Participants play a match during the Wicket World of Croquet at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis in 2022. This year’s event, scheduled for Saturday, features both competitive and leisure tournaments, as well as general admission for spectators.
Get your mallets and wickets ready — it’s time to play croquet.
Over the weekend, players from all over central Indiana will flock to the grounds of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site to square off in the gentlemanly — and gentlewomanly — yard game. Donning their brightest whites, they’ll knock their balls around the manicured grounds until only one team remains.
Not only are they vying for victory, but they’re helping the presidential site carry on its legacy of education and engagement.
The community will come together in their finest dress whites for the Wicket World of Croquet on Saturday. Spread out on the newly renovated south lawn at the presidential site, both competitive and for-leisure players will test their skills with the mallet.
“It’s such a striking scene — we have the vivid green of the grass and then everybody is dressed in white. It’s just a fantastic scene,” said Lindsey Beckley, special events and marketing manager for the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.
Others will hang back and watch the action unfold, enjoying food and drinks from some of the region’s best eateries, breweries and more.
The atmosphere will be one of friendly competition, with the real prize being the support for the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s myriad of programs.
“All of the proceeds go to supporting our mission of increasing public participation in the American system of government, and our civics education programs,” Beckley said. “As the home of our president, we think it’s important that both our young people, and everybody, understands their civic duty.”
The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is part museum, part education center and part event space. Centered around the Indianapolis home of Harrison, the 23rd U.S. president and only one from Indiana, the site is open to the public as an educational and historical service.
Organizers also seek to promote patriotism and citizenship through appropriate educational activities, as well as by exhibiting the Victorian time period as Harrison and his family might have experienced it.
By using the example Harrison exhibited through his life, staff at the site hope to help people better understand our history.
“Harrison put into effect the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance in schools, and the flying of the American flag in front of all municipal buildings,” Beckley said. “He was very much a proponent of civility and civics education, so we really take that as part of our mission to increase that.”
With the completion of $6 million capital improvements project, the organization has better suited the entire presidential site campus for community events — including the Wicket World of Croquet.
The event has been going on for 29 years, founded as a fundraiser after a volunteer at the historical landmark envisioned revisiting a day of leisure as it would have been in the 19th century.
“It’s appropriate to the time period of when Benjamin Harrison and was very popular with the Victorians and Gilded Age folks,” Beckley said. “I don’t know that we have any proof that Harrison played, but it would have been very popular at the time.”
Two tournaments will be going on simultaneously. One is aimed at serious players in a competitive bracket, while another leisure bracket caters to those more interested in enjoying a drink and a lovely day rather than winning.
“Even if you’ve never played before, we’ve got you covered. It’s just for fun, and you have can have a great time out on the lawn and enjoy the scenery,” Beckley said.
Players will take part in at least four games, with the possibility of more if they advance to the playoff round. The winner of the tournament gets their name etched into the coveted silver Virginia B. Willkie trophy.
The event is also open to those who simply want to watch. The Porch Party provides the perfect opportunity to sip on delightful refreshments from local favorites such as Sun King, Sip & Share Wines, and Hi & Mighty distillers. Food will be available from Black Lemon, Black Leaf Vegan and BEAST burgers.
Flourishes such as stilt walkers and on-site painting will add to the atmosphere, Beckley said.
“You’ll be able to bid on the paintings as they’re painting it,” she said.
IF YOU GO
Wicket World of Croquet
What: A fundraising croquet tournament and event to benefit the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. People can sign up to compete or be spectators, taking advantage of food and beverage vendors. In addition to trophies, an award will be given for Best Dressed.
When: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis
Cost: $200 for teams of two in both competitive and leisure tournaments; $50 for a Promenade Pass to include food and drink; $10 for general admission.
Information: bhpsite.org/events/wicket-world-of-croquet-2023
