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Crazy Road Trips, U-Pick Berry Farms, & 500 Vibes

Plus - Outdoor adventures await at a new Zionsville nature preserve, Hardy Lake, and Cool Creek Park.

Thursday, May 7th

Get Indiana’s Weekly Newsletter

Happy Thursday, Hoosiers. If not on race day, have you still made some plans to get to Indianapolis Motor Speedway this month?

  • This Week in Indiana History: Purdue University Is Established (1869)

  • The Quirkiest Road Trip

  • How to Spend Three Full Weeks in Indiana

  • New Nature Preserve Opening

  • Tips for Visiting U-Pick Berry Farms

  • Everything Indy 500

  • Hardy Lake: Where the Raptor Center Soars

  • Plans for 7 Brew Coffee

  • IHSAA Approves NIL Compensation for High School Athletes

  • Hidden Gems: Cool Creek Park and Mecca Tavern

  • Indiana Events

  • 1 Big wIN: Ball State Men’s Volleyball to the Final Four

  • Get IN. with Nate Spangle: How Can a Fast-Growing Town Keep Its Identity?

This issue is 1,683 words, a 6-minute read.

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📜 This Week in Indiana History 📜

Purdue University Is Established (1869)

This week in Indiana history we are celebrating Purdue University, which was established this week in 1869. It was named after John Purdue, a wealthy industrialist from Lafayette who was the university’s first benefactor. Classes officially began five years later in 1874 with six instructors and 39 students.

Today, Purdue has swelled to over 57,000 students (the largest university in the state), and has one of the highest-ranked engineering programs in the country. Fun fact: Astronauts (and moon-walkers) Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Gene Cernan all went to Purdue, giving the university the nickname “Cradle of Astronauts.”

The next time you’re passing through West Lafayette for a basketball game (where the Boilermakers are one of the best programs in the country), or if you’re just wanting to visit the campus, Purdue University is a gem in the state of Indiana.

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📰 Hoosier Headlines 📰

The Quirkiest Road Trip

Grant County is home to what is arguably Indiana’s most fun and quirkiest road trip — the Garfield Trail. There are 14 statues of the lasagna-loving comic strip cat spread across the county, making for the perfect weekend stroll while you explore east-central Indiana. But why Garfield? Find out here. (Get Indiana)

How to Spend Three Full Weeks in Indiana

A grand total of 21 days and so many hours to fill. You’re in Indiana (or entertaining guests) for three weeks and want to see as much as possible. Here’s the full itinerary, covering north, south, east and west. (Get Indiana)

New Nature Preserve Opening

The former grounds of Wolf Run Golf Club in Zionsville will soon open to the public on May 21 as the Carpenter Nature Preserve. The 215-acre preserve will be the largest in Boone County with features including trails, an outdoor amphitheater, nature playground, and more. (IBJ)

Tips for Visiting U-Pick Berry Farms

With summer around the corner, now is the perfect time to plan a berry-picking adventure. Whether you're a seasoned picker or a first-time visitor, U-pick farms are a fun way to soak up the sunshine and support local growers. Here are a few tips before you go. (Get Indiana)

Here’s a list of U-pick berry farms across the Hoosier State. (PickYourOwn)

Everything Indy 500

It’s May in Indiana, meaning we’re counting the days until the 110th Running of the Indy 500 and the Get Indiana crew setting up shop in Turn 3.

Learn more about the history of the Indy 500, from the inaugural race in 1911 to present day. (Get Indiana)

The full field of drivers in the Indy 500 are asked one simple question before race day: Whole, 2%, or fat-free? This feature dives into the important roles filled on race day, ensuring the milk is stored properly and delivered safely to the winning driver. (Get Indiana)

Two Get Indiana x Indy 500 hats just dropped. Get ‘em while they last! (Get Indiana)

Four drivers have won the Indy 500 four times. Can you name them? (Get Indiana)

Hardy Lake: Where the Raptor Center Soars

IN the Parks Podcast host and Indiana state parks expert Allison Martin details why Hardy Lake, located in southeast Indiana near Austin and Scottsburg, makes for a great visit year-round. (Get Indiana)

Plans for 7 Brew Coffee

Fishers has plans to add a 7 Brew Coffee to its drive-thru list on 96th Street near the I-69 interchange. The 96th Street corridor already has a Raising Cane’s, Starbucks, and Portillo’s, and the Arkansas-based drive-thru-only 7 Brew Coffee — with more than 600 locations across the country — is expected to join the list. (Get Indiana)

IHSAA Approves NIL Compensation for High School Athletes

Indiana high school athletes will be allowed to monetize their name, image, and likeness thanks to a new rule that was approved by the IHSAA board of directors. Rules are rules, we don’t make ‘em… but know that Get Indiana is looking to sign its first athlete for the coming school year!

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If you’ve been craving a change of scenery, Wabash County is the kind of easy getaway that feels like a real break without going too far. 

From paddling the river and exploring scenic trails to shopping small and enjoying great local food, it’s a place where you can slow down and make a full day of it. Spend the morning outdoors, the afternoon discovering downtown, and wrap it up with live entertainment or a special event. It’s relaxed, welcoming, and full of those little unexpected moments that make a trip memorable. Learn more at visitwabashcounty.com.

*This is a paid ad

Cool Creek Park

Looking to cool off and explore more of Indiana this summer? Get IN. Podcast guest Nick Smarrelli tells us why Cool Creek Park in Carmel is a gem of all gems.

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Mecca Tavern

Located in the small town of Mecca (population 278 as of the 2024 census) in Parke County is Mecca Tavern, which has been serving guests since 1899. If you’re headed to west-central Indiana this summer or the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival in October, here’s why this small-town tavern should be on your must-visit list.

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

Events This Week

Morgan Wallen: Still the Problem Tour – Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis – Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 (evening) - One of country music's biggest stars brings his massive "Still the Problem Tour" to Indianapolis with opening acts Brooks & Dunn, Hudson Westbrook, and Zach John King. Tickets

Sonsio Grand Prix – Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Saturday, May 9 - The NTT INDYCAR SERIES takes to the IMS road course for the Sonsio Grand Prix. Tickets

Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever (2026 Season Opener) – Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis – Saturday, May 9 at 1 p.m. - The Fever open their 2026 season at home in the battle of the last four No. 1 overall draft picks — Aliyah Boston (‘23) and Caitlin Clark (‘24) for Indiana vs. Paige Bueckers (‘25) and Azzi Fudd (‘26). Tickets

Columbus on Tap Craft Beer, Wine & Spirits Festivals – Mill Race Park in Columbus – Saturday, May 9 from 1 – 5 p.m. - The 3rd annual Columbus on Tap returns with unlimited pours from 50+ craft breweries, distilleries, and wineries, plus live music from The Tiptonians, local food, art, and games. 21+ event. Tickets

Enchanted Mayhem Music Festival – The Enchanted Forest & Music Hall in New Albany – Saturday, May 9 from 3 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. - This southern Indiana music tradition returns with two stages of non-stop local and regional artists, plus vendors, food, and drinks in an outdoor setting. Tickets

👏 1 Big wIN 👏

The prestigious Ball State men's volleyball team did something the program hasn't done in 30 years: win an NCAA tournament match at Riverview Health Arena in Noblesville.

Down 14-12 in the fifth set, one Pepperdine point away from elimination, the Cardinals scored four straight to take the regional final 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 19-25, 16-14) and punch their ticket to the Final Four at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. (Get Indiana)

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🎙 On today's show I sat down with Zionsville mayor John Stehr, who has prioritized the city's small-town identity despite its population more than doubling since 2010.

A former TV journalist of 42 years and longtime WTHR anchor, Stehr was elected as the mayor of Zionsville in 2023 after running on better communication, civility, and responsible growth. He recalls his broadcasting path from Pittsburgh through multiple markets, his view of news, and why he left as media economics and opinion pressures increased.

John explains how serving on the parks board revealed communication gaps that motivated his campaign, including knocking on over 5,000 doors and focusing on listening.

As mayor, his priorities include improving traffic and emergency access near the Brick Street area with a planned double-roundabout realignment, managing rapid population growth while preserving Zionsville's charming character, supporting housing needs, and backing community projects like parks improvements, a youth advisory council, and a Watch Us Farm initiative for adults with developmental disabilities.
 
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:
- Door-to-Door Campaigning
- Responsibilities of Being a Mayor
- The Watch Us Farm Initiative

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