Brookshire, Cool Creek neighborhood parades; CHS Band gets soapy with Gaga; Farmer's Market has a BIG day!

If you can't see the slideshow click HERE.

Eat Your Heart Out Norman Rockwell

Can I digress for just a moment?  How in the world did it get to be the 4th of July weekend already?  At the risk of sounding like my grandfather Virgil...let's move forward.

It used to be Carmelfest was a nice little Hamilton County celebration for America's birthday.  Now it boasts a fireworks celebration that is actually bigger than that of Marion County and a weekend series of events that gives everyone a chance to participate and enjoy.  The Freedom Run is a little four miler on Saturday morning at 8:00 that is followed by a peewee run at 9:15.  Then on Sunday and Monday for starters there will be great entertainment at both the Gazebo and the new North Stage where there will be a Beach Party and an Americana musical set.  We've heard a rumor that Jeff Worrell will be demonstrating his Salsa skills Sunday at 3:00 on the North Stage during the Salsa Dance Demo.  We'd absolutely pay to see that.  The fireworks will start at 9:45 Monday night synched to music on B105.7.  Just prior to that, famed musician Mac McAnally will be performing on the North stage at 8:00.  Mac has been through central Indiana many times as a point man for none other than Jimmy Buffet.  He's a remarkable singer/songwriter and worth wading through the crowd to see.   One final note....if you have not yet done so, pick up a Spark Button and help support Carmelfest and the fireworks.  Hundreds of volunteers work tirelessly to put on this celebration...help them out by purchasing a Spark Button at merchants in the Arts and Design District or at the Farmer's Market Saturday morning.  Photo courtesy CF151/Photobucket

Weekend Agenda

We'll Make It Simple For You!

1) Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend Saturday starting at 7 a.m.

2) Carmel Farmer's Market 8 a.m.  All racing events will conclude here!

3) Rock the District 2-10 p.m. in the Arts & Design District.

4)  Gallery walk through the Arts & Design District Saturday evening.

Be sure to check back throughout the weeknd.  We'll be posting pictures and video from all of these events! 

You Can't Get There From Here

It will be a busy weekend of firsts in Carmel with the Carmel Marathon taking place punctuated by the return of Rock The District.  If you live in central or east Carmel it will require some planning to get around.  The running events all get underway starting at 7:00 but the effects of the race will last until early afternoon.  Here's a video (thanks @CarmelBruce) talking about the race itself and road alterations. The Marathon and half Marathon will both progress through central and east Carmel starting off at the City Center and heading east on 126th.  From there the courses will wind their way through east Carmel eventually crossing back over Keystone and finishing back at the Farmer's Market near the Palladium.  There will be closings and delays affecting nearly every major north/south and east/west road in central and east Carmel from 7:00 A.M. Saturday until the last part of the course reopens at 2:00 p.m.  Travel in central and east Carmel will require a lot of patience Saturday!  You can find the street closure list HERE and the course map HERE.  Here's our friendly suggestion.  Got a bike?  This would be the weekend to dust it off. 

Carburetor Loading

You'll no doubt be seeing a lot more of these in the next eight days. This is one of several Carmel Marathon vehicles that are being used in support of the Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend taking place June 11. Hard to believe that in just over a week Carmel will host a major running race that stands as a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. Now before any of you non runners tune out, this will be an all inclusive event with something for each of us. In all there will be five events including a 1 mile family fitness walk that everyone can be a part of.  The conculsion of the race will take place on the Palladium Center Green in conjunction with the Farmer's Market.  The day's festivities will wrap up with the Indiana Live Street Party and awards presentation on Main Street in the Arts and Design District.  Runner, walker, or none of the above...this promises to be a big weeknd in Carmel.   You can see more on the event including full schedule, course maps and a great video, '26 miles in five minutes' at their website, which is packed with information.  Best of luck to eveyone at the Carmel Road Racing Group for a successful weekend June 11! 

Walking Waffles, Chocolatiers and Spark Buttons....

Can't see the video? Watch it HERE.
 
The 2nd weekend of the Carmel Farmer's Market starts at 8A Saturday morning and last weekend a number of vendors were kind enough to give us a preview.  We posted video one last Saturday afternoon and here's a look at who else is setting up shop for week #2.  Parking hint.....you can certainly walk or bike in on the Monon but if you drive, the parking garage on the south side of the studio theater is great.  The elevator will take you right to the Center Green where the market is. 

A small sample of some of the vendors at the CFM from Saturday 5/21. For all of the great vendors who spoke with us and were not included in this video, we'll have another up this week!

Hanging out on the Center Green....

The debut of the Carmel Farmer's Market has been a big success this Saturday the 21st in it's new location between the Palladium and Studio Theater Building.  The setting is spectacular with great parking and easy walking and biking access on the Monon Trail.  Thanks to the volunteers and vendors who adapted quickly to the new digs.  For all of the vendors who were kind enough to talk with us about their wares, we'll have compilation videos up throughout the week! 

Two weeks and counting......

The Carmel Farmer's Market is nearly back!  On May 21 dozens of vendors will again begin lining up the early hours near the City Center. Several web sites indicate they'll be at their new location, the Center Green at the Palladium. Work still goes on prep that area....stay tuned!

Greg Cooper, east Carmel homes for sale, real estate blog

Photo courtesy IndianapolisAmy