SIGNATURE EVENTS IN
THE COLUMBUS, INDIANA AREA
Live on the Plaza
Mid-June
About
A live, outdoor summer concert in mid-June featuring nationally recognized talent, Live on the Plaza celebrates and engages the community. Past performers have included Time for Three, the Groovaloos, and Naturally 7. Presented by the Columbus Area Arts Council in partnership with the city of Columbus – on the Bartholomew County Library Plaza, 536 Fifth Street
Tough Mudder Columbus
August
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Epic is an understatement. Tough Mudder Classic is one 8-10 mile loop of mud-soaked mayhem loaded with 25 best-in-class obstaclesThis is is your chance to get outside your comfort zone, discover what you’re made of, and cross that finish line stronger than you started. Strap in and get ready for an all-out festival in Mudder Village with live entertainment, authentic local eats, lawn games and all the incredible Mudder camaraderie you can handle.
Exhibit Columbus
Aug 24 – Dec 1, 2019
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Exhibit Columbus celebrates the design heritage of Columbus while making it relevant to new audiences with an ambitious cycle of events. (Photos courtesy Exhibit Columbus)
Scottish Festival
September – Fairgrounds, Columbus
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A weekend of Scottish entertainment, competition, and history, including: Celtic concert, Ceilidh, Highland dancing competition, clan tents, sheep dog trials, European car show, musical entertainment, bagpipe marching bands, re-enactors and living history, children’s activities, Scottish country dancing, merchandise, and food vendors.
- A Weekend of All Things Scottish blog post
Photos by Tony Vasquez
Hope Heritage Days
September – Hope, Indiana
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Long considered the quintessential Hoosier celebration, the event is Bartholomew County’s oldest multi-day festival. During the last full weekend in September each year, the “Surprising Little Town” of Hope, Indiana, swells in population. From the musical entertainment to over 125 food and vendor booths, this festival is wonderfully Hoosier….and uniquely HOPE!
Admission: Free.
Hot Rods and Rock 'n' Roll
September
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Enjoy classic cars, trucks, hot rods, motorcycles, and more at this family-friendly event! There is no registration fee and no trophies – just pride, passion, and a good time! Bring lawn chairs. Food and merchandise will be available for purchase.
Mill Race Marathon
September
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Begins downtown. A full marathon, a half-marathon, and a 5K. Sanctioned by United States of America Track and Field (USATF) and a certified Boston Marathon qualification course. Powered by Cummins. After the races, enjoy family fun downtown with food, music, and a bungee bouncer…even if you do not run! The after party ends pm after the drawing for a new truck.
Photos by Carla Clark, for The Republic newspaper
Ethnic Expo
October – downtown Columbus
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Ethnic Expo was founded as a celebration of Columbus, Indiana’s varied ethnic heritage as well as its current cosmopolitan population. Home to people from all over the world, as well as those with rich cultural traditions, Columbus is proud of its diversity.
The festival spans two full days and features live performances of international music and dancing, ethnic art, and craft demonstrations from a host country. Ethnic Expo is family-friendly and hosts activities specifically for children as well as a parade on Saturday morning for all to enjoy.
YesFest Film Festival
October – Yes Theater
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About
The Columbus, Indiana YES Film Festival celebrates the creativity and diversity of independent film, bringing to the screen the best documentaries, narrative features and short films, with competitions in all three categories. YESfest films will screen at the YES Cinema in downtown Columbus, an elegant and welcoming independent theater that specializes in classic, foreign, independent and second-run films and hosts live events such as the Cinema’s popular YES Comedy Showcase.
Cinema truly is the universal language and our mission at YESFest is to promote a lively and passionate dialogue between filmmakers and film-lovers. Whether you’re in the audience, behind the scenes or in front of the camera, we look forward to seeing you at YES!
Photo of movie panel by Tony Vasquez
Deja Vu Art and Fine Craft Show
November – The Commons, downtown Columbus
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Broken toys, yesterday’s newspaper, and china shards may seem like trash to most, but in the hands of professionals, they can be transformed into beautiful art and fine crafts.
Held at the new Commons, which is located at 3rd and Washington Streets in downtown Columbus, Indiana, artists from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky attend as well as members of Indiana Artisan or Kentucky Crafted.
Art and fine crafts featured include jewelry, sculpture, weaving, wearable art, woodworking, leather work, and mosaics, all created from scrap materials or items that have been repurposed.
Festival of Lights
December – downtown Columbus
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The Columbus, Indiana Festival of Lights parade is an annual holiday parade through downtown Columbus on the first Saturday of December. The parade is followed by the QMIX Christmas Musical Fireworks.
Photos by Virajjani
