On July 6, 2024, "A Celebration of His Life and Work" was held for Indianapolis author Dan Wakefield (Going All The Way, New York in the 50's, Under the Apple Tree, Starting Over, and many more) at the White River Yacht Club in Ravenswood. Around 150 were in attendance for the event. The afternoon was started with a saxophone solo of I Can't Get Started, a favorite of Dan's, by Sophie Faught. An amazing series of people whose lives were changed by Dan shared emotional stories of their times with Dan over the years.

Dan Wakefield was especially fond of the White River his entire life. It was a fitting tribute to him to have his goddaughter and her husband on a boat on the river with Sophie playing I'll Be Seeing You while a bouquet of flowers was released.

Dan attended Shortridge High School (although he lived a couple of blocks from BRHS, he opted for Shortridge because BRHS had a weekly paper and Shortridge had a daily paper!). A scholarship fund has been set up in his name. Donations can be made through the Writers Center at www.indianawriters.org/product/donation-wakefield-prize