Two area summer festivals mark the end of vacation time and the return to school: the Pennsy Trail Art Fair and Music Festival (July 29) and the Morristown Derby Days (July 28 and 29.) The Pennsy fair celebrates creativity, while Derby Days focuses on community and family. Both have much to offer to anyone looking for a last blast of summer fun.
Pennsy Trail Art Fair and Music Festival
GREENFIELD – The sights and sounds of the Pennsy Trail Art Fair and Music Festival return to the lawn of the Hancock County Courthouse, 9 E. Main St., on July 29.
This one-day arts-focused fundraiser for Mental Health Partners of Hancock County celebrates its 15th year with a new event: the MHP Grand Prix – a big wheel race for adults.
Riding an adult-sized big wheel, teams of five compete against each other in a bracketed tournament until a winner is declared.
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Another competitive event being offered is 5K run and 3-mile walk beginning at 9:30 a.m. with the MHP Grand Prix at 12:30 p.m.
Registration is still open for the big wheel race and the road races, said Kim Hall, director of Mental Health Partners of Hancock County.
Winners will get a cash prize, she said.
The Ducky Derby, the MHP’s traditional raffle drawing for prizes, begins at 3:45 p.m. Rubber duckies can be purchased for $5 each or three for $10 throughout the day to win a variety of raffle prizes. Participants need not be present to win.
More than 25 artists will be set up at the festival selling jewelry, ceramics photographs and artwork. Local businesses and organizations will also be on the grounds.
On the music side of the event, local dancers from the Wilkerson Dance Studio, along with three area musical groups, will perform.
The Scofflaws play from 10 a.m. to noon. Jordan Bennett, a new acoustic performer on the music circuit, plays at 1 p.m. The Goats of Sweden featuring Aidan Sturgeon and Caleb Davis from Lapel, return from last year’s event to take the stage at 2:30 p.m.
The hours for the fair are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and visitors can enjoy wandering through the vendor area of artists, local businesses and food service.
For more information, visit Pennsy Trail Art Fair & Music Festival on Facebook or call 317-462-2877.
Morristown Derby Days
MORRISTOWN – Just south of the county line in Shelby County lies Morristown, home of Morristown Derby Days.
Derby Days celebrates its 70th anniversary with a jam-packed schedule of events starting on July 28 with a two-day fish fry sponsored by the Lions Club. Food figures mightily at Derby Days with the American Legion Auxiliary selling baked goods and ice cream sundaes, food and drinks at the Chamber of Commerce tent and Big Poppa’s BBQ Pit offering items from the grill for lunch and dinner.
On Saturday, the Sugar Shack trailer joins in the mix with coffee and iced coffee and fresh donuts starting at 8 a.m. for the early risers.
Derby Days draws its name from the featured events: down-hill go-cart races for adults and children. The go-cart races began 70 years ago as a Boy Scout event and has grown into a two-day festival. Within the past 10 years, it has become so competitive that an adult race was added to the festival’s annual agenda.
Amy Mullins is treasurer of Morristown Matters – the organizing body behind the event. Mullins appreciates the inclusion of the adult race.
“It makes it more of a community-involved event,” Mullins said.
The adult race is on July 28 at 5:30 p.m. The youth race is July 29 following the 11 a.m. parade.
Trophies are awarded to the winners of each race.
Morristown Derby Days activities include a track meet, a Derby Days Prince and Princess contest, an art show at the Morristown Christian Annex, a rummage sale, a car show and fireworks.
More information about events and registration can be found at morristownderbydays.com.
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The Pennsy Trail Art Fair and Music Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 29, on the Hancock County Courthouse Square, 9 E. Main St. Admission is free. For more information, call 317-462-2877.
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Morristown Derby Days will be held July 28 and 29. Events are hosted in various locations throughout the community. Visit morristownderbydays.com for more information.
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