Kirklin Is Worth the Drive

Just 12 miles north of Zionsville on US 421, Kirklin has antique shops, fresh baked goods at Baked, great food at Bookers, handcrafted coffee at Rise N Brew, and a craft distillery - Travelers Point - making bourbon from locally sourced grains. And this summer, Kirklin Main Street has a full event lineup worth putting on your calendar. Plan your visit at kirklin-mainstreet.org.

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📜 This Week in Indiana History 📜

Abraham Lincoln’s Funeral Train Stops in Indianapolis (1865)

This week in Indiana history, we look back to 1865 when Hoosiers all across the state mourned the death of the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. His funeral train stopped in Indianapolis where he lay in state at the Indiana Statehouse, allowing thousands to the chance to pay their respects from early morning until late at night. The train then continued on to Michigan City, Chicago, and eventually Springfield, Illinois where he was buried.

The moment in Indianapolis was deeply personal for many Hoosiers. Lincoln lived in southern Indiana from age 7 to 21 and later led the country into and out of the Civil War. He symbolized hope and perseverance in his successful effort to preserve the Union.

📰 Hoosier Headlines 📰

Bobcats in Indiana

An Owen County resident recently spotted a bobcat in their yard and posted the video on Reddit. Dozens of Hoosiers then shared their own bobcat sightings, sparking a debate about what Indiana should do with its growing bobcat population.

As Indiana’s only native wild cat, plus a previous 36-year stretch on the endangered species list, you can see why it’s a hot topic. (Get Indiana)

Baseball Season in the Hoosier State

The crack or ping of the bat, smell of popcorn, and quirky promotions you simply don’t see in the big leagues — yeah, it’s baseball season in Indiana.

If you want to see future MLB stars, your best bet is to head to Victory Field in Indianapolis, Parkview Field in Fort Wayne or Four Winds Field in South Bend. The respective seasons for the Indianapolis Indians, Fort Wayne TinCaps and South Bend Cubs are already a month old, but they carry into September, meaning there are ample opportunities to get out to the ballpark.

If you’re looking for college ball, indy ball, or wood-bat collegiate summer baseball league action, there’s plenty of it across the state. Learn about the other Indiana cities that have a baseball team so you can root, root, root for the home team. (Get Indiana)

Speedway City Garage Now Open

Located on the north end of Main Street in Speedway — just a few blocks from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — sits the recently opened Speedway City Garage. Read which coffee company and brewing company paired together for a true Hoosier collaboration. (Get Indiana)

Tippecanoe River State Park: History, Diversity, Community

From the Works Progress Administration to black oak savanna restoration, Tippecanoe River State Park is one of Indiana's most overlooked outdoor gems. Learn more about the park with IN the Parks host Allison Martin. (Get Indiana)

Colts Recap + Indiana Connections in NFL Draft

The Indianapolis Colts entered the 2026 NFL Draft without a first-round pick but still walked out with what many analysts are calling first-round talent on Day 2. (Get Indiana)

Five players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft had ties to Indiana, Notre Dame and Purdue/Westfield High School. See who had their name called. (GetIN.Sports)

Inspiration for Race Day

Looking to kick off the 500 Festival Mini Marathon weekend in Indy in the best way possible? Head to Bottleworks Hotel and join Lindsey Hein and Ally Brettnacher for a live recording of the I’ll Have Another Podcast from 3:30–5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 1.

Tickets are just $25 (and limited to the first 100 purchased!) and include carbs, a goodie bag, a bracelet-making and shoe-decorating bar, and the inspiration you need before the Indy Mini! (Details & Tickets)

Muncie Greenways

Muncie mayor Dan Ridenour was a recent guest on the Get IN Mayor Megaphone series and mentioned two scenic trails as his hidden gems in Indiana. (Learn More)

Taco Tia

Located on 81st Avenue in Merrillville, Taco Tia has a loyal following thanks to its authentic flavors, massive portions and friendly service. If you’re going to be in the region soon, or next Tuesday to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, grab a marg with street tacos or a delicious burrito. (Get Indiana)

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Events This Week

Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever (WNBA Preseason) – Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis – Thursday, April 30 at 3 p.m. - The Fever open their 2026 preseason at home against the Dallas Wings ahead of a highly anticipated regular season. Tickets

Shipshewana MayFest – Downtown Shipshewana – Friday, May 1 from 4–8 p.m. and Saturday, May 2 from 7 a.m.–8:30 p.m. - A free two-day celebration in the heart of Indiana's Amish country featuring the MayFest Parade Saturday at 10 a.m., live entertainment, buggy races, a tractor pull, a 5K road run, cornhole, softball, volleyball, and pickleball tournaments, kids games and more. Details

Civil War Days – Billie Creek Village in Rockville – Saturday, May 2 from 8 a.m.–10 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. - An immersive two-day event in Parke County featuring authentic Civil War battle reenactments at 2:00 p.m. each day, field hospitals, live music, trade demonstrations, blacksmiths, and a charming historic village to explore. Admission is $10 for ages 11 and up, $7 for ages 6–10 and free for 5 and under. Details

Terre Haute German Oberlandler Strassenfest – 1616 Lafayette Ave. in Terre Haute – Saturday, May 2 from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. - A family-friendly celebration of German culture with authentic food and beer, local vendors, and live music from the Streamliners from 4:30–9:30 p.m. Admission is just $1; kids 12 and under get in free. Details

👏 1 Big wIN 👏

After finishing as runners-up in 2025, the Indy Ignite have been on a tear during their 2026 campaign. The Ignite already secured the top seed in the postseason thanks to a 21-5 record in the regular season. Their last two home matches of the season are set for Friday, May 1, vs. Columbus and Sunday, May 3, vs. San Diego at the Fishers Event Center.

The MLV Playoffs are May 7–9 in Dallas. Let’s go Ignite!

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🎧 Why 300,000 People Show Up for This Parade 🎧

🎙 On today's show I sat down with Dave Neff, the new president and CEO of the 500 Festival, a community and civic organization that produces events to enrich the lives of Hoosiers, drive community impact, and celebrate the spirit of the Indy 500.

Neff dives into the organization's 70-year history, its origin inspired by the Kentucky Derby Festival, and his career path through Pacers Sports & Entertainment, ExactTarget, EDGE Mentoring, Prolific, and Purdue's NIL collective Boilermaker Alliance.

Neff explains the 500 Festival's role in community engagement around the Indy 500, including the 50th running of the Indy Mini, the third-largest parade in the U.S. that draws up to 300,000 attendees, the Princess Program, Breakfast at the Brickyard, Kids Day on Monument Circle, and the Memorial Service honoring Gold Star families.

He details year-round work such as a STEM-based fourth-grade education curriculum and Kids Fit, collaboration with IMS and the IMS Museum, and ways Hoosiers can volunteer or intern.

If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about:
- The Origins and Community Impact of 500 Festival
- 500 Festival Events
- How Hoosiers Can Volunteer or Intern with 500 Festival

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