The 19th Annual Rocky Ripple Festival is an art-filled, high energy day of live music, local art, creative activities, food, craft beer and wine by local vendors. This family friendly festival features over eighty artist booths, six bands, popular kids' stage and activity area, drum circle, performance art and more! It is located in the center of Rocky Ripple at Hohlt Park at 840 West 53rd Street. It's a fun day for all ages with free admission!

"It gets better every year!" exclaimed Dhyana Raynor, vice-president of the Rocky Ripple Community Association and festival coordinator, describing this year's Rocky Ripple Festival, Saturday, September 22, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"The event is in its 19th year and I have been with the festival since 2004 and festival coordinator for eight years. We have different areas of the festival like the artist's area where Megan Wright is the coordinator. Our artisan booth space sells out by the end of July. It's very popular with artist and artisans. The Rocky Ripple Festival is not only live music, artist areas, food and beer, but also is a festival for families that is safe and fun, creative and playful! While volunteers supervise the Children's Activity Area, it is a hands-on, self-directed play area of paint stations, bubble stations, and a volleyball court-sized sand station. What's not to love!" she added.

In the pennant paint station, children are given an array of washable paints to decorate pre-cut pennants for them to take home or leave for the Heritage collection, displayed at the following festival. There is a Kid's Stage, hooping, hair color spraying, and more!

The White Pine Wilderness Academy will offer a day's worth of experiential nature-based activities. And Mira, a Nigerian Dwarf goat will be present with her three newly-born kids.

The children's activity area does not charge a fee, but donations are gratefully accepted. This area of the festival is becoming a creative children's area destination for a growing number of families. There will also be give away prizes, donated by local merchants and restaurants. To donate an item or gift certificate, contact: dhyanar@sbcglobal.net.

Delicious foods and craft beer will be available from these local vendors: La Chinita Poblana, Punch Burger, Dal-Forno wood fired pizza, Wilson's Sweet Corn, LICK Ice Cream and the Broad Ripple Brewpub.

Returning to the 2018 music stage is emcee Tracy Fouts and sound technician Chris White, who coordinates the band line-up. Their order of appearance is: Scott McNew and the Twisted Knobs (Hangout rock), Jeff Kelly and the Graveyard Shift (Alternative folk and Americana), The Sidewinders (Americana), Sarah Grain and the Billions of Stars (Folk infused with jazz, bossa-nova and rock), Sidewalk Souls (Classic 70's rock with a nod to true soul music) and Midwest Rhythm Exchange (Indiana boys putting their spin on traditional gypsy jazz). The Sound Stage Sponsor is Blue Heron Construction Company, which is owned by Rocky Ripple resident John Bleakley.

All is set for a fabulous day in the park.

The event is made possible by generous sponsorship of local businesses and organizations: Blue Heron Construction, Broad Ripple Brewpub, Great Frame Up, Good Earth Natural Food, Meridian Hills Co-op Nursery and Kindergarten School, The Riviera Club, Global Gifts, Embarque Yoga, White Pine Wilderness Academy, Children's Museum Haunted House Guild, Linder Design and the Adam Garvey Family.

The 19th Annual Rocky Ripple Festival celebrates an eclectic blend of art, food and music for all families and individuals from "A Community within the City."