Spark!Fishers ignited by First Internet Bank returns this week, and there is truly something for everyone! We asked three of our Fishers Ambassadors for their favorite ways to celebrate on a date night, with young children, and with the whole family.
Celebrate Spark!Fishers with the Whole Family by Amanda Merriweather
My family has celebrated Fishers’ summer celebrations for several years now and it is always an absolute blast! I am so excited for this year’s weeklong Spark!Fishers celebration and am looking forward to making tons of fun summer memories with my family right here in our community.
With a big family, finding events with activities all of us can enjoy can often be a challenge. With five nights of fun at this year’s Spark!Fishers ignited by First Internet Bank, there’s truly something for everyone.
Check out my recommendations and detailed itinerary for top ways you can experience this fun-filled celebration with the whole family.
Tuesday June 21
7 PM: Fishers Music Works’ White River Wind Symphony
Pack up the family and kick off the Spark!Fishers celebration by heading to the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater for a FREE Tuesday Night Community Concert. My favorite things to pack for the concert include blankets, a picnic basket full of snacks, cooler with drinks, bubbles, a football or frisbee, and a little spending money for the food/bar trucks!
Wednesday, June 22
6:30 PM: Kids Fun Run 30-Yard Dash
Even the littlest runners can take part in the Spark!Fishers 5K this year with a 30-yard Dash beginning at 6:30 p.m. This will be our kids’ first year participating and they are very excited!
7 PM: Fishers Family 5K presented by IU Health Fishers
The family 5k race begins at 7 p.m. Each finisher will receive a race shirt and a medal! View the course map and register online or onsite registration is permitted until 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 23
6 PM: Car & Art Show
Head over to the Central Green in the Nickel Plate District to check out vintage and modern cars alongside local artists and artisans. This family-fun event is free and no tickets are required.
Saturday, June 25
3 PM: Street Fair
The Spark!Fishers Street Fair provides the opportunity to enjoy delicious food, handmade goods, and a blend of awesome entertainment from local food and art vendors!
A few must-see and do activities include:
- The Ferris Wheel in the middle of 116th Street!
- 3 community stages with live entertainment throughout the day
- The Kids Zone sponsored by DMC Insurance (Bounce Houses, Games, Face Painting, & More)
- The Spark!Fishers Teen Zone, featuring interactive racing simulators, ski-ball, table tennis, a skatepark, and more.
- Wristbands are required to participate in Spark!Fishers’ Saturday activities, including inflatables, the skate park, and the Ferris wheel. Wristbands can be purchased in advance for $3 or at the event for $5. Pre-ordered wristbands must be picked up at the Fishers Parks office (8100 E. 106th Street, Ste 150) during normal business hours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. by Friday, June 24 at 7 p.m. Learn more and order wristbands here.
5 PM: Street Fair Food
By now, I’m sure everyone will be hungry, so finding food is going to be next up on our list! There are so many options for food and drinks, but here are a few we plan to scope out:
- MashCraft Fishers
- Ribs Express
- Custard Dogs
- Papa Smurf Concessions
Also, now is the perfect time to run to The Mother’s Lounge for a dedicated space to care for your babies, change diapers, and squeeze in a quiet feeding before heading to the parade!
6 PM: Parade
The parade is by far my kids’ favorite part of the whole summer celebration! It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate the spark of our community with floats, performances, and walking groups from various local organizations, businesses, and civic groups. View the map route at sparkfishers.com/parade.
8 PM: Live Music & Dinner
For dinner, we plan on listening to the live performances and stopping by the Dining Tents sponsored by Four Day Ray Brewing for food and drinks from local vendors.
10 PM: Fireworks
End the week-long celebration with a spectacular firework show launched from Holland Park. The best viewing locations include the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater lawn and throughout the Municipal Complex. Grab some snacks, a blanket, and cozy up under the night sky!
*Please note that Holland Park will be closed during the fireworks show for safety reasons.
I know that my family is very excited for all that Spark!Fishers has to offer this year! We cannot wait to celebrate with our community, and I hope to see you there!
Celebrate Spark!Fishers with a Date Night by Sierra Sieracki
There is just something about summer date nights that makes them superior to all other date nights. Don’t get me wrong, I’m always a fan of visiting a pumpkin patch in the fall or ice skating in the winter, but nothing beats the summertime. If you are looking for the perfect date night idea this week around central Indiana, then Fishers is where you need to be!
Their annual festival, Spark!Fishers ignited by First Internet Bank, is taking place Tuesday, June 21 through Saturday, June 25. The weeklong celebration is happening in Fishers’ downtown Nickel Plate District with different events and activities each day. The events include a concert, a 5k run/walk, a car and art show, a street fair, and even a parade. Did I mention there will be a Ferris wheel in the middle of 116th Street?
While there is a Kids Zone, of course, there is definitely something fun going on each day for those without children too! I’ve broken down the Spark!Fishers itinerary into the perfect date night for every kind of couple below:
The Concert-Goers
If music is your thing, you are in luck! Kick-off the week with a Community Concert on Tuesday night at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. Get the full details below:
Community Concert
Tuesday, June 21 | 7-9 p.m.
Kick off the Spark!Fishers celebration with a Tuesday Night Community Concert featuring Fishers Music Works’ White River Wind Symphony at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. Admission is free and no tickets are required. Food, non-alcoholic beverages, chairs, and blankets are welcome. Outside alcohol is not permitted, but food and drink will be available for purchase on site. The Tuesday Night Community Concert Series is presented by IU Health Fishers.
The Artsy Couple + Car Aficionados
The Car & Art Show on Thursday evening is the perfect event for a unique date night! There will be a variety of local artists showcasing their work, as well as a collection of vintage and modern cars. Get the full details below:
Car & Art Show
Thursday, June 23 | 6-9 p.m.
Stroll the Central Green and check out the Spark!Fishers Car & Art Show, featuring vintage and modern cars alongside local artists and artisans. This event is free to attend, and no tickets are required. Car owners can register their vehicles at sparkfishers.com.
Classic Summer Dates
For those looking for a classic summertime date that never goes out of style, head over to Saturday’s Street Fair and stick around for the parade and fireworks. This event is jam-packed with local food and drink options, three entertainment stages, art experiences, and even a Ferris wheel in the middle of 116th Street! Check out the full details below:
Street Fair
Saturday, June 25 / 3-10 p.m.
Soak up the summer fun at the Spark!Fishers Street Fair around the Municipal Complex, with fun for all ages including:
- Local food and drink, retail vendors, artisans, and more, along with the Dining Tent sponsored by Four Day Ray Brewing.
- Three entertainment stages with live entertainment throughout the day
- A Kids Zone with bounce houses, games, face painters, and more kid-friendly fun sponsored by DMC Insurance.
Parade
Saturday, June 25 | 6 p.m.
Celebrate the spark of our community with this fun-filled tradition through Fishers’ Nickel Plate District featuring floats and walking groups from various local organizations and civic groups. A route map is available at sparkfishers.com/Parade.
Fireworks
Saturday, June 25 | 10 p.m.
Cap off the festivities with a dazzling fireworks show launched from Holland Park (1 Park Drive). Suggested viewing locations include the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater Lawn and throughout the Municipal Complex. Holland Park will be closed for viewing during the show for safety reasons.
Overall, I can’t get over this amazing lineup of events this year! My husband and I are most excited for the Street Fair, parade, and fireworks. We hope to see some other couples there!
Celebrate Spark!Fishers with Young Children by Megan Gamble
With the sights and sounds of the summer season in full swing, how could any child or child at heart not have the biggest smile on their face when attending a classic Americana summer festival?
Growing up in Fishers, one of my favorite childhood memories was attending Fishers’ summer celebration, now known as Spark!Fishers. As a parent, I love seeing the same excitement in my children’s eyes each year that we attend. The City of Fishers has grown this celebration in so many unique ways since I was a child. Spark!Fishers is a week-long celebration culminating with the main event; a street fair, parade, and fireworks show on Saturday.
Before you head out to the fun, here are my family’s top eight favorite experiences at Spark!Fishers if you plan on attending with younger children!
Pack a picnic dinner and kick-off Spark!Fishers week by kicking up your heels with starting at 7 p.m. at the NPD AMP. This weekly summer tradition is the perfect way to get into the celebration spirit.
Kids Fun Run
On Wednesday, June 22, lace up your running shoes for this family-friendly Walk/Run around downtown Fishers. This 30-yard dash walk/run will depart at 6:30 p.m. If you’re looking for a bit more of a challenge, join in the 5K, beginning promptly at 7 p.m. Be sure to view a course map and register for the race here! Onsite registration will be available until 6:30 p.m.
Car Show
Whether you’re a classic car enthusiast or just want to check out some cool cars, Thursday’s Car and Art Show is a fun event for the whole family! The Car and Art Show occurs on Thursday, July 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Stroll the Central Green and check out vintage and modern cars alongside local artists and artisans. A family-favorite car show activity is creating a scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt can be as simple as giving each family member a list of items to find or tasks such as having a photograph taken with specific cars.
Street Fair Kid’s Zone
At the street fair, my kids love to make an immediate beeline to the Kid’s Zone. This kid paradise is packed with bounce houses, games, face painters, sensory fun, crafts, and many more fun experiences. My favorite part of the Kid’s Zone is that there is something for all ages; both my two-year-old and five-year-old can play and have a great time. Sensory packs for those with sensory challenges are available.
Wristbands are required to participate in Spark!Fishers’ Saturday activities, including inflatables, the skate park, and the Ferris wheel. Wristbands can be purchased in advance for $3 or at the event for $5. Pre-ordered wristbands must be picked up at the Fishers Parks office (8100 E. 106th Street, Ste 150) during normal business hours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. by Friday, June 24 at 7 p.m. Learn more and order wristbands here.
Sweet Treats
It’s impossible to go to a street fair without sampling some of the delicious fare, and Spark!Fishers is not in short supply with 18 different food and drink vendors! Knowing that it’s almost Spark!Fishers time means my kids are already dreaming of the treats they want to make sure to have.
Live Entertainment
This year, Spark!Fishers will feature three different stages for live entertainment throughout the street festival; the Main Stage At The NPD AMP, Community Tent On The Central Green, and The Solo Stage at The Nickel Plate Trail. Each stage will present a family-friendly show perfect for taking a break from the fun or the perfect place to sit and enjoy a meal. This year my five-year-old is particularly excited for Master Yoo’s Tae Kwon Do at the Community Tent. My two-year-old is here for all the dance-worthy music on the Main Stage and The Platform.
Parade
My favorite part of the entire festival is the parade! This fun-filled Fishers tradition features floats and walking groups from various local organizations and civic groups. The parade steps off on Saturday at 6 p.m. and travels through Fishers’ Nickel Plate District. Our favorite viewing location is along 116th street. To find your family’s perfect viewing location check out the route map.
Fireworks
The perfect ending to this celebratory week is Saturday night’s dazzling fireworks show. The fireworks start at 10 p.m. and will be launched from Holland Park. Holland Park will be closed for viewing for safety reasons, but great viewing locations include the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater lawn and throughout the Municipal Complex. So grab a blanket or some lawn chairs and settle in as Spark!Fishers sends the weekend out with a bang!
Where To Park…
For events Tuesday through Friday evening, free parking is available around the Municipal Complex and downtown Fishers both in parking garages and street parking. On Saturday, guests are encouraged to park at the Forum Credit Union Headquarters (11313 USA Parkway) and take the free event shuttle. Shuttles will run regularly beginning Saturday at 1:30 p.m. through the end of the event. Surface lots around Municipal Drive will not be available to Spark!Fishers guests. The Switch parking garage (North Street and Municipal Drive) will be reserved for residents and those with valid Spark!Fishers parking passes. Public parking is available in The Edge (116th Street and Lantern Road), Nickel Plate Station (Moore Street & 116th Street) and Spark Apartments (Lantern Road and the Nickel Plate Trail) garages. ADA parking is available at the Fishers Police Department (4 Municipal Drive). Rideshare drop off and pick up will occur at The Edge Parking Garage (8890 E. 116th Street). Bicycle parking is available around the Municipal Complex.
Additional road closures will be in effect for Spark!Fishers festivities beginning on Wednesday evening, June 23 through Saturday, June 25. For details, visit sparkfishers.com/SparkParking
Learn more about Spark!Fishers at sparkfishers.com and be sure to share all your Spark!Fishers fun all week on social media by using the hashtags #SparkFishers.