Local Events

By Christia Woodford

Is there a local event for the special needs community you would like us to promote in an upcoming issue? Email us at SpecialNeedsIndy@n2pub.com.

Important Note: Prior to attending any events, please be mindful of any Covid-19 restrictions. Please review the state mask executive order. There are exemptions within the order, including that children under 2 years of age should not wear a face-covering due to risk of suffocation, and any person with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that precludes wearing a face covering is not required to do so. Since Covid-19 is still among us, there is a possibility that the events listed and places to go could be canceled, rescheduled, or closed. Please confirm event status and listed details in case event details have changed since posting.

Note: Don’t forget to apply for the Access Pass! The Access Pass Program allows families that meet the specific requirements listed below to visit The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and all participating locations for $2 per family member per visit for up to two adults and all dependent youths living in the household. Qualifications include the following:

Hoosier Healthwise Insurance (Indiana’s health care program for low-income families, pregnant women, and children). SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). Apply here: https://www. childrensmuseum.org/visit/hours/ access-pass.

Museums

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis STEM Exploration Day Sept. 10, 2022 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunburst Atrium Discover the girl power that changed science and history forever! Learn from women in various STEM professions including paleontology, chemistry, and engineering. Explore their work with hands-on activities, talks, and demonstrations. Collect STEM giveaways while supplies last.

Fiesta de la Familia: A Celebration of Latin American Cultures Sept. 25, 2022 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Join us for Fiesta de la Familia as we honor children and celebrate Latin American cultures. Free programming is available throughout the museum. Live music in the Sunburst Atrium. Free activities showcasing folk art from different Latin American countries. Learn from local organizations. Various Events Sept. 1 – Sept. 30 Opens at 10 a.m. 3000 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46208 317-334-4000 https://www.childrensmuseum.org/ visit/calendar?date=01/08/2022

Conner Prairie – Indiana’s Living History Museum Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival Sept. 9 – 11 7:20 a.m. – 9 a.m. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Free events: Sept. 10 and 11: Join us at dawn to cheer on your favorite balloons as pilots fill the sky in exciting competitions, with a grand champion announced after Sunday’s final race! General admission into Conner Prairie: On Sept. 10, purchase General Admission tickets to spark your curiosity as you explore the grounds of Conner Prairie and encounter programs and experiences dedicated to the innovation and science of flight, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Jupiter Flights balloon glow: Sept. 9: Join us in kicking off our spectacular weekend filled with hot air balloons! From 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. watch as the balloons fly on target and enjoy live music from Stella Luna and the Satellites from 6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Stay for our evening balloon glow featuring bounce houses and fun activities for the whole family. Sept. 10:

Come back to the Prairie from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. and enjoy a new set of balloons as they fly on target. This special evening features live music from Toy Factory from 6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., bounce houses and activities for the whole family. Cap the night with a balloon glow featuring colorful balloons from around Indiana and beyond.

Exclusive to the festival! Experience our new Headless Horseman corn maze before it opens to the public. https://www.connerprairie.org/ jupiter-flights-balloon-festival/

Sensory-Friendly Hours The second Sunday of every month, from 10 a.m. to noon, will be Sensory- Friendly Hours at Conner Prairie! Enjoy a calm environment. Check-in with Guest Relations stating that you are here for Sensory-Friendly Hours. You will get free admission and may stay as long as you wish.

Various events Sept. 1 through 30 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038 Phone: 317-776-6000 or 800-966-1836 https://www.connerprairie.org/ events/list/

Sports

Indianapolis Colts Sept. 25 Kansas City Chiefs Lucas Oil Stadium 500 S. Capitol Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46225 https://www.lucasoilstadium.com/

Indy Eleven Sept. 3, 10, 17, 25, 28 Carroll Stadium, Indianapolis, IN https://www.ticketmaster.com/ indy-eleven-vs-new-york-redindianapolis-indiana-05-21-2022/ event/05005C3FBFB5483D

Indianapolis Indians Sept. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 Victory Field, Indianapolis, IN https://tickets-center.com/search/ Indianapolis-Indians-tickets/

Family Fun

All IN Music & Arts Festival Sept. 3 – Sept. 4, 2022 Indiana State Fair Grounds 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205 Join in the dawn of a new Midwest tradition. The All IN Music & Arts Festival is excited to bring an exceptional festival experience to the heart of Indianapolis, kicking off the inaugural event with a limited-capacity boutique experience unlike anything before. The perfect blend of great music, great food, and great drinks, the All IN Festival will feature a curated selection of local food and beverages, a giant beer garden with local craft breweries, cocktail bars, and more. From the sounds of Motown soul to classic rock roots, from the pop hits of the ‘80s to the boisterous Americana of today, the All IN lineup is made up of the most beloved artists of all time. These are the artists and the songs we all love! https://www.indianastatefair.com/ events/2022/all-in-music--arts-festival

Indianapolis Zoo Teddy Bear Clinic Sept 10, 9 – 11 a.m. Ascension St. Vincent Dolphin Gallery If your cubs dream of one day becoming a veterinarian, this event is for you! Stuffed animals can be important members of the family, too! So bring in your favorite teddy bear or stuffed animal for a checkup. Learn how to care for your plush friends and get a Certificate of Beary Good Health from one of our Zoo veterinarians. Plus, meet members of our animal care team and find out what it takes to keep our whole furry family healthy. This event is just for Zoo members and there’s no RSVP required! Just drop into the clinic inside the Ascension St. Vincent Dolphin Gallery anytime between 9 and 11 a.m.

Various events are scheduled daily Check the calendar for events. https://www.indianapoliszoo.com/visit/ daily-schedule/ 1200 West Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46222 317-630-2001 HOURS: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon.-Thur., and 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Fri.-Sun. and holidays.

The Studio Movie Grill 3535 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46268 317-315-8113 Sensory-friendly screenings of movies! Check the website for movies and times. https://www.studiomoviegrill.com/ movie/special-needs-screenings

The Arts

Beef and Boards Escape to Margaritaville Aug. 18 – Oct. 2 9301 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, I N 46268 317-872-9664 https://www.beefandboards.com/ Online/default.asp

Jubilate Choir Butler University, Lilly Hall, Room 133 Wednesdays, 6:45 – 7:30 p.m. Director: Lauren Southard Start Date: Sept. 22, 2021 For more information, contact Lauren Southard at 317-940-8065 or lsouthar@icchoir.org.

Gigi’s Playhouse Various classes during the week. 5909 E. 86th St. Indianapolis, IN 46250 317-288-8235 indy@gigisplayhouse.org

Events

Special Needs Living 1205 Distillery North Our events are every Tuesday in September: 6, 13, 20, and 27. The hours of operation are 4 :30 p.m. – 10 p.m. 120 Camilla Ct (behind the car dealership) Westfield 46074 Lu Dog’s Grilled Dogs will be there every week. Mini Sweets will be there on the 13 and 27. Becky the Bakester will be there on Sept. 20. We will have a 50/50 and a raffle every week. Musical entertainment each week and fund raiser cocktails.

Gigi’s Playhouse 3.21 Run – 1 Mile Walk- Kids Dash For Down Syndrome Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 Starts at: 2 p.m. EST Ends at: 6 p.m. EST Forest Park, 701 Cicero Road, Noblesville, IN 46060

Ready! Get fit! Build a team!

Build more acceptance for kids and adults with Down syndrome! We can’t wait to run, walk, dash and celebrate with you! This family-friendly afternoon event will be rockin’ with new friends, returning families, great food and music, and huge hearts! Don’t miss out!

Your generous donations will fund new programs like GiGiFit, existing programs like LMNOP, Preschool Prep, GiGi U, a new phonics curriculum for vital programs like 1-on-1 Literacy Tutoring, and more! https://support.gigisplayhouse.org/gigifitacceptance-challenge-2022/event/ indianapolis-in Various events scheduled everyday https://gigisplayhouse.org/ indianapolis/sfcalendar/

Autism Community Connection (ACC ) Trivia Night (Greenwood) Sept. 10, 2022 | 6 p.m. (doors open) | Moose Lodge Greenwood 13 Smith Valley Road, Greenwood, IN 46142 Our annual fundraiser, Trivia Night is a great night of fun playing trivia with friends, having a delicious meal, vying for special raffle baskets, and raising money to support those affected by autism in the community!

Must be over 21 years old to attend. Table Registration is now open! https://autismcc-in.org/event/ acc-trivia-night-greenwood-2

Connections Case Management, Hometown Waiver Solutions, and Outward Bound Support Services Resource Fair Sept. 10th, 2022, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Knights of Columbus at 809 E Main St. New Albany CCM will be hosting, and our hope for this event is to provide community resources to Floyd, Clark and surrounding counties for families and individuals with disabilities. We will be having an interactive area for music therapy and recreation therapy, hopefully. We would love for your organization to be a part of the event and have a booth. Is this something you would be interested in? The cost will be free to attendees and vendors. We are asking for each booth to raffle off an item of their choice for the event. If there is someone specific in your organization that I need to speak with, please let me know and I can contact them directly. The link to register is https://forms. office.com/r/U2BZxG4Jen.

Family2Family Family2Family is hosting a virtual workshop on Government Benefits, Guardianship and Employment. Sept. 12 Register at training@f2f.org

Indiana Resource Center for Autism’s 2nd Annual Virtual Autism Conference Sept. 22, 2022 Join us for the IRCA’s second annual Virtual Autism Conference! Speakers will address a range of topics relevant to those across the autism spectrum and across the age span.

Hosted by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism. This conference will feature keynote speakers Jed Baker, Ph.D., and Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D. In addition to our keynotes, we will have a variety of breakout sessions addressing a range of topics relevant to those across the autism spectrum and across the age span. Topics include behavior, practical educational strategies used in schools, mental health and ASD, adults with ASD panel/presentation, social skills, executive functioning, transition planning, adult services, and more. For more details and registration, visit: https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/newsand-events/irca-autism-conference.html Cost is $90 USD for participants, $50 USD for family members and individuals, and free for first presenters.

Special Needs Living Parent Empowerment Day Sept 17, 1 – 5 p.m. White River Christian Church 1685 North 10th St. Noblesville, IN 46060 Special Needs Living invites you to join parents and caregivers of special needs individuals for a day of encouragement and connections.

No matter where you are in your journey, we invite you to join us. This is put on by parents and caregivers for parents and caregivers. The goal of this day is to take you from surviving to thriving. There will be personal stories shared, round table discussions and many connection opportunities available throughout the day.

Mom and dad perspective, self-care and mindfulness, perspectives from parents with young kids, teen kids and adults with special needs. Breakouts for how to sustain your marriage while raising a special needs child. How to find your tribe and support in the special needs community as a single parent or caregiver. A panel breakout for how to best navigate through the waiver for kids and one for parents who have adult kids on the waiver. We will have a message to talk about how to thrive and easy-to-do mindfulness activities throughout the event. We will end with a Food Truck Social, where everyone is welcome to stay, grab something to eat and continue to connect with people from the event. This event will be in person. We will have virtual options available. The event is free thanks to White River Christian Church, Special Needs Living and the supporters. We hope to see you there. We hope you leave feeling like you can thrive and that you have a community with many connections, resources, and support! Hope to see you there! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ special-needs-living-empowermentday-tickets-358772416957

Indiana Walk to Defeat ALS Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 Walk Check-in: 9 a.m. Walk Start: 10 a.m. Celebration Park – Indiana State Fairgrounds 1202 E 38th St. Indianapolis, IN 46205 Avery Smith avery@alsindiana.org 317-601-3718 https://secure2.convio. net/alsa/site/TR/Walks/ Indiana?pg=entry&fr_id=15120

Second Annual Southside Disability and Resource Fair Greenwood Public Library, Connections Case Management, Inspire Case Management and Putnam County Comprehensive Services Saturday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Greenwood Library 310 S. Meridian St. Greenwood Food Trucks – Interactive Acivities – Vendors – Raffles – Sensory Room Over 45 agencies. Questions? info@connections-in.com https://fb.me/e/1K445g|7H

The 2022 Heart to Heart Conference Sept. 29, 2022 The conference is once again virtual. Heart to Heart was created to provide families and those caring for or serving children or youth with additional health or education needs or disabilities information in a language they can understand. As parents of children with additional health and education needs, we understand the unique challenges you face and consider Heart to Heart an extension of the one-on-one support we provide families across Indiana. https://whova.com/portal/registration/ hthc_202209/