Category: Outdoors

Indiana Audubon welcomes you to explore the spring beauty of Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary for our annual spring gathering. Join us to celebrate over 80 years of this amazing nature preserve and experience the best of spring migration in Indiana.

This event promises to be a great opportunity for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers to come together and celebrate the society’s longstanding commitment to bird and nature conservation and education. As part of the event, all visitors can enjoy the Indiana Audubon membership perk of rustic camping both Friday and Saturday night free of charge in the campground. Fishing is free all weekend too.

The day’s highlights include:

6:00 AM Breakfast with the Birds (Continental Breakfast at the Markle Barn through 10am)
7:00 AM Big Sit from the Birding Blind
7:30 AM Spring Migration Madness Birding Hike
8:00 AM MGBS Nature Exploration Hike
8:30 AM Beginning Birding 101Hike
9:00 AM Beeswax Candlemaking With Bill Cummings
9:30 AM iNaturalist Bioblitz Hike
10:00 AM Birds and Blooms with Shari “Going Fur Gold: McCollough
10:30 AM Family Nature Hike
12:00 PM Hamburger Cookout Lunch at the Markle Barn (included with registration!)
12-2 PM Youth Birding Activites at the Large Shelter
12-2 PM Go Fishin’ with Clint at the Ponds
1:00 PM Chasing Melody with Brad Bumgardner (Brooks Hall)
2:00 PM Forests and Fields of Mary Gray Birding Hike
2:30 PM Beginning Birding 101Hike
3:00 PM Cranes in Culture with Lauren Benedict (Brooks Hall)
3:00 PM Beginning Wood Block Art Workshop with Matt Rees (Markle Barn)
3:00 PM Afternoon Nature Photography Hike Shari McCollough
3:30 PM Sounds of the Forest Hike with Whitney Yoerger

Basic Spring Gathering Registration for adults is only $10 ($5 for Indiana Audubon members) and includes lunch. Children are free. Separate registration for the wood block art workshop is required. A variety of lodging options are also nearby in Connersville and Rushville.

Embark on a fascinating journey into the enchanting world of mushrooms during our Fungi Foray! Join our naturalist as she leads you through the forest, unveiling the hidden treasures beneath the canopy. Learn about the diverse shapes, colors, and roles these mysterious mushrooms play in our ecosystem. Discover the magic beneath your feet and cultivate a newfound appreciation for the incredible diversity of nature on our Fungi Foray!

Meet at shelter #6

The Shops at Perry Crossing announced that the center will celebrate the Indianapolis 500 with its own Perry Crossing 500-inspired tricycle races on Sunday, May 5 from noon a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Town Square Oval.

The Perry Crossing 500 Tricycle Races is a fun, family-friendly event with competition for children ages 4-7, 8-12, 13-17 and adults 18 that consist of multiple heats of tricycle races in adult and children categories. Children ages 4-7 will race in six heats of three, and all other age categories will race in six heats of four. The winner of each heat will compete in the championship race for their own category and receive a prize package from the center. Additionally, the event offers an award ceremony in the Winner’s Circle with milk showers and trophies, a photo backdrop with fun props, a DJ/emcee, and crowd-favorite Indy 500 Princesses to kick off each race.

Reservations are first come, first serve, and participants are encouraged to reserve their spot to race by visiting https://www.perry-crossing.com/tricycle-races/. Each participant is required to arrive 20 minutes prior to start time, sign a liability waiver form before competing, and must bring their own helmet, if under the age of 18. Free parking will be available in the north lot of AMC across from Theo’s Italian.

Guests are encouraged to shop and dine at The Shops at Perry Crossing from noon to 6:00 p.m., with restaurants open later. For updated information about the event, visit https://www.facebook.com/ShopPerryCrossing/.

***Disclaimer: Event date could be subject to change due to any unforeseen circumstances or inclement weather. This event is in no way associated with Penske Entertainment, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NTT IndyCar Series or IMS Productions.

Join the Fishers Parks team for free, pop-up fishing! Bring your own supplies or borrow equipment on site. Free Fishing Days are designated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Indiana residents do not need a fishing license to fish in the state’s public waters on these dates. Learn more at FishersParks.com/Fishing.

Calling all pickleball enthusiasts, new and experienced players alike! Join us for an evening of friendly matches and socializing. After the games, unwind with a glass of wine or a refreshing pint and make new connections. Don’t miss this exciting, free event!

Interested in joining a round-robin competition? Online registration required.

Join the park’s naturalist on an early morning stroll through Brownsburg Parks. All birders are welcome and binoculars are encouraged. Program is free to attend!

*Please note change in times to reflect sunrise and Day Light Savings time.

Kid/family friendly, while supplies last

Embark on a colorful journey during this Make & Take Nature Craft! Little artists, get ready to dive into a world of blooming fun where real flowers become your work of art. Our naturalist will show you how to create awesome prints using nature’s own designs. Join us for flower stamping and take home a garden print of your very own.

Earth Day at the J, co-sponsored by AES Indiana and Citizens Energy Group, returns with dozens of hands-on, environmentally-friendly activities. Stay for the afternoon with music, entertainment, and food trucks. Rain or shine; pets on leashes are welcome. FREE!

For a list of all the activities, visit JCCindy.org/earth-day.

A core Jewish value is tikkun olam, Hebrew for repairing the earth or making the world a better place. It is a natural fit for the JCC to celebrate this day as a signature event for the organization and the Indianapolis community.

Highlights of the event:
–All your favorite earth-friendly organizations will be here with interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities centered around sustainability and going green.
–Arts with a Purpose will have hands-on visual activities for children of all ages. Also featuring music from Cathy Morris. In Celebration Plaza.
–Farmers Market by Indiana Owned
–Beer garden and food trucks, along with the J Cafe supplying kosher food.

Parking is available onsite at the JCC. The event is in front (west). And there will be ample parking available in back (east).

Free In honor of National Public Works Week, check out Fishers’ fleet of big rigs, including a firetruck, snowplow, police car, and more at this family-friendly event around the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. Learn more at FishersIN.gov/TouchaTruck.

Opening Day: Saturday, May 25 Open Daily | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. The free splash pads at Holland Park (1 Park Drive) and Billericay Park (12690 Promise Road) and the fountain at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater Pavilion (10 Municipal Drive) will open daily through Labor Day. Learn more at FishersParks.com/WaterAmenities.

The annual Saint Simon Festival is THE kickoff to summer, held May 30-June 1. Enjoy live music, amazing festival food favorites, and carnival games & rides for all ages!

The annual Saint Simon Festival is THE kickoff to summer, held May 30-June 1. Enjoy live music, amazing festival food favorites, and carnival games & rides for all ages!

Join us for a brilliant space themed night featuring Space Jam: A New Legacy.

Activities begin at 6 pm, Movie begins at 7 pm

Get ready to celebrate National Pollinator Week! Join us for a fun program where we’ll learn about bees, butterflies, and other important pollinators. Partake in cool activities and explore the gardens to discover why these little creatures are so important for our ecosystem. Let’s appreciate the amazing world of pollinators together!

Calling all pickle ball enthusiasts, new and experienced players alike! Join us for an evening of friendly matches and socializing. After the games, unwind with a glass of wine or a refreshing pint and make new connections. Don’t miss this exciting, free event!

Interested in joining a round-robin competition? Click HERE to sign up:

https://forms.gle/GvBVHALwhZsVEDcP7

The Battle of Brownsburg is an adult field day that brings teams together for a day of friendly competition. It includes exciting activities such as tug-of-war and an obstacle course, which promise laughter, team bonding, and a chance for your team to claim the coveted title of Brownsburg’s ultimate champions.

Teams of four (4) participants only.

Secure your team’s spot now!

https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/brownsburgparks/activity/search/detail/1739?onlineSiteId=0&locale=en-US&from_original_cui=true

Join us for glow in the dark and other Pokémon themed activities featuring Detective Pikachu!

Activities begin at 6 pm, Movie begins at 7 pm

Has your family ever gone on an adventure so wild and unimaginable you couldn’t explain it? Join us for a family adventure night double feature! Showing Jumanji and Honey I Shrunk the Kids back to back!