Community groups march in the Edinburgh Fall Festival parade. This year’s festival kicked off Wednesday and runs through Saturday.
Summer still has its grip on central Indiana.
Greenery still dominates the trees, and flowers are still blooming in local gardens. T-shirts and shorts continue to be the order of the day as temperatures run in the 70s and 80s. Pools, ponds and lakes remain a perfect way to cool off
But fall isn’t far behind.
Soon, the air will have a nip and the leaves will do their yearly color-changing routine. And already, local communities and attractions are planning on celebrating.
Fall festival season kicks off this week with the Edinburgh Fall Festival, and the festivities continue on through September and October. Enjoy scrumptious festival food, see some of the best live entertainment in the region and bask in everything that makes fall wonderful.
The Edinburgh Fall Festival will be conducted at various downtown sites through Saturday. After an opening ceremony and Sept. 11 tribute on the downtown stage kicked off festivities on Wednesday, the midway and carnival opened to thrill-seekers as well.
The Lions Club will host its annual chicken and ribs meal during the festival at 112 S. Walnut St. Serving times are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Offerings include barbecued chicken or ribs, hot dogs, cole slaw, green beans, applesauce, dessert and a drink. A full meal is $15; petite meal, $10; sandwich meal, $8; sandwich only, $5; hot dog, $2 (free with purchase of full meal); sides or dessert, $3.
The midway and carnival will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, while the baby contest is set for 6 p.m. Thursday at the downtown stage. Entry fee is $5 per baby. Age categories are 0 to 6 months, 7 to 12 months and 13 to 24 months, age as of Sept. 12. A winner will be chosen in each category, as well as best personality, best outfit and an overall winner.
Friday is filled with fun opportunities, with the American Legion fish fry held from 11 a.m. until food sells out at their facility at 500 Memorial Drive. Cost is $8 for a sandwich and side dishes.
The midway and carnival will be open from 5 to 10 p.m., while local rockers 45 RPM takes the downtown stage from 7 to 9 p.m.
All of it serves as a warm-up for the main day of the festival on Saturday. Start your day right with a community breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. at Presbyterian Church, 306 E. Main Cross St.
The Lions Club hosts lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., while the midway and carnival opens at noon, staying active until 10 p.m.
The parade always serves as a centerpiece of the weekend, and this year’s is sure to capture local residents’ nostalgia. The theme is “Reflections of the Blue River Dam,” with local artist Rick Wilson serving as grand marshal.
Cash prizes will be given for best parade entries. Registration forms are available at Edinburgh Wright-Hageman Public Library and John R. Drybread Community Center. The parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday and runs from the high school football field to East Side Elementary School.
The Edinburgh Lions Club will sponsor the annual Prince and Princess Contest to be held during the 2024 Edinburgh Fall Festival. The winners will be crowned Saturday following the parade. Prince and Princess winners will receive a choice of a family membership to Children’s Museum of Indianapolis or the Indianapolis Zoo. Runners-up will receive a bicycle. Best-decorated canister winner will receive a gift card.
Closing out the night, The Rumors Band will rock out from 6 to 9 p.m. on the downtown stage.
