By Paige Langenderfer
Wine, beer, food, art, movies and live music … what’s not to love about spending summer days and nights in the streets? When temperatures rise, the southside is hopping with good times. Here, we offer a lineup of the coming concerts, parties and movie nights in your neighborhood.
2014 Summer Concert Series » Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to the Greenwood Amphitheater and settle in on the lawn for a Saturday night concert. Schedule: Toy Factory, June 14; Park Avenue Band, June 21; Karma, July 5; Blue River Band, July 12; Tastes Like Chicken, July 19; Parrots of the Caribbean, July 26; Jayne Bond and the Pink Martinis, Aug. 2; My Yellow Rickshaw, Aug. 23; Indy Nile, Aug. 30. Location: Greenwood Amphitheater, 300 S. Washington St., Greenwood Cost: Free Information:(317) 881-4545
Smoke on the Square » Discover Downtown Franklin presents the fourth annual Smoke on the Square barbecue competition on June 27 and 28. More than 20 professional barbecue teams from all over the Midwest will compete to earn points toward a national championship. Team creations in four categories (pork shoulder, chicken, pork ribs and brisket) are submitted and judged. For a fee, visitors can taste samples and vote for their favorite. The event will also feature live music, including the bands Blue River Band and Woomblies. Location: Franklin town square Date: June 27-28 Cost: Free; fee for tasting Information: (317) 346-1258 or discoverdowntownfranklin.com
Greenwood Freedom Festival » The 30th annual Freedom Festival takes place June 28 at Craig Park. Held from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., the event features live music, children’s entertainment, local vendors, games, food and crafts, as well as a 10 a.m. parade and a fireworks show at 10 p.m. Location:Craig Park, 10 E. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood Date: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 28 Cost: Free. Concessions available for purchase. Information: (317) 881-8527 or greenwoodfreedomfestival.com
Starlight Movie Night » The Greenwood Parks & Recreation Department has teamed with the Greenwood Public Library to bring “The Lego Movie” to the Old City Park on July 11. The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 8 p.m. with games, trivia and raffle prizes before the movie, which begins at dusk. Popcorn will be available for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Location: Old City Park, 304 S. Meridian St., Greenwood Date: 8 p.m. July 11 Cost: Free Information: (317) 885-5036
Daily Journal Street Party » The Daily Journal hosts a street party on July 11 in celebration of the newspaper’s 50th anniversary and its recent move into a renovated historic building in downtown Franklin. The event is free and will include live music by Flatbed Twitch, as well as events for children. Concessions will be available for purchase. Location: Water and Monroe streets, downtown Franklin Date: 5 to 11 p.m. July 11 Cost: Free with concessions available for purchase Information: (317) 736-7101
Johnson County Fair » The annual Johnson County Fair takes place July 13 through 19 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds and features 4-H competitions, numerous food vendors, a fireworks show, carnival rides and grandstand events, including a truck and tractor pull, hog wrestling, go kart races and drag races. Location: Johnson County Fairgrounds, 250 Fairground St., Franklin Date: July 13-19 Cost: Parking is $5 per car. Concessions, carnival games and rides, and grandstand events available for purchase. Information: (317) 738-3247 or johnsoncountyfair.com
WAMMfest » Greenwood’s annual WAMMfest will be held on Aug. 16 in Craig Park. The event, open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., is set to feature food, wine, art and live music. Peruse photography, jewelry, pottery and more at vendor booths and sample wine and beer from dozens of Indiana wineries and microbreweries on hand. Location: Craig Park, 10 E. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood Date: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 16 Cost: $10 advance price (prior to midnight Aug. 15), $15 day of the event. Children 6 and younger are free. Information: (317) 881-7575 or wammfest.com
