LOCAL EVENTS

BY CHRISTIA WOODFORD

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. You qualify if you receive:

• 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

First Thursday Nights

The first Thursday of every month, 4:00 PM-8:00 PM. Go back in time to the Age of the Dinosaurs and explore the basics of science through fun, hands-on activities in Dinosaur

Train: The Traveling Exhibition

Travel to Greece without leaving Indiana in Take Me There®: Greece

Uncover ancient artifacts in National Geographic Treasures of the Earth

https/www.childrensmuseum.org/visit/ calendar/event/273/2023-04-06

Various Events

Sept.1- Sept. 30, Opens at 10 AM 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208, 317-334-4000 https/www.childrensmuseum.org

Conner Prairie — Indiana’s Living History Museum

Sensory-Friendly Hours

The second Sunday of every month, from 10 AM to noon, are sensoryfriendly 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- Sept. 30

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

SPORTS

Indianapolis Indians

Sept. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

Victory Field, 501 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis, IN 46225 https/ www.milb.com/indianapolis

Indy Eleven

Sept. 2, 24, 30

IU Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium 1001 W New York St Indianapolis IN 46202. 317-274-9749 http/ www.indyeleven.com

Indiana Fever

Sept. 1, 5, 10

Gainbridge Fieldhouse

125 S Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46204 https/fever.wnba.com/

Indianapolis Colts

Sept. 10 Jaguars, Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46225 https/ www.colts.com/schedule/

FAMILY FUN

Indianapolis Zoo ZooBoo

Sept. 27- Oct. 31, 2:00 pm7:00 pm open until 9:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays

Is regular October too humdrum, but haunted houses too creepy-crawly?

Come to the Zoo for Halloween activities, amazing animals and pumpkins galore!

ZooBoo is a fun family experience for itty-bitty ghouls and goblins as well as the bigger kids. October weather means active animals, colorful foliage and a new season to explore. Combine that with engaging, hands-free activities,

spooktacular costumes and trick-ortreating, and you’ve got an unforgettable family tradition. Woo-hoo! Best of all, ZooBoo is free for Zoo members and included with regular admission.

Pumpkin Town

The Bicentennial Pavilion is home to a whimsical village where the ghoulish DJ keeps guests on their toes with thriller dance parties! Jack’s Barn houses cats and Agape therapeutic miniature horses for a not-so-scary interaction. The Mirror Maze makes a haunting return with thrills and smiles hidden behind every corner.

More ZooBoo Fun

• Meet the Leeward Sisters – Terra, Wisp and Bubbles conjure up some Halloween magic in their cauldron

• Scarecrow Photo Safari – Bring your cameras for a spooky guided adventure through the Forests

• Trick-or-Treat Trail including 8 treat stations in the Plains

• Adult Trick-or-Treat Trail presented by Zink Distributing Friday and Saturday from 5-8pm (while supplies last)

• Roller Ghoster Indianapolis’ only roller coaster with a fun, Halloween twist!

• Round-Go-Merry the carousel that moves in reverse. Open until 7pm

• Spooktacular Train Ride Enjoy a ride for a special view of the Zoo behind the scenes. Open until 7pm

• Gator Pirate Bayou – Arrr! The shipwrecked Boney Scute Pirate crew are looking for new recruits. Try your luck in their pirate themed games to test your skills as a pirate. Will you join the crew or walk the plank?

• Aunty Guzzle’s Potions – Help Aunty Guzzle create tasty and bizarre Halloween concoctions with potions, witchcraft and “magical ingredients.” Located at Cafe on the Commons https/www. indianapoliszoo.com/events/zooboo/

Various events are scheduled daily

Check the calendar for events.

https/www.indianapoliszoo. com/visit/daily-schedule/ 1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46222

317-630-2001 9 AM - 5 PM, Mon. - Thur., and 9 AM - 7 PM, 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

Grumpy Old Men August 24- October 31 9301 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268 317-872-9664 https/www.beefandboards. com/Online/default.asp

Jubilate Choir

Butler University, Lilly Hall, Room 133 Wednesdays, 6:45-7:30 PM

The Jubilate Choir is for singers with special needs in grades 3-9. Singers with varying abilities meet each week to grow musically. This tuition-free choir focuses on proper singing techniques, music theory and sight-reading, partsinging, and social skills involved in being a member of a musical ensemble. Though Jubilate has, at its core, the same goals as other choirs in the Indianapolis Children’s Choir (ICC), singers in Jubilate engage in additional activities like visual and tactile experiences that are catered specifically to the current members of the choir.

Director: Lauren Southard

For more information, contact Lauren Southard at 317-940-8065 or lsouthar@icchoir. org. https/icchoir.org/special-needs/

Gigi’s Playhouse

Various classes during the week. 5909 E. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46250 317-288-8235

indy@gigisplayhouse.org https/gigisplayhouse.org/ indianapolis/sfcalendar/

Events

Puppies & Ponies Polo at Sunset

Hosted by Herd of Hope Therapies Sept. 8, 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm

Hickory Hall Polo Club, 7551 E 100 N, Whitestown, IN 46075

Join us for our third annual Puppies & Ponies Polo Match! We are partnering with ICAN again this year to host a sunset polo match at Hickory Hall Polo Club. The evening will be filled with fun, food, and a thrilling match!

Admission: $40 per car

VIP Boxes Available through Herd of Hope

Airplane flyover @ halftime with candy drop (weather permitting) https/www.herdofhopetherapy. org/events

GiGiFIT 3.21 Fun Run hosted by GiGi’s Playhouse

Sept. 9, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm

Dr. James A. Dillon Park, 6351 Midland Lane, Noblesville, IN 46062

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 & music, and HUGE HEARTS! Don’t miss out! our generous donations will fund NEW programs like GiGi’s Kitchen Kids and GiGiFIT Kids & Teen, existing programs like LMNOP, Teen Tastic, EPIC, new phonics curriculum for vital programs like 1-on-1 Literacy Tutoring, and more! Register at https/support. gigisplayhouse.org/gigifit-acceptancechallenge-2023/event/indianapolisgigifit-acceptance-challenge-2023

Grant Regional Disability Resource Fair

Sept. 9, 11:00 am- 2:00 pm

Carey Services, 2724 S Carey St, Marion, IN 46953

The 1st Annual Grant Regional Disability Resource Fair will provide information about community resources and services for individuals with disabilities and their families. Exhibitors will talk about the services and resources to assist individuals and families. There will be interactive areas for music and recreation therapy food trucks and more!

Trivia Night! Hosted by Autism Community Connections

Sept. 9, Doors open at 6:00 pm

Moose Lodge, 813 W. Smith Valley Rd, Greenwood, IN 46142

Join us for our annual fundraiser. Trivia Night is 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! Trivia Night will have special games throughout the night like Heads and Tails, Wine Grab & Go, Barrel of Booze and more. It’s time to create your trivia teams and start gathering your teammates! All reservations include dinner and dessert. Table for 8 guests is $400. Individual guest tickets is $50. All guests must be over 21 years old to attend. Register at https/autismcc-in.org/trivia-night/

My Autism Ally Autism Acceptance Walk

Sept. 15, 10:00 am- 3:30 pm

Allen County Fairgrounds, 2726 Carroll Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46818

Create a team and join us RAIN OR SHINE!

It’s an afternoon of activities and resources for the whole family- including supports for those of all ages on the autism spectrum. It’s free to park and attend so come out for the fun; food indoor vendor fair, crafts, game,s music, play, pony rides, petting zoo, sensory exploration, cosplay- princess and superheroes, local team mascots, touch a truck - including first responder vehicles. This year’s unity walk will start at 3pm. The event will end after the walk is completed. Register at https/www.myautismally. org/autism-acceptance-walk

Self-Advocates Annual Picnic!

Sept. 15, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm

Hummel Park, Charleston Pavilion, 5373 S. County Road 700 East, Plainfield, IN Register here: https/www.saind. org/event/sai-annual-picnic/

2023 Step Out Walk to Stop

Diabetes Indiana

Sept. 16, 9:00 am- 12:00 pm

Grand Park Sports Campus, 19000

Grand Park Blvd Westfield, IN 46074

Registration—7:30 -9:00 am

Program—9:00 - 9:15 am

Walk Starts—9:15am

5K Walk around Grand Park; Casual, non-timed 5K walk with Rest Stops

We love our pets, but for this walk your dog has to stay home.

Easy Access Parking in Parking

Lot E. Parking is free and right beside the walk location https/diabetes.org/get-involved/ community/local-offices/indiana

Down Right Perfect Ride Poker Run

Benefiting The Lucky Mama Project of Down Syndrome Indiana

Sept. 23, 10:30 am registration12:00 pm kickstands up- final destination auction 4:00 pm Southside Harkey Davidson, 4930 Southport Crossing Pl, Indianapolis, IN 46237 Kicking off Down Syndrome Awareness Month Early! Silent auction, 50/50 raffle and more! $20.00 for riders and $10.00 for passengers. Visit www. downrightperfectride.org

2023 Heart To Heart Virtual Conference

Presented by Indiana Family to Family

Sept. 23

Our annual conference is an opportunity for families and professionals to learn and connect in support of children and youth who require additional health and education support. Registration is free and will open on June 1, 2023. Visit this site regularly for updates, to view the agenda and more! If you have questions or want to learn more about the event or ways to get involved, contact our team.

To Register and additional information https/www.inf2f.org/ heart-to-heart-conference.html

Southside Disability Resource Fair

Sept. 30, 11:00 am- 2:00 pm Greenwood Public Library, 310 S Meridian St, Greenwood, IN 46143

The 3rd Annual Southside Disability Resource Fair will provide information about community resources and services for individuals with disabilities and their families. Exhibitors will talk about the services and resources to assist individuals and families. There will be interactive areas for music and recreation therapy food trucks and more!

Hosted by: Greenwood Public Library, Connections Case Management, Self Advocates of Indiana, Inspire Case Management and Putnam County Comprehensive Services https/connectionsin.com/events

2023 Buddy Walk Indy

Oct. 7th, 9:00 am

Celebration Plaza White River State Park, 801 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Please join us for Buddy Walk

Indy! Registration begins at 9:00am with opening ceremonies beginning at 10:00am. A day of inspiration and celebration, the walk brings together the Down syndrome community all while raising funds to support the mission of Down Syndrome Indiana. Down Syndrome Indiana is a one-stop-shop for information and resources on Down syndrome. The programs it offers are intended to promote the inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome in their greater community, as well as to offer support and information to families, caregivers, educators, employers and the professionals who serve individuals with Down syndrome. Register at: https://charity.pledgeit.org/ BuddyWalkIndy

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.