First Friday Cruise-In, StringTime On The Square, Robin Hood, Der Polkatz, Flix ‘n’ Float, Art Fair, Salsa On The Square

By: Betsy Reason

Photo provided by Legacy Keepers Music
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for Legacy Keepers Music’s free StringTime Music on the Square monthly series, which continues Saturday night with Stones Crossing bluegrass/gospel band from 6:30-8:15 p.m. Saturday on the Hamilton County Courthouse Square in downtown Noblesville.
Photo courtesy of Rob Slaven of Indy Ghost Light Photography
Earl Campbell as Monsieur Bouc and Larry Adams as Hercule Poirot rehearse for Carmel Community Players’ play, the Agatha Christie “Murder on the Orient Express,” adapted by Ken Ludwig, a comedy-mystery whodunit, now through Aug. 13 at The Cat in Carmel. Visit www.carmelplayers.org.
Photo courtesy of Lindsey McVey of Just Lagom
Ages 21 and older can join in Noblesville Main Street’s third annual Salsa on the Square, a ticketed event, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. today, with food trucks, cocktail garden by Noble Coffee & Tea, beer from Primeval Brewing, with food vendors that include Texy Mexy, plus salsa lessons from Latin Expressions and more on Logan Street in downtown Noblesville.
The Times photo by Betsy Reason
Hamilton County Artists’ Association’s annual Art Fair on the Square featuring artists displaying and selling their work, live music and family fun is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday on the Hamilton County Courthouse Square in downtown Noblesville.
Photo courtesy of Rob Slaven of Indy Ghost Light Photography
Zack Harvey, Noblesville (Little John) and Kaavya Jethava, Carmel (Allan Adale) rehearse for Basile Westfield Playhouse summer youth production of “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood,” which runs through Sunday.

Enjoy First Friday events, Jim Dandy Cruise-in, Salsa on the Square, Hamilton County Artists’ Association’s Art Fair on the Square, StringTime on the Square music series, Carmel Community Players’ youth production and Flix ‘n’ Float movie night at the Forest Park Aquatic Center.

Here’s a list of 20 things to do this weekend and beyond:

  1. Antique car owners and aficionados are invited to Noblesville Jim Dandy Restaurant’s First Friday Cruise-in from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the eatery, featuring DJ Bumper playing classics.
  2. It’s time again for First Fridays at Nickel Plate Arts Campus from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at the campus on 8th and Maple avenue. Visit art exhibits, refreshments, cash bar, live music by Roughouse and moreand more.
  3. Ages 21 and older can join in Noblesville Main Street’s third annual Salsa on the Square, a ticketed event, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. today, with food trucks, cocktail garden by Noble Coffee & Tea, beer from Primeval Brewing, with food vendors Texy Mexy, Fillers Co. Mochi Joy, more, plus salsa lessons from Latin Expressions, fun photos by Haley King with Camino & Co.’s El Camino, on Logan Street in downtown Noblesville.
  4. Cool Creek Park Concert Series features Der Polkatz at 7 p.m. today and The Nauti Yachtys featuring Josh Kaufman on Aug. 11, with gates opening at 6 p.m. for picnicking, with tickets at myhamiltoncountyparks.com or at the gate at Cool Creek Park in Westfield.
  5. Robin Hood was known for stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, so bring your nonperishable food donations when you come to Main Street Productions’ Rising Star performers production of “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood,” a comedic twist on the Robin Hood story, at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Basile Westfield Playhouse, directed by Nikki Lynch and Becca Bartley. Visit www.westfieldplayhouse.org.
  6. Carmel Community Players presents the Agatha Christie “Murder on the Orient Express,” adapted by Ken Ludwig, a comedy-mystery whodunit, at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and Aug. 10-12, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 13 at The Cat in Carmel, directed by Lori Raffel, at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Visit www.carmelplayers.org.at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and Aug. 10-12, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 13 at The Cat in Carmel, directed by Lori Raffel, at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Visit www.carmelplayers.org.
  7. Travel to the countryside to hear live music with Anneliese & Ali at 6:30 p.m. today, Ciara Haskett on Saturday, Cookie Decorating & Wine on Aug. 9, Jamie Owens on Aug. 11, The Juan Douglas Trio on Aug. 18 and Jennifer Mlott on Aug. 19 at Spencer Farm Winery in Noblesville. Visit spencerfarmwinery.com
  8. Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and pack a picnic for Conner Prairie’s Symphony on the Prairie, which continues every weekend through the summer. This weekend features Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston, tonight; Tusk: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band, Saturday; The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute on Aug. 11, Here Come the Mummies on Aug. 12, The Marshall Tucker Band on Aug. 18, Unforgettable Fire: U2 Tribute Show on Aug. 19, with tickets at indianapolissymphony.org. Earlier in the day, head to the 1836 Prairietown as the outdoor areas are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, during the 2023 season at Conner Prairie in Fishers.
  9. The Indiana State Fair continues through Aug. 28 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. State Fair Band Day is today.
  10. Enjoy Art at the Market during Noblesville Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Federal Hill Commons in Noblesville. Farmers Market continues 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at Federal Hill Commons in Noblesville. Fishers Farmers Market is open 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through the summer at Nickel Plate District Amphitheater in Fishers.
  11. Hamilton County Artists’ Association is again sponsoring the annual Art Fair on the Square featuring artists displaying and selling their work, live music and family fun from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 5 on the Hamilton County Courthouse Square in downtown Noblesville. Artists are selected by invitation only from the HCAA and based on artist applications.
  12. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for Legacy Keepers Music’s free StringTime Music on the Square monthly series, which continues Saturday night with Stones Crossing bluegrass/gospel band, with Addie McMillan singing The National Anthem, and Noblesville’s Got Talent winners Spenser and (yodeler) Azalia Davidson; and on Sept. 2 with Cornfields & Crossroads, both 6:30-8:15 p.m., on the Hamilton County Courthouse Square in downtown Noblesville.
  13. Central Indiana Vintage Vehicles car club invites car buffs to show off their vintage vehicles on the Courthouse Square during the weekly Saturday night Cruise-in. Lawn chairs and old-car conversations invited.
  14. Carmel native and comic Dave Dugan will bring his act to Daniel’s Vineyard in McCordsville for an outdoor Comedy & Concert event at 7 p.m. Saturday, featuring his comedy act along with The Tempos, an entertaining group whose playlist focuses on the great music of the 1960s and 1970s. Lawn seats, seated tickets and picnic tables are available at danielsvineyard.com.
  15. Check out the comedians at The Brick Room Comedy Club, featuring Ran Barnacalo tonight and Saturday, 8 p.m. showtimes, at Ninth and Maple in downtown Noblesville, with $10 admission tickets at thebrickroom.cc.
  16. Grab a float and watch a flick during Movie Nights at Forest Park Aquatic Center’s 2023 Flix and Floats evenings on the giant LED video board, with the next movie at 8:15 p.m. Saturday, “Madagascar,” Rated PG; 8:15 p.m. Aug. 12, “Cars,” Rated G; 8:15 p.m. Aug. 19, “Remember the Titans,” Rated PG; 7:15 p.m. Sept. 4, “Back to the Future,” Rated PG, admission charged, but free to members, visit forestparkaquaticcenter.com. Pool is open through Labor Day with $8 daily admission.
  17. Enjoy live music featuring Ghosts on Maple at 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Andy Schomburg on Aug. 11, The Dead Squirrels on Aug. 12, Hill and Oaks on Aug. 18, Sam King on Aug. 19 and Sept. 2, Tay Brons on Aug. 25, Donny Coyle on Aug. 26, Oktoberfest on Sept. 8-9, Jason Salyers on Sept. 15, Celtic Rain on Sept. 22 at Primeval Brewing in downtown Noblesville.
  18. Enjoy live music featuring Dead Squirrels on Saturday, John Gilmore on Aug. 12, Craig Thurston on Aug. 17 at Grindstone Public House in Noblesville.
  19. Shop at Sheridan Farmers & Artisan Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 12 and 26, at Biddle Park in Sheridan.
  20. Nickel Plate Arts and artisan friends are bringing out their excess and unusual craft supplies for an epic Art Supply Yard Sale 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Nickel Plate campus at Eighth and Maple, Noblesville.

-Betsy Reason writes about people, places and things in Hamilton County. Contact The Times editor Betsy Reason at betsy@thetimes24-7.com. For more Hamilton County Bicentennial events, visit www.hamcoturns200.com