GREENFIELD — ArtoberFest, a new arts festival, kicks off Oct. 10 in Greenfield at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St. Billed as a celebration of art, music and culture, this street festival event will include live music, a beer garden, food trucks and a DJ.
Event organizer Bryan Schmidt has the vision and the goal of creating an event that will encompass every aspect of the arts and will bring in the masses.
“Everyone has their own idea of what art is,” Schmidt said. “We hope to create an event on the map that people will return to every year.”
The main event for the evening is music. Bands playing a variety of genres will perform both inside the Ricks and on a stage in the alley behind the Ricks. Organizers say their sound will hit all demographics.
The Cosmic Situation, a trio whose music has a heavy soul and jazz infusion, will play in the theater from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Groove Garden, a collection of California musicians who play classic rock, will play on the outdoor stage during that same time and on the indoor stage at 6:45 p.m.
At 6:45 p.m., the headliner — White Lightning Boys, a band out of Nashville, Indiana — will play on the outdoor stage and again on the indoor stage at 8:30 p.m. The White Lightning Boys play bluegrass on a variety of instruments including banjo, fiddle, dobro, guitar and mandolin.
At 8:30 p.m., Indianapolis musician Julia Kahn will sing a mix of pop and rhythm and blues on the outdoor stage.
Organizers say their goal is to bring awareness to the Hancock County Arts Council and to create an upbeat artistic social environment for the over-21 crowd looking for something different.
Dave Scott, manager of the Ricks Centre in Greenfield, is looking forward to ArtoberFest.
“Special events are always good for the downtown,” Scott said. “They bring people to the community, and they’re good for the businesses. People soon realize that they don’t have to drive to Indianapolis for their entertainment.”
Sponsors for the event include NineStar Connect and the Daily Reporter. The beer garden will be managed by the Greenfield Rotary Club.
In addition to the musical entertainment, organizers are hoping to bring in some other elements to the event, including art and craft vendors, some local arts groups and a silent auction.
“The Ricks is a great location for an event,” Schmidt said. “And we want to show that Greenfield is just as innovative as anyone else with this.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Hancock County Arts and Cultural Council and Hancock Hope House, the county’s lone homeless shelter.
Tickets are $10. A $20 ticket includes two drink tickets. For more information or to buy your tickets, visit artoberfest hancock.com.
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ArtoberFest, a new arts festival, runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 10 at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St. in Greenfield. This street festival event includes live music, a beer garden, food trucks and a DJ. Tickets are $10. A $20 ticket includes two drink vouchers. For more information or to buy tickets, visit artoberfesthancock.com.
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