Broad Ripple Gazette vol 10 no 17

First published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

 

WARMFest (White River Arts & Music Festival)
Labor Day Weekend (Saturday, Sunday, Monday – August 31 – September 2)
Broad Ripple Park (1550 Broad Ripple Avenue) and surrounding area
All-ages (10 and under free with adult), $45 single day at gate, $100 all three days at gate, see website for presale), gates open at 10:00 am. 

I am getting really excited for WARMfest; it will be a combination of all of the best things about music festivals, our community, and our neighborhood wrapped up into three fun days. 

WARMfest is managed by the Carl G. Fisher Society. CGFS’s vision is to restore and promote the White River to return it to the grandeur of a century ago. Each ticket purchased includes a donation to to CGFS. I am thrilled that the festival will be held along the banks of the White River in Broad Ripple Park – and you can take a paddlewheel boat cruise during the festival and see the majestic river up close. Cruises are scheduled each day for an additional $5 and there are three live-music cruises (G.Love, Todd Park Mohr – of Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Woodstove Flapjacks) with varied ticket prices for each show. You do need to have a festival ticket for the boat rides and there are only 50 tickets available for each cruise. I strongly suggest purchasing tickets ahead of time.

The music will be spread over four stages and a dance tent surrounding the Indie Arts and Vintage Marketplace. Food and beverages are sprinkled throughout the park. 

I won’t even try to try to tell you about all of the 40 musical acts that will be playing over the three days. Just know that it is a lovely mix of local talent and national musicians and you can’t go wrong no matter who you see.  Check out the website for a full listing of bands. 

Here are some tips for attending WARMfest and music festivals in general. Bring cash. I’m sure there will be ATMs in the festival grounds, but I’d rather be enjoying the music than being at the ATM. Bring your ID. You’ll need to buy beer. Make sure your phone is charged. You’ll be snapping photos, tweeting, and such. Bring a good attitude. Part of the fun of a festival is being part of the crowd. Have a meeting place. If you’re going with a group have a place where you can meet up at an appointed time. It is no fun to spend your time trying to find each other. Wander. Make sure that you have time to check everything out. The band you’ve never heard of might just turn out to be your new favorite group. 

Things you can bring to WARMfest: blankets, baby Strollers, non-professional camera equipment – the rule is that if it has a detachable lens you can’t bring it in – you can bring your point and shoot camera and use your cell phone camera, a small folding lawn chair, and the coolest thing I’ve seen at a festival they are letting you bring in a small EMPTY six-pack sized cooler (approx 9″ x 9″ x 11″ or smaller). You can enjoy the music and entertainment and limit your trips to the concession area by stashing your food in the cooler. And they will provide ice free of charge. I can’t tell you how that makes my little food-safety minded heart sing. 

Things you cannot bring to the festival: outside food or drinks (including alcohol, bottled water), any type of backpacks, weapons of any kind, including fireworks, binoculars, illegal or illicit substances of any kind, glass containers and metal aerosol cans (including sunscreen in aerosol cans), empty CamelBak or water bottles or other empty plastic containers, umbrellas of any kind, skateboards, scooters, carts, wagons, tents, pets (except for service dogs, of course), or professional recording equipment. I am really looking forward to WARMfest – I’ll see you there. 

http://warmfest.org

 

Ripple Effect 4-mile Run/Walk
Monday, September 2, 2013
Start line and packet pickup at Broad Ripple Station (across from McDonalds) parking lot.
8:30 am, all-ages, $20 advance, $25 day of race, family package available

The walk benefits the Broad Ripple Village Association to help raise money for neighborhood improvement projects. The run/walk will circle Broad Ripple Village. The event includes a 4-mile competitive run (timed) as well as a 4-mile non-competitive run/walk.

Registration and more information on the WARMfest website. 

 http://warmfest.org

 

Labor Day Street Fair
Monday, September 2, 2013
Jazz Kitchen and Yat’s
54^th  Street and College Avenue
all-ages, free, 2:00 – 7:30 pm

I can’t believe that this is the 16^th year for the Labor Day Street Fair. I was working at CATH coffeehouse (in the corner of the Fresh Market parking lot) at the time of the first Labor Day Fair. I set up game for the kiddos in the parking lot and we all had a great time. I am grateful that David Allee and his crew have kept the tradition going. 

The lineup is: Bill Lancton & the Red Hot Whiskey Sippers – 2:00-3:30, Pavel and Direct Contact – 4:00 – 5:30, Rob Dixon and Triology + special guests – 6:00-7:30.

http://thejazzkitchen.com

 

French Market Festival
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Saint Joan of Arc Church
4217 N. Central Ave
all-ages, free, noon-10:00 pm 

The French Market brings festival food to a new delicious level. You should plan to have both lunch and dinner there. Not only is this great neighborhood event filled with fabulous French food there is a wonderful lineup of music. 

noon – 2:15: The Stardusters
3:45 – 6:30: The Tides
7:00 – 10:00 Living Proof

 

www.sjoa.org www.stardustersmusic.com www.livingproofmusic.com