dinner using an atlatl. No experience necessary! • Location: Taylor Center of Natural History, Time: 1 pm, hamiltoncounty.in.gov FREE

Mother-Son Campout Enjoy overnight fun in the park! Glow party, hayrides, hiking, campfires, spooky stories and camping. • Location: Arbuckle Acres Park, Time: 3 pm-10 am, brownsburg.org

Peanut Butter & Jam: Musical Conexion To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, make joyful connections through the universal language of music! This fun, bilingual cultural experience is designed for both Spanishspeaking and non-Spanish-speaking families alike, with songs, movements and finger plays in Spanish and English. • Location: The Center for the Performing Arts, Time: 10:30 am, thecenterpresents.org

Stay and Play Come play along and stay for this new program that invites young children and their caregivers for open-ended play and family learning. These two-hour sessions leave plenty of time to explore through sensory play, STEAM activities, and music and movement. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10:30 am, indianamuseum.org

Westfield Pride Celebration Enjoy food trucks, vendors, family-friendly games and activities, music and LGBTQ resources at this first-annual community event! • Location: Asa Bales Park in Westfield, Time: 2-7 pm, linktr.ee/ westfieldpride

SAT 30–SUN 01 Apple Festival & Craft Fair Pick your own apples in the orchard, visit the crafter tent and pumpkin patch, eat tasty apple cobbler or a fried apple pie with ice cream, and play on the playground and giant straw pile! • Location: Anderson Orchard in Mooresville, Time: 8 am8 pm, andersonorchard.com

ONGOING

Sacred Places Sept. 7-April 7, 2024. Learn about the world through the exploration of a dozen locations, focusing on six main sacred places, each representing different faiths. You'll “meet” a young guide from each community who will describe how they feel, what they do, and what they experience when they visit their sacred site. • Location: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, childrensmuseum.org

explore. Combine that with engaging, hands-free activities, spooktacular costumes and trick-ortreating — plus, the chance to boogie-woogie to a live DJ — and you’ve got an unforgettable family tradition. Wed., Thurs. & Sun., 2-7 pm; Fri. & Sat., 2-9 pm. • Location: Indianapolis Zoo, indianapolis zoo.com

Grumpy Old Men Through Oct. 1. Based on the 1993 film, this stage adaptation captures the lovably crotchety characters through twinkling humor and great songs. • Location: Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, beefandboards.com

Vintage Vision: Cars of the 1920s

Through Oct. 15. Indiana was once a mecca of automobile manufacturing and wow, we turned out some beauties. Check out 10 of the hottest rides of the 1920s on loan from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum collection. • Location: Indiana State Museum, indianamuseum.org

Influencing Lincoln: The Pursuit of Black Freedom Through Oct. 29. Discover how the 19th-century Black community — connected through church, business, family, military, education and politics — fought for full citizenship and helped shift President Lincoln’s attitudes (and actions) regarding freedom. • Location: Indiana State Museum, indianamuseum.org

Spark on the Circle Through Nov. 3. A free, fun, playful, welcoming and art-filled park in the heart of Indianapolis. You’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. • Location: Monument Circle, Time: 11 am-Dusk, circlespark.org

Eva Kor from Auschwitz to Indiana Through Feb. 27, 2024. This exhibit tells the remarkable story of Eva Mozes Kor, who survived Auschwitz as a child and the experiments of Dr. Joseph Mengele, and grew up to be one of the most influential Holocaust educators and activists in the world. • Location: Indiana Historical Society, indianahistory.org

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Sept. 20-Oct. 14. Join a memorable gathering of literary giants on a dark and eerie evening as Mary Shelley stitches together her grisly Gothic tale of Victor Frankenstein and his terrifying creation. This galvanic adaptation of the classic novel will thrill and enthrall. • Location: Indiana Repertory Theatre, irtlive.com

ZooBoo Sept. 27-Oct. 31. Enjoy Halloween activities, amazing animals and pumpkins galore! Fall weather means active animals, colorful foliage and a new season to

Chuck Taylor All Star Through Jan. 27, 2025. Charles Hollis Taylor, better known as “Chuck” Taylor — the man behind the name on the Converse All Star shoe — is a Hoosier who devoted his life to basketball, with his fame extending beyond the bounds of the game. This exhibit explores the story of the man and the shoe through a variety of immersive experiences and remarkable artifacts and images. • Location: Indiana Historical Society, indianahistory.org

PLEASE NOTE We work hard to ensure our calendar and guide information is accurate. Occasionally, event specifics change after we go to press. Therefore, we encourage our readers to call locations or visit them on the web to verify information.