Celebrating its 25th year, the Rocky Ripple Festival will be held Saturday, September 27th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Hohlt Park at 840 West 53rd Street which is a six-acre park in the center of Rocky Ripple. This family friendly festival features over eighty artists, six bands, popular kids' activity area, drum circle, performance art and more! Food, wine and craft beer will be provided by local vendors. A casual fun day for all ages! Safe and secure bicycle parking is offered in the park with free admission.

"We're always on the fourth Saturday in September (27th) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. located at Holdt Park. It's always free with live music and food vendors. Children's activities are held around the playground area. It is a really fun, free, funky family festival and everyone is welcome. This will be the festival's 25th year. Dhyana Raynor has been running the festival for many years, and in 2019 I heard she was looking for help for the festival. I am now the volunteer coordinator," Rachel Wuthrich explained. She is the President of the Rocky Ripple Community Association.

"For anyone who has ever considered volunteering, this is like the most fun and the easiest way to be a volunteer for families and kids. We're a great fit for high school and college students filling service requirements," Ms. Wuthrich mentioned. A Festival Volunteer Sign Up form is available here.

Mike Kane, who is lead coordinator for the Festival, noted, "Each year, the Rocky Ripple Festival highlights local art, music, and neighborhood spirit. Located just across the Central Canal from Butler University, our event offers a full lineup of live bands, over 80 artists with original works for sale, and plenty of great food and drinks, including selections from Broad Ripple Brewpub. Activities for kids take place around the playground. Free admission for everyone. Join us for the 25th Rocky Ripple Festival on Saturday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. We'll be showcasing the best of Indianapolis creativity in a family-friendly setting.

The Music Stage will feature the following: Upper Low Gap, Tilt A Squirrel, Tru North, Jennasen, Ripple Coast Drums, Papa Warfleigh and Day Job Blues.

The Food Vendors are: Broad Ripple Brewpub, Byrne's Pizza, Gomez BBQ, La Chinita Poblana, Lick Ice Cream, Moo & Lou and Pap's Kettle Pop.

Festival Sponsors for this year include Blue Heron Construction, Bowen Engineering, Broad Ripple Brewpub, Dogtopia Meridian North, IndyPro Power Washing, The Book Fairy, Forum Credit Union, Renewal by Andersen, White Pine Wilderness Academy, Indy Folk Series, The Can Lady Project and Maple Seeds Preschool Cooperative.

According to their link, https://rockyripple.org/about: The Rocky Ripple Community Association was founded on November 12, 1948, with the first meeting in the home of Mrs. William Smith. Originally called the Ladies Auxiliary of the Rocky Ripple Volunteer Fire Department, their purpose was to assist the fire department morally and financially. The first order of business was a bake sale to raise money for a new hose. By July 1950, a town hall was built by local residents and with money from the Ladies Auxiliary. Through the next four decades, the Ladies Auxiliary continued to raise money for the volunteer fire department and to provide social events for residents of Rocky Ripple. After the volunteer fire department dissolved in 1989, the Ladies Auxiliary adopted new bylaws and reorganized as the Rocky Ripple Community Association in 1990. The Community Association incorporated as a nonprofit in 1998.

The Rocky Ripple Community Association aims to provide social, cultural, recreational, and educational services to the Town of Rocky Ripple and its residents, and in so doing strengthen the bonds of civic unity and provide for the common welfare of all residents.

Hohlt Park was dedicated in 1999. Though another festival was not held at that time, Rocky Ripple residents began to envision an annual celebration. They decided music was fundamental, but there were many other artists in the community. Local artist Megan Wright shared her experience with juried arts festivals, and artist Vandra Linder created a unique logo for the festival that was used for many years.

The second festival, in 2000, featured music and local artists displaying their wares. Community Association volunteers staffed a small food booth. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Over the years, the number of participating artists, food vendors, and musical acts have increased - along with the reputation of the festival. Today, our event offers kids' entertainment, prize drawings, buskers, and more.

The Rocky Ripple Community Association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). Proceeds from the festival funds things like playground equipment, parks maintenance and town parties in an area known as "a community within the city."