Considered the "The Best Little Event west of the Canal Towpath," the 15th annual Rocky Ripple Festival is September 27, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Hohlt Park at 840 W. 53rd Street. There is free admission and free parking available.

Dhyana Raynor is a Rocky Ripple Festival Steering Committee volunteer. "Upon moving to Rocky Ripple in the fall of 2001, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the Rocky Ripple Festival. I loved its grass roots heritage: local bands, neighborhood artists, food and beverages provided by RRCA volunteers. All of the ingredients were there for creating a unique festival that could grow and become an annual destination, beginning with Hohlt Park, a jewel in the center of the community. Over the years, I've heard from many artists, musicians (who play for free, by the way) and festival patrons who say that it's their favorite festival of the year. It's been an honor and a delight to help bring this vision to fruition. Did I mention fun? It's fun! It's a festival for all generations," Ms. Raynor noted.

A line-up of bands for the festival is: Kenneth Yerian and David Linder (acoustic, 11:05 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.), Kendall/Purdy Project (acoustic, 12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.), vdejetrose (country 1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.), Sax Pistols (rock cover, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.), Hell Yes Authority (original rock 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.) and HyRyder (jam rock 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.). The festival stage is sponsored by The TechStop.

Other entertainment includes Judy Hannah and the Midwest BellyDancing Superstars, who will be dancing throughout the festival crowd in the afternoon. Mathew Stephens, a stand-up comedian, an emerging local talent in the Indy scene, will debut as master of ceremonies.

An Artist Area will feature an eclectic mix of original art and unique artisan items for sale from over 70 individuals.

A children's activity area, sponsored by The Great Frame-Up, will feature a sand sculpture event at 2 p.m. in the volley ball court (with a new sand pile), sponsored by Gardens of Growth. Mad Science returns with hooping, a bubble bonanza, an art station, face painting and hair spray color by Sandy Kurker. Friends of the White River return this year, presenting ways to enjoy the waterways here in the city and offering picture taking with a "fish." In the afternoon, at the west end of the park, there will be an open, free drum circle. Bring your own drum or use a djembe provided by the facilitator, Helger Oompkes.

The Festival Store, located at the Rocky Ripple Community Association, will offer some new items this year: colorful cozies, tie-dye bandanas with the festival logo and tie-dye shirts with the Festival logo (special orders). Also available are 16 ounce stadium cups (for beer refills) with Rocky Ripple Festival logo. A limited number of bat houses are back by popular demand. Raffle tickets are $2 each or three for $5. Local merchants and sports organizations have been wonderfully generous in helping the RRCA raise funds by donating gift certificates ranging in value from $50 to $200.

Festival organizers encourage people to ride their bicycles to the event in Hohlt Park. Pedal & Park will provide secure bicycle parking for free. FreeWheelin' Bikes will have a bicycle mechanic on site to provide light bike tune-ups for tips.

Craft beer will be provided by John Hill's Broad Ripple Brewpub. Wine will be available to purchase with a new location near the stage. The Community Association and Veterans Association will provide a variety of grilled offerings, festival snacks and fresh corn on the cob for reasonable prices. The Rocky Ripple Community Association will have three food locations this year: the Pavilion (brats, hot dogs and grilled veggie burgers), the Snack Shop near 53rd street (popcorn, chips, fresh fruit) and the Pork and Mac booth near the Brewpub truck.

Promoting recycling at the Festival is one of the many ways the organizers are creating an eco-friendly event in the City. In 2013, Meridian-Kessler resident Mary Stumpp and a group of volunteers reduced all of the festival's refuse into ten garbage bags. Everything else was either composted in the community garden or recycled. Mary is once again helping Rocky Ripple's "green" efforts by overseeing the plastic cup and aluminum can recycle collection. Mary's mission is "to collect lots of aluminum cans and a few other recyclable materials, sell them for scrap and use the money to fund grants for teachers in public schools". She has established a 501c3 organization called "The Can Lady Project."

Steve Zuhlke, owner of The TechStop "Computer Services Center" will provide a box truck, hosted by volunteers, to receive electronic equipment and most all small appliances with a cord. Acceptable items for recycling are: consumer & home electronics, including VCR & DVD players, stereos, radios, calculators, cell phones, computers, (desktops & laptops), printers, scanners, copiers and fax machines. Also suitable for recycling are: s speakers, audio/video equipment, satellite TV equipment, cables, wiring, lead acid and alkaline batteries, small appliances, like toasters and microwave ovens. Televisions and computer monitors of any kind are not acceptable.

In addition to Rocky Ripple residents who organize, stage and run the festival, the Naptown Roller Girls have offered to be powerhouse volunteers for the day.

The Rocky Ripple Festival Steering Committee would like to thank the following sponsors: TechStop (www.techstopcorp.com), Broad Ripple Brewpub (www.broadripplebrewpub.com), Great Frame Up (Delaware Street and Allisonville Road stores - www.indianapolis.thegreatframeup.com), Lindner Design (linderdesign@sprint.com Gardens of Growth (www.gardensofgrowth.com) and Pedal & Park (www.pedalandpark.org) More information on the event can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rocky-Ripple-Festival/144519625569544 and www.rockyripple.org.

The annual Rocky Ripple Festival features a diversity of arts, food and music in their "Community within the City."