August is full of back to school excitement and preparations, but don't get so busy that you forget to enjoy the last full month of summer! There are still plenty of fun activities and events to enjoy throughout the month of August. Here's a quick list of 10 events you'll want to get on your calendar for the month ahead. Additional details on these and lots of other great upcoming events can be found on our Event Calendar.
Morgan County Fair
July 29 through August 6, the Morgan County Fairgrounds plays host to exhibits, animals, and a variety of special events. Midway rides open up on Sunday evening and run through Saturday with kiddie days on Wednesday, August 2 and Saturday, August 5 featuring unlimited rides between 1 and 5 pm for $13. Family nights feature unlimited rides for $18 per person from 6 pm until closing Monday through Friday. The Free Stage will feature free entertainment each day ranging from Agricultural Storybook Time and Silly Safaris Live Animal Show to several live bands and the traditional Sunday Vesper Service. Grandstand events include Truck and Tractor Pulls, ATVs, Dirt Bikes, Horse Pulls, the Craig Morgan and Kellie Pickler concert and two nights of Demolition Derby action! Oh, and don't forget all that yummy fair food...
Link Observatory
Stop by the Link Observatory Space Science Institute to learn more about the night skies above us! They'll have three opportunities to visit in August. On Saturday, August 5, they'll host open observation hours for star (and planet) gazing. On Thursday, August 17, they'll have open hours during the day, from 10 am to 4 pm. Come learn more about the facility and its history. Finally, on Saturday, August 19, you can enjoy a special multi media presentation at the Mooresville Public Library, followed by observatory viewing on site at Link.
Old Settlers Festival
A long-time Morgan County tradition, as soon as the County Fair ends in Martinsville, attention shifts to Mooresville and the annual Old Settlers Festival! Enjoy a fun, small-town gathering featuring live entertainment, lots of community booths, carnival games and rides and of course excellent food! The event kicks off on Sunday, August 6 with a parade, then the carnival opens up at Pioneer Park, where the celebration continues through Tuesday night, August 8.
Triple Feature Horror Films
If you love being scared, this is the event for you! Once the family-friendly films of summer have been shown and school is back in session, The Centerbrook Drive In is preparing to host two weekends of Triple Feature Horror Films! Enjoy three spine-chilling films for one price on the weekends of August 11 and 18. Featured films include Annabelle: Creation, Wish Upon, It Comes at Night, 47 Meters Down and more.
Touch A Truck
Bring the kids out for this fun event from the Recreation Experience at the Morgan County Farmers Market. As usual, Saturday Market will take place on the courthouse square from 9 am to 1 pm, but on August 12 all your favorite big vehicles will invade the square from 10 am to 12 pm! Kids will be able to get up close and personal with all their favorite big trucks, emergency vehicles and even farm tractors! The first half hour of the event is always horn free for those children with noise sensitivities. Stop by to Touch A Truck, then enjoy the rest of the Farmers Market and take home some fresh locally grown goodness!
Dirt Track Racing
Enjoy summer racing and family fun at its best with upcoming race nights at Paragon Speedway. Upcoming events in August include the 27th Johnson Memorial Springs on August 12, MMSA Winged Mini-Sprints and Kids' Night on August 19 and Champions Night on August 26. Kids of all ages will enjoy the racing action on the dirt oval, featuring local and regional drivers. Grandstands open at 5 pm, practice laps start just after 6 pm and racing starts at 7:30 pm. As always, kids age 12 and under are free with an adult.
CIBA Mystic Menagerie Bicycle Tour
For over 25 years, bicyclists have been returning each year to the Martinsville area to enjoy this fun scenic tour. This year's Mystic Menagerie tour will be on August 12. Three different length routes are available - 18, 32 and 62 miles - but don't worry, each route is a beautiful, scenic ride through the Morgan County countryside. Participants meet at South Elementary School in Martinsville and depart at 8 am. Riders of all levels are welcome.
Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive
This annual event serves to remind us of the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation of the World War II era, and others who have since served our nation. Join Indiana Spirit of '45 on August 13 at the Martinsville High School Auditorium at 1:30 pm, to honor and remember those who serve and sacrifice. This even serves to pass the spirit of the Greatest Generation on to the community at large and Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive for the future. This free event will feature live music, static displays, and more.
Home Games
Join Martinsville's Community Theatre Company, The Merry MAC Players, for a fun romantic comedy production titled Home Games. The story is that of Mertle Mae Tucker and her dad, a former Yankee who retired rather than be traded to Cleveland. Find out what happens when Mertle's new love interest enters the picture. Performances take place at the historic Depot Theatre, a former train depot turned intimate performance venue, on August 18-27 on Friday and Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2:30 pm. Tickets are available online.
Race to the Top Trail Run & Hill Sprint
The Park Hill at Jimmy Nash City Park is legendary for winter sledding fun, but are you up for the challenge of sprinting the hill? This fun new event features a two-mile nature trail run over rugged terrain that ends at the top of Park Hill, a Youth Hill Sprint Race involving one trip up the hill for those age 12 and under, and the main event - the Park Hill Sprint, where participants will start at the bottom, run to the top of Park Hill, back down and then a final Race to the Top. Awards will be given in 1st - 3rd place in men's and women's divisions in three age groups. Youth awards will be given for each age up to 12. The family-friendly event takes place on August 19, and there's even on site childcare available for racers!
