Do you realize how fortunate we are to live or work, or both, in Hendricks County? Working for Visit Hendricks County and volunteering to help with our county’s bicentennial celebration this year, I’ve become increasingly aware of what a blessing and privilege it is.
With that said, I’m excited to share all the wonderful activities and events you can enjoy this summer.
What’s New in 2024
If you haven’t heard, we have an exciting new entertainment and event venue in downtown Plainfield. Hendricks Live! provides an experience we were lacking in our county. Events, activities and acts continue to be announced regularly as they fill the 2024 lineup.
I was fortunate enough to get a hard-hat tour before it opened, and what an amazing, state-of-the-art facility! They thought of everything, and I can’t wait to experience a performance there soon.
Another fun entertainment venue that just opened in The Shops at Perry Crossing, LumberjAXE provides an innovative axe-throwing experience as targets are projected onto the wood in front of you. Choose what’s projected, such as an old school bullseye or games like Tic Tac Toe or Zombie Assassin. The software makes it challenging and allows visitors a great selection of games.
While this is an old favorite, Splash Island Family Waterpark will look different when it opens later this month. The outdoor water park is currently undergoing an $8-million-plus renovation that will add more slides and bring many other improvements to its visitors when it opens Memorial Day weekend.
Would you like to be more in the know about all the latest happenings in our county? You can subscribe to our Hendricks County Weekly Insider at visithendrickscounty.com.
Finally, the bicentennial will become a running theme throughout 2024. Organizations, businesses and even individuals are developing projects that leave a legacy, hosting both new and existing events with some kind of historic or celebratory theme related to our county’s 200 years. So, get out there and help us celebrate. You can learn so much more about the bicentennial online at hendricks200.com.
Top Summer Events
It truly is an exciting year for events in Hendricks County, especially over the next four months! I’m not going to cover all our summer events here. Consider this a sampling of our most notable events For simplicity, I have put them in chronological order.
Hendricks County Rib-Fest & BBQ
When: June 29
Where: Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex in Danville
Details: This long-running festival will have a revival of sorts, as the Hendricks County Bicentennial Steering Committee has partnered with organizers to bring live entertainment back to this popular event. Participants can expect the same fun that has made this festival a local favorite including great food, children’s activities, fireworks and so much more.
Hendricks County 4-H Fair
When: July 14-20
Where: Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex in Danville
Details: You can expect usual fair favorites including exhibits, animals, carnival rides, fair food and demonstrations. There will be a distinct history-meets-birthday feel, as this year’s theme will center around our county’s 200 years.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series TSport 200
When: July 19
Where: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Brownsburg
Details: Get ready for a heart-pounding return as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series comes back to IRP for a third consecutive year. The excitement kicks off with the TSport 200 under the dazzling lights on Friday, accompanied by the ARCA Menards Series Reese’s 200, setting the stage for a premier week of auto racing action in Indianapolis.
NHRA U.S. Nationals
When: August 28-September 2
Where: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Brownsburg
Details: Rev your engines for the 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals, a long-standing tradition at IRP over Labor Day weekend. If you’ve never been because you don’t consider yourself a race fan, don’t let that deter you from taking in this bucket-list event. This will easily be the most powerful and sensory-filled attraction you will ever experience if you give it a shot.
North Salem Old Fashion Days
When: August 31-September 2
Where: Downtown North Salem
Details: Labor Day weekend also brings us this annual event, steeped in tradition and renowned for its fun-loving contests. It features the county’s longest parade on Saturday morning and the exhilarating annual bed races through the heart of town – a true spectacle – on Monday.
For more information or to learn more about all the events, things to do, places to eat and more, go to visithendrickscounty.com.
If you are an event organizer, you can easily add your event to our Events Calendar if it meets certain parameters outlined on the site.
