Summer swan song: Concerts, festivals abound leading up to Labor Day weekend

Summer’s days are winding down.

Labor Day weekend traditionally serves as the bridge between a jam-packed summer and all of the fall festivals and activities. Pools and cookouts give way to apple orchards and bonfires.

But over the next 10 days, people will be able to squeeze every last bit of sun-soaked fun from the season.

Hear a full slate of community bands from throughout the region in the heart of Old Town Greenwood. Stock up on the summer’s bounty at farmers markets in Bargersville, Edinburgh, Trafalgar, Greenwood, Whiteland and Franklin.

Enjoy ales, lagers, porters and sours paired with rock music during the inaugural Beer and Band Fest, put on by Greenwood’s Hoosier Brewing Co.

Concerts in the Park

Details: Noon to 8 p.m. today, Greenwood Amphitheater; free admission

What: Celebrate the joys of community music with this day-long concert featuring eight bands from throughout the state. Enjoy a variety of volunteer-made music from a diverse group of bands, such as Lake Area Community Band, Bloomington Community Band, Directors Jazz Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphonic Band, Zionsville Concert Band and the West Indy Winds. The festival kicks off with a performance by 38th Infantry Band, plus flags and colors presented by the Whiteland and Franklin Color Guard. And to wrap the whole event up, the host Greater Greenwood Community Band will perform last. Enjoy hot food from the grill, plus cold drinks and snacks. Free shuttles will be transporting guests and performers between the venue and the parking lots.

Farm-fresh food

Details: 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, 24 N. Main St., Bargersville; 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, John R. Drybread Community Center, 100 E. Main Cross St., Edinburgh; 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, 549 Main St., Whiteland; 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, 525 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood; 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, 5 E. Jefferson St., Franklin

What: Few things beat the taste of an ear of Indiana sweet corn, a juicy locally grown tomato or a crisp bell pepper picked that morning. Those fresh flavors won’t be around for much longer, so stop into farmers markets around the county to stock up for your cookout. In addition to produce, find burgers, sausages and other grill-worthy meat from local producers, plus flowers, sweets and prepared food to sate your holiday weekend hunger.

Beer and Band Fest

Details: 3 p.m. Sept. 3, Greenwood Amphitheater; $49 general admission, $89 VIP entrance at 2 p.m., $20 concert-only admission at 6 p.m.; beerandbandfest.com

What: Downtown Greenwood becomes a beer-lovers paradise during the inaugural Beer and Band Fest. Organized by Hoosier Brewing Co., the event features more than 30 breweries from all over Indiana and the Midwest pouring their standard-bearing brews and unique fan favorites. In between the beer, enjoy entertainment by Wheatus, the New York-based band riding a wave of TikTok popularity after their their seminal alt-rock song “Teenage Dirtbag” has become a viral sensation 22 years after its release. Tommy Kelly Band and Pushing Daisies Band open up the show.

Go for a dip

Details: Franklin Family Aquatic Center, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday, Sept. 3-5, 396 Branigin Blvd.; Freedom Springs, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday through Sept. 5., 850 W. Stop 18 Road, Greenwood

What: The next two weekends offer pool sharks of all kinds the last opportunities to take a dip this year. Plummet down the 190-feet slide or enjoy 16 interactive play features at the Franklin Family Aquatic Center. Soak up the sun on the lazy river at Freedom Springs. Take advantage of the last chances to beat that late-summer heat by lounging in the cool water.

Raise an anniversary toast at Mallow Run

Details: Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Mallow Run Winery, 6964 W. Whiteland Road, Bargersville.

What: One of the jewels in the county’s tourism scene is Mallow Run Winery, which has been its hub for locally produced wine, live entertainment and other activities. People can help celebrate the winery’s anniversary with a full weekend of free fun. Enjoy live music from The DOO! from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, the Nauti Yachtys from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and Blue River Band from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday. Food trucks such as MoBowl, Daddy’s Dogs and Chompz will be on site, and of course, guests can enjoy glasses or bottles from Mallow Run’s expansive wine list.

All IN Music and Arts Festival

Details: 1 p.m. to midnight Sept. 3 and 4, Indiana State Fairgrounds; two-day general admission, $199.50; one-day general admission, $109.50; allinfestival.com

What: There’s only one place this Labor Day weekend to find Hall & Oates, Death Cab for Cutie, the Four Tops and Lucinda Williams, as well as dozens of other unique and varied acts. Indianapolis’ newest music festival brings some of the best touring acts from across the decades, from the 1960s to today, on stage over the course of two days. Of particular note are two unique “Dreamset” acts. The Allman Brothers Band Dreamset, featuring former members of the band as well as all-star musicians from Widespread Panic, String Cheese Incident and the Allman Betts Band. To honor Tom Petty, the band Dawes, singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis, John Oates of Hall & Oates, and a range of other musicians will perform as well.

Indy LaborFest

Details: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 3, Monument Circle, downtown Indianapolis

What: The long holiday weekend is a chance to relax and kick back. But it’s also important to remember that the reason we have Labor Day is to recognize the work and sacrifice of the labor movement to improve conditions for workers. Celebrate local workers during this free event with special activities, live music, food trucks, beer from Sun King Brewing and a massive kids’ zone.