July conjures up images of lazy days, fireworks, lightning bugs, summer fun, live music and outdoor dining. Don't forget to plan a visit to the great outdoors. Our calendar is filling up fast with summer activities, so be sure to get some of these fun events on your calendar to celebrate summer in Morgan County (and be sure to keep an eye out for Waldo!).
Mondays - Pioneer Pathfinders Walk
Meet at Pioneer Park, every Monday for this casual walk around the park. Locals and visitors are all welcome to participate in this public health and fitness initiative. Meet at Shelter #2, walk begins at 9 am.
Tuesdays & Saturdays - Morgan County Farmers Market
Join local growers and crafters twice each week for the Morgan County Farmers Market. The Market takes place on Tuesdays in Mooresville from 3 to 6 pm at the Friends Church and on Saturdays in Martinsville from 9 am to 1 pm at The Main Connection.
Wednesdays - Martinsville in Motion City Walk
All are welcome to participate in this local health and fitness initiative in downtown Martinsville. Enjoy a stroll around the community every Wednesday at Noon. There are three routes with varying distances. Meet up outside of Churches in Mission on Pike Street.
Wednesdays - Kids' Summer Movie Series
Mooresville Showtime Cinema will continue their Kids' Summer Movie Series on Wednesdays through the end of July. Admission for this series of fun, kid-friendly movies is 50 cents per person or canned goods that will be donated to Churches in Mission. An especially good option on super-hot or rainy summer days, this is always a crowd pleaser for the kids! Show time is 10 am.
Thursdays - Martinsville Cruise-in
Each week, on Thursdays beginning at 5 pm, you'll see some of the coolest cars, trucks and even motorcycles in the region at the Martinsville Cruise-in. This long-time event is relocating this month to Burton Lane. You'll find them near the TraderBaker Flea Market and BMO Bank. Luckily, this location is in easy walking distance of Sgt. Pepper's chicken, as well as several fast food options! Come browse the coolest cars around each week in Martinsville!
2nd & 4th Thursdays - Eminence Summer Market & Cruise-In
The Eminence Community Schools PTO is sponsoring a new Summer Market and Cruise-in event on the second and fourth Thursdays throughout the summer. Stop by between 6 and 8 pm to browse local vendor booths filled with home grown produce, handmade items, baked goods and more, plus indulge in the on site food truck! Be sure to drive your classic car or truck if you have one, and check out all the other cool vehicles in attendance!
Fridays - Taps on the Square
Join Spirit of '45 and the American Legion Post 230 Riders on Friday evenings for Taps on the Square. This weekly tradition in Martinsville typically takes place on the southwest corner of the Courthouse lawn each week to honor American heroes lost that week. Folks will begin to gather around 6:30 pm, names are read at approximately 6:50 pm and echoing Taps is played by live buglers at the seventh bell (7 pm). In mid-July, the location will change to the Veteran's Memorial Park at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets on the southeast corner of the square, where it will remain until mid-November.
1st & 3rd Saturdays - Morgantown Farm Market
Stop by the Morgantown Farm Market on the first and third Saturdays of each month. You'll find them outside the Morgantown First United Methodist Church, located at the corner of Washington and Church Streets. Browse locally grown produce, honey, baked goods and more!
July 4 - Martinsville Independence Day Parade
Join the Indiana Spirit of '45 for a fun, old fashioned Independence Day Parade! The Annual 4th of July Parade will step off at 10 am on Friday, July 4, beginning at (and returning to) John R Wooden Middle School. All are welcome to participate.
July 4 - Live Music & Fireworks
You can't go wrong with fireworks on the Fourth of July! Choose from fireworks displays (and live music) launched from Pioneer Park in Mooresville or Jimmy Nash City Park in Martinsville, both on the 4th. Both July 4 fireworks shows are set to begin at dusk. Live music begins earlier in the day at both venues. See our Independence Day blog post or Calendar of Events for more details on performers at both locations. Food vendors will be on hand at both locations as well. Be sure to bring your blankets or lawn chairs (and maybe some bug spray, too)!
July 5-12 - Morgan County Fair
Meet up at the Fairgrounds for the Morgan County Fair, July 5-12. You'll enjoy great food, entertainment, grandstand events, 4-H exhibits and more! Por Jack Amusements will be on hand with their carnival rides and midway, beginning Monday, July 7. Don't miss the Free Stage with live performances every day! Grandstand events will include D&D Pro Rodeo, Truck and Tractor Pull, Tuff Truck, 4-H Night with a human tractor pull and more, ATV Racing, Dirt Bike Racing and of course some Demolition Derby action! New this year, a FREE butterfly exhibit will be on site where participants can feed the butterflies! See the Morgan County Fair listing on our calendar for the full schedule.
July 5 - Live Music: Cody Ikerd & The Sidewinders
Join Cedar Creek Winery, Brew Co & Distillery on Saturday, July 5 for live music on the outdoor stage from popular regional entertainers Cody Ikerd & The Sidewinders. Indulge in your favorite locally-crafted beverages and don't forget about their amazing eatery menu as well! This is a free performance and all ages are welcome. Music starts at 6 pm. No coolers. Food and drink available on site.
July 5 - Live Music: Rich Dowell
Black Dog Brewing Company presents the LIVE @ Black Dog Summer Patio Concert Series, every Saturday through October 4! The patio is open, the beer is cold, the flat bread pizza is hot, and all are welcome! Beginning at 7 pm, Rich Dowell will perform on July 5.
July 5 - Open Mic & Pints
The Main Street Grill in Monrovia invites you to enjoy a monthly Open Mic Night on the First Saturday of each month. Come out from 8 to 11 pm to join in the fun. All musicians, songwriters and singers are welcome to sign up to perform, or just come and enjoy the local talent!
July 10 & 12 - Terra Flora Gardens FREE Tours
Each year, the gorgeous Terra Flora Gardens are open for public tours for one weekend only. That weekend is July 10 & 12 this year! Come experience the beauty of these privately owned gardens featuring twenty themed gardens to explore. Roam and relax as you explore more than two acres containing a wide assortment of annuals, hardy perennials, ponds, waterfalls and art.
July 11 - 2nd Friday Open Studios & Veterans Creative Arts Festival
Browse the open artist studios at the Art Sanctuary of Indiana on Friday, July 11, beginning at 6 pm. The featured exhibition this month will be the Veterans Creative Arts Festival, which is an annual event organized by the American Legion Post 230 Auxiliary to celebrate the creative works of veterans and their children.
July 11 - Free Summer Concert: Living Proof
Pioneer Park will host a Free Summer Concert on Friday, July 11 featuring Living Proof. Music begins at 7 pm. Bring your own seating, picnics are welcome, but there will be food and drinks available on site. No outside alcohol. The stage will be set up in the grassy area between the Aquatic Center and the parking area for the ball fields. All are welcome.
July 11-27 - Gypsy: A Musical Fable
The Martinsville Arts Council presents Gypsy: A Musical Fable, the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success – while secretly yearning for her own. Performances will take place at The Depot Theatre in Martinsville on July 11-13, 18-20, and 25-17 at 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 pm on Sundays.
July 12 - Mooresville Street Fair
Head to downtown Mooresville for a fun Street Fair on July 12 from 10 am to 3 pm! The Downtown Mooresville Street Fair will feature a wide variety of vendors, live music, food trucks, shopping and even a bounce house for the kids! Located at Indiana and East Main Street, next to Bicentennial Park, this is a great opportunity to get out and enjoy a day in Mooresville.
July 12 - Customer Appreciation Day
Yellow Moon Antique Mall will host a Customer Appreciation Day on July 12, during their open hours of 10 am to 5 pm. There will be sales throughout the shop and customers will receive a free plant with any purchase of $10 or more! It's the perfect reason to head for downtown Mooresville to search for new-to-you treasures!
July 12 - Drink at the Creek: Hot Red Chili Peppers & Whatever Nevermind
Cedar Creek Winery, Brew Co & Distillery will host another Drink at the Creek Concert on Saturday, July 12, featuring the music of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana, courtesy of the Hot Red Chili Peppers and Whatever Nevermind. Music begins at 5 pm. Bring your own seating. Picnics are welcome, but coolers must be 12"x15" or smaller. No outside alcohol. Food trucks on site, plus the Cedar Creek Eatery will be open as well. Get tickets in advance online, or at the gate.
July 12 - Dirt Track Racing - Johnson Memorial & Ticket to Tulsa
Join Paragon Speedway for racing under the lights on this traditional dirt track oval. Dirt track racing at Paragon takes place most Saturdays and typically features several classes of cars each night. Pit passes are available. General admission for kids age 10 and under is free with a paid adult admission unless special event pricing is in effect. June 12 will feature the Johnson Memorial and Ticket to Tulsa Night 7.
July 12 - Live Music at Willowfield Lavender Farm
Willowfield Lavender Farm in Mooresville is in full bloom, and they invite you to join them for some live music in the lavender field this summer! On July 12, beginning at 5 pm, bring your picnic and seating to enjoy a concert amid the lavender. Mallow Run Winery will be on site with tastings and wine sales and Willowfield's own signature lavender tea and cookies will be available in the shop. All ages welcome!
July 12 - Live Music: Bittersweet
Black Dog Brewing Company presents the LIVE @ Black Dog Summer Patio Concert Series, every Saturday through October 4! The patio is open, the beer is cold, the flat bread pizza is hot, and all are welcome! On July 12, Bittersweet will perform beginning at 7 pm.
July 17 - FREE Summer Concert: GrooveSmash
Head for Bicentennial Park in downtown Mooresville for another Free Summer Concert on Friday, July 17. Featured performers will be regional favorites GrooveSmash. Music begins at 7 pm. Food and drinks available on site, or grab takeout from a locally owned eatery! Picnics welcome, no outside alcohol. Bring your own seating. All ages welcome.
July 18 - Free Summer Concert Rebekah Meldrum Band
Enjoy a special live music event in downtown Martinsville on Friday, July 18 with the Rebekah Meldrum Band. Attendees will enjoy live music beginning at 7:30 pm at The Venue in downtown Martinsville. Bring your own seating; food trucks are typically on site and downtown eateries area open for dine in before the show, or carryout!
July 19 - Community Drum & Dance Circle
Come and experience why, for thousands of years, people around the world have been co-creating in drum and dance circles for community connection, creativity, and self expression. Learn more about it and how to participate or enhance your participation! Join the circle on June 7 at 4 pm at the outdoor performance venue in downtown Martinsville. Bring a drum if you have one, or reserve a drum to use. Dancers welcome, too. All experience levels (including no experience) welcome.
July 19 - Drink at the Creek: The Woomblies Rock Orchestra & Atom Heart Mother
Cedar Creek Winery, Brew Co & Distillery will host another Drink at the Creek Concert on Saturday, July 19, featuring The Woomblies Rock Orchestra and Atom Heart Mother (a Pink Floyd tribute band). Music begins at 5 pm. Bring your own seating. Picnics are welcome, but coolers must be 12"x15" or smaller. No outside alcohol. Food trucks on site, plus the Cedar Creek Eatery will be open as well. Get tickets in advance online, or at the gate.
July 19 - Dirt Track Racing - Johnson Memorial & Ticket to Tulsa
Join Paragon Speedway for racing under the lights on this traditional dirt track oval. Dirt track racing at Paragon takes place most Saturdays and typically features several classes of cars each night. Pit passes are available. General admission for kids age 10 and under is free with a paid adult admission unless special event pricing is in effect. June 19 will feature the Midwest Thunder 410s and the Leon Gentry Memorial.
July 19 - Live Music: Analiese & Ali
Black Dog Brewing Company presents the LIVE @ Black Dog Summer Patio Concert Series, every Saturday through October 4! The patio is open, the beer is cold, the flat bread pizza is hot, and all are welcome! Beginning at 7 pm, Analiese and Ali will perform on July 19.
July 19 - Open MIc Night & Pints
The Main Street Grill in Martinsville invites you to enjoy a monthly Open Mic Night on the third Saturday of each month. Come out from 8 to 11 pm to join in the fun. All musicians, songwriters and singers are welcome to sign up to perform, or just come and enjoy the local talent!
July 24-26 - Christmas in July
The Martinsville Candy Kitchen invites you to enjoy Christmas in July! This July 24-26, several downtown merchants will participate along with the Martinsville Candy Kitchen in this fun new event. On July 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm and July 16 from 11 am to 1 pm, plan to stop by and visit with Santa at the Candy Kitchen, and watch them make candy canes by hand (watch for specific pour times). On Saturday, you can come decorate your own gingerbread man sugar cookie (must reserve a time), or reserve a space at The Sterling Butterfly to create your own beaded ornament! Throughout this time period, you can earn a free candy cane at participating businesses by making a purchase and donating an item for a local food pantry. This Buy One, Give One, Get One process can be done at all participating locations!
July 25 - Dust Bowl 100 Kids' Race
The Dust Bowl 100, presented by Zipp, will host a special Kids' Race on the night before the big event. Join them for a half mile course that starts under the Dust Bowl 100 Arch, goes through the vendor expo and down a gravel drive, before finishing in the same ¼ mile finish chute as the big race! The kids race is FREE and is open to ages 3 to 12, with three age divisions.
July 25 - FREE Summer Concert: Big Rosco & The Hammers
Pioneer Park will host a Free Summer Concert on Friday, July 25 featuring Big Rosco & The Hammers. Music begins at 7 pm. Bring your own seating, picnics are welcome, but there will be food and drinks available on site. No outside alcohol. The stage will be set up in the grassy area between the Aquatic Center and the parking area for the ball fields. All are welcome.
July 25 - Martinsville VFW Post 1257 Steak n Fish Dinner
The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1257 in Martinsville hosts a steak n fish dinner on the fourth Friday of each month at their location, 1000 Josephine Street. Meal choices are steak, baked potato, and salad for $20 per plate or fish, fries, and cole slaw for $15 per plate. This monthly event is open to the public and sometimes is followed by live music.
July 26 - Kids' Triathlon
Mooresville Parks & Recreation will host a Kids' Triathlon event on July 26 at Pioneer Park. This will be a fun, noncompetitive event designed to inspire children to embrace an active lifestyle with no pressure to be timed. The Kids' Triathlon will encourage young athletes to participate in a swim, bike and run challenge that promotes friendly competition, camaraderie, and healthy physical activity. Cost is $40 per child and the event begins at the Mooresville Aquatic Center, at 9 am.
July 26 - Dust Bowl 100 Gravel Bike Race
The tiny town of Eminence will welcome bicyclists from around Indiana and beyond for the Dust Bowl 100 Gravel Bike Race on Saturday, July 26. That's right, 100 miles of bicycling on some of the finest gravel roads in Indiana! Participants will cross several historic bridges and roll through scenic vistas in Morgan and Putnam Counties. The number of participants is limited and pre-registration is a must, but spectators are welcome to cheer them on at the start/finish or along the route.
July 26 - Live Music: Doug Dillman
Black Dog Brewing Company presents the LIVE @ Black Dog Summer Patio Concert Series, every Saturday through October 4! The patio is open, the beer is cold, the flat bread pizza is hot, and all are welcome! Doug Dillman will perform on July 26, beginning at 7 pm.
July 26 - Live Music: Michael McCartney
Join Cedar Creek Winery, Brew Co & Distillery on on July 26 for an evening of live music from the Michael McCartney Band on the outdoor stage, beginning at 6 pm. This is a family friendly event, bring your lawn chairs! No coolers permitted. Food and drink will be available on site.
July 30 - Morgan in Motion 5K Fun Run/Walk
Join the YMCA of Morgan County for the Morgan in Motion 5K Run/Walk Series on the last Wednesday of each month, April through October. Each month, the run/walk takes place at a different location within the county, featuring parks and camps. This is a free, family-friendly event. Race begins at 6 pm. This month's location is Burkhart Creek Park, near Paragon.
July 30 - Tread Trimmers Car Club Culver's Cruise In
The Tread Trimmers Car Club of Martinsville invites you to join them for a monthly cruise in event at the Culver's location at the corner of Ohio Street and Prather Drive, Martinsville on the last Wednesday of each month. Stop by from 5 to 8 pm to check out all the cool classic and unique vehicles!
July 31 - Mooresville Old Settlers Fair
This fun annual event begins July 31 this year and runs through August 3 at Mooresville's Pioneer Park, giving you the entire weekend to enjoy the rides, games and performances at this final summer festival before we look toward fall. Lots of community booths, great food, live musical performances and more are always on hand - and don't miss the parade!
