"We are so happy to be welcoming the public back to Hohlt Park (located at 840 West 53rd Street) for the 26th annual Rocky Ripple Festival on Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with free admission. There's a diverse mixture of handmade art by Hoosiers near and far. Live music all day. Food and drinks for purchase and a Children's Area. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leash," explained Rachel Wuthrich, President of the Rocky Ripple Association.

The 2026 Festival was sponsored by the following: Blue Heron Construction, Porter Roofing and Critter Removal Indianapolis, Broad Ripple Brewpub, Dogtopia, Bowen Engineering, The Great Frame Up, Frank's Livery, Forum Credit Union, Renewal by Anderson, The Book Fairy, Universal Windows Direct, Bath Cabinet Experts, Window Nation, Champion Window, Chiro One Wellness, Indy Folk Series, Global Gifts and the School for Community Learning.

Their website, (www.rockyripple.org/festival), describes the event's history. The Rocky Ripple festival began in 1998 when the town officially obtained the land now known as Hohlt Park. The Community Association decided to celebrate, and with many resident-musicians in Rocky Ripple, a festival of music with local talent was held.

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 artists participating, 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 festival has also become the major annual fundraiser for the Community Association and the Rocky Ripple Parks Endowment, established to help maintain parks in the community.

According to their link, www.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 house. By July of 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 and incorporated as a non-profit in 1998.

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