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Budgeting for IN's Biggest Summer Events

Plus - Fever rolling, Indiana 250 honorees on Get IN. Podcast, river floats, and gems in Battle Ground, Fort Wayne, and the Region.

Thursday, July 23rd

Get Indiana’s Weekly Newsletter

Happy Thursday, Hoosiers. The Indiana Fever are breaking records, the state fair is only two weeks away, and school starts soon.

  • This Week in Indiana History: Neil Armstrong Walks on the Moon (1969)

  • How to Budget for Indiana’s Biggest Summer Events

  • Indiana 250: 23 Have Appeared on the Get IN. Podcast

  • Caitlin Clark, Fever Setting Records

  • 5 Underrated Indiana River Floats

  • The Fun Farm in Fort Wayne

  • How the Boilermakers Fared in the NBA Summer League

  • Lessons Learned From Indiana’s 37 Parks

  • Hidden Gems: LaPorte County and Prophet’s Rock

  • Indiana Events

  • 1 Big wIN: IU Lands Top Wide Receiver Recruit in Nation From Lawrence North

  • Get IN. with Nate Spangle: A 17-Year-Old Ran 100 Miles for Riley + Inside the Indy 500 Flyover

This issue is 1,757 words, a 7-minute read.

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📜 This Week in Indiana History 📜

Neil Armstrong Walks on the Moon (1969)

Neil Armstrong enrolled at Purdue University in 1947 to study aeronautical engineering, one of the first schools in the country to offer a degree in the field. His studies were interrupted in 1949 when the Navy called him to flight training, and he flew 78 combat missions as a fighter pilot during the Korean War before returning to Purdue. He went on to become a test pilot and a NASA astronaut, carrying his Purdue roots with him throughout his career.

On July 20, 1969, Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon as commander of Apollo 11. Stepping off the Lunar Module Eagle onto the lunar surface, he spoke the now-famous words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Purdue has since become known as the "Cradle of Astronauts," and Armstrong's achievement remains a defining point of pride for the university.

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📰 Hoosier Headlines 📰

How to Budget for Indiana’s Biggest Summer Events

Whether you’re looking ahead to Gen Con (July 30–Aug. 2) or planning a trip to the Indiana State Fair (Aug. 7–23, closed on Mondays), there are many hidden costs beyond the price of admission that pile up quickly. Our friends at Elements Financial detail those hidden costs and how you can save big. (Get Indiana)

Indiana 250: 23 Have Appeared on the Get IN. Podcast

IBJ Media’s Indiana 250 for 2026 was unveiled earlier this week, and the list is full of the most impactful and influential leaders across the Hoosier State in business, the arts, nonprofits, media, entertainment, and more. Among the 250 honorees, 23 have appeared on the Get IN. Podcast, and three more episodes featuring Indiana 250 honorees will be released in the next month.

Check out the 23 Indiana 250 / Get IN. guests here and listen to their interviews on Apple and Spotify.

Caitlin Clark, Fever Setting Records

Last Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Caitlin Clark became the first player in WNBA history to tally 40+ points and 10+ assists in a game, carrying the Indiana Fever to a 110-107 win over the Seattle Storm. She finished with 45 points, made 6 of 10 three-point shots, and knocked down 17 of her 19 free-throw attempts. Now she’s the NBA 2K27 Deluxe Edition cover athlete.

Then last night at home, the Fever buried the Connecticut Sun behind 70 first-half points, the most points in a half ever for a Fever team and just three shy of tying the WNBA record. They also ended the game with a franchise record 123 points.

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5 Underrated Indiana River Floats

Now, you don’t necessarily need to float one river 84 miles over 4.5 days (Nate’s YouTube video drops soon, subscribe here!)… but if you like canoeing, kayaking, or simply being out on the water, here are some options. (Get Indiana)

The Fun Farm in Fort Wayne

Looking for a spot to keep the kids entertained? The Fun Farm in Fort Wayne spans 25 acres and offers a mix of outdoor activities, farm-themed entertainment, and seasonal events that make it a favorite. Plus, you can bring ‘em out for themed birthday parties, wedding receptions, and celebrations. (Get Indiana)

How the Boilermakers Fared in the NBA Summer League

Four Boilermakers (three being Indiana natives) — Braden Smith (Westfield), Trey Kaufman-Renn (Silver Creek), Fletcher Loyer (Homestead), and Oscar Cluff — played in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Each flashed why they could contribute meaningful minutes to an NBA team in the not-so-distant future. (Get Indiana)

Lessons Learned From Indiana’s 37 Parks

IN the Parks host Allison Martin shares the best Indiana state parks for hiking, paddling, kids, and waterfalls, plus lessons she learned along the way. (Get Indiana)

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LaPorte County

The second-largest county in Indiana is LaPorte County in the Region. Close to Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes, and the oldest county fair. That’s a gem in our book!

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Prophet’s Rock

High above the Wabash River near Battle Ground, Indiana (just a few miles north of Lafayette) sits one of the state's most meaningful historic landmarks. Learn more about the history of Prophet’s Rock and why it’s worth the visit and short hike. (Get Indiana)

What’s your Hidden Gem? Submit here to have it featured!

Hilary Duff: The Lucky Me Tour – Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville – Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m. - Hilary Duff returns to touring with her Lucky Me Tour supporting her album "luck or something," joined by openers La Roux and Jade LeMac. Tickets

Kroger Symphony on the Prairie: The Music of Harry Potter – Conner Prairie Amphitheatre in Fishers – Friday, July 24 at 8 p.m. - The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs "An Evening at Hogwarts" with the magical film scores of the Harry Potter series under the stars. Tickets

Bloomerang! Fest featuring Shannon Shaw – The Back Door in Bloomington – Friday, July 24 at 4 p.m. - Bloomington's summer indie showcase brings garage-rock queen Shannon Shaw (Shannon & the Clams) plus a lineup of underground acts to the Back Door. Details

31st Annual Frankfort Hot Dog Festival – Downtown Frankfort – Friday–Saturday, July 24–25 - Indiana's largest two-day hot dog festival features 20+ varieties on the Hot Dog Trail, a hot dog eating contest, DockDogs canine aquatics, Doxie races, a 3-ring circus, and 200+ vendors around the Clinton County Courthouse Square. Details

Lake James Antique & Classic Boat Show – Lake James/Jimmerson Lake Bridge in Angola – Saturday, July 25 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. - The boat show features approximately 60 antique boats on the water, plus antique cars on land. Enjoy food, vendors, and a live performance by The DeeBee’s. Details

Central Park Art Festival – Central Park in Mishawaka – Saturday–Sunday, July 25–26 at 10 a.m. - Free art festival featuring 200+ fine artists and craft vendors, live music, food trucks, splash pad access, and community performances in northern Indiana. Details

👏 1 Big wIN 👏

Indiana’s own is staying home. Lawrence North wide receiver Monshun Sales is the #1 WR recruit in the nation for the Class of 2027, and he announced his commitment to Indiana University last weekend. See what Get IN. Sports’ Dom Miranda had to say about the biggest recruit in IU football history.

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🎙 On today's show I sat down with two special guests: Center Grove high schooler Charlie Rolfsen, who completed a 100-mile run and raised $24,000 for Riley Hospital for Children, and Colonel Scott Oden, Aviation Commander of the 38th Combat Aviation Brigade for the Indiana National Guard, who was the lead Black Hawk pilot for the Indy 500 driver's lap escort.

Rolfsen, with only 30 days of training, ran 100 miles in April, starting and ending at Center Grove High School. He explains his first spontaneous attempt of 65 miles, his neighborhood one-mile loop route that erased 80 miles, community pacing support, and the toughest overnight stretch when he struggled to eat and stay awake. Rolfsen's older sister went to Riley at an early age, and he credits the hospital for saving her and many of his friends' lives.

Colonel Oden then joins the show to share his experience as a Black Hawk pilot for the Indy 500, detailing how the unit was selected, rehearsals, second-by-second timing, flight speed, cockpit perspective over the crowd, and returning to watch the race after the mission.

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:
- What Inspired Charlie Rolfsen to Run 100 Miles
- How Rolfsen Raised $24,000 for Riley Hospital for Children
- A Day in the Life of an Indy 500 Black Hawk Pilot

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