Indianapolis and surrounding areas have a lot to offer families who are in search of something fun and unique to try. This is one of the many things to love about raising a family in Indy. With so much to do, you almost have to try to be bored.
One day, not long ago, my family and I sat down together and compiled a Bucket List of all the different things we wanted to experience in the area. One of the first things on my list was a trip to Conner Prairie for Symphony on the Prairie.
Shortly after, one of my mom’s groups talked about a girls night out at (you guessed it) Symphony on the Prairie. A girls night out at a Bucket List location – no question. Yes please. Sign me up.
My family and I thoroughly enjoy our trips to Conner Prairie. Rain or shine, winter or summer, there is always something to do on the prairie. Because of our extremely positive experiences and all that I had heard from friends about Symphony on the Prairie, I knew I was in for a treat.
Sometimes, with such high expectations, it is possible to walk away feeling slightly disappointed. Let me tell you, my expectations were not only met, they were exceeded.
At Symphony on the Prairie, guests gather on the lawn in front of the Conner Prairie Ampitheatre to hear the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) and other extremely talented musical guests.
The night we were in attendance, Just the Hits: 20 Years of Doo Wop Classics was being performed. The music was to start at 8:00 pm, so we planned to meet up at around 6:00. The doors open two hours prior to start time and we wanted to arrive with plenty of time to set up our small table and chairs and enjoy some food and drink together before the music began.
As the music started, I looked around and noticed people of all ages enjoying the music. Everyone I saw around us had brought some type of food or drink and had set up their own little space to eat, drink and listen to the classics.
Being a newbie, I had forgotten the importance of bringing a chair a long. Thankfully, my friend had extras and was more than happy to share. I also had forgotten another essential – bug spray. Again, a friend came to rescue. Although the bugs weren’t bad, I am one of those people that bugs seem to be drawn to and I didn’t want to take the risk of turning into some bug’s dinner that night. Thank goodness for thoughtful friends who are willing to share.
Maybe you are hearing this and thinking you don’t want to have to prepare that much for a night out. No worries. If you aren’t in the mood to pack your own food and drink, concessions are available to purchase. There are also tables you can purchase for the evening by the stage if you don’t want to carry in your own table or chairs. You can do as much, or as little, as you want and still have a blast.
As the evening went on, more and more people made their way to the front where they enthusiastically danced to the music by the stage. The energy was high and excitement was in the air. Families with children of all ages, couples on dates and people like me who were out with their friends for an evening were in attendance.
It was a spectacular summer evening spent outdoors enjoying incredible music in a beautiful, spacious setting. I can’t wait to go back and share this experience with my family someday. It’s been checked off my Bucket List, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be back. I mean, there are not one – but two – Who’s Bad: Music of Michael Jackson nights coming up. Need I say more?
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Conner Prairie Interactive History Park is located at 13400 Allisonville Road in Fishers. For more information on Symphony on the Prairie including schedule, pricing and other facts, please click here. The final performance for the 2017 season is Sunday, September 3.
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Jennifer Thompson is a stay-at-home mom of four spunky, sweet, kind and sometimes a bit wild children. She has a passion for the written word and thinks libraries and bookstores are the coolest places ever. When not hanging out with family or writing, she can be found enjoying a good cup of coffee, running, spending quality time with friends, working on some type of project around the house, planning the family’s next trip to her favorite destination – Walloon Lake, Michigan, or very possibly – reading a book.
Jennifer enjoys writing about her parenting experience and outings with her children for Indy’s Child as a freelance writer and blogger and keeps a personal blog, www.trulyyoursjen.com, that she has fun writing when time permits
