Summer Fest adds new events for this weekend’s celebration

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NEW PALESTINE — They’re bringing in new events, anticipating having over 70 vendors, and promise they’ll be plenty of fun, games, music and food for everyone at this year’s New Palestine Summer Fest 2019, event organizers said.

This year’s summer celebration is being presented and hosted by officials from the New Palestine Main Street and Museum.

This year’s annual summer event takes place Friday, with music shows, beer and wine on South Depot Street, while the main events are slated for all day Saturday on the grounds of New Palestine High School.

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“Everybody likes something different about these kind of events,” said organizer Mark Kennedy. “But for me, I kind of like just getting everybody out, into town.”

This year, organizers brought back the Dragon Dash, a 5K run and one mile walk, kicking off at New Palestine Elementary School at 7:30 a.m. Plus, organizers have two brand new events. The Dragon Derailleur Bicycle Ride, a 10- or 25-mile ride through Hancock and Shelby counties, will be leaving New Palestine High School at 9 a.m. Thunder Ride for a Wish Motorcycle Poker Ride starts with a breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m., served at Sugar Creek Township Fire Station 45, 3545 S 600 W, New Palestine. Kickstands go up at 11 a.m.

Something different this year, organizers have moved the event off of U.S. 52 and will host everything on the Southern Hancock school grounds there by the high school and by New Palestine Elementary School.

“I think it will just make everything seem a little cozier and things will be much closer together,” Kennedy said.

There will also be a play area for children, complete with inflatables. It will be enclosed, located near the music near the entrance of the high school where there will also be a picnic area so people can enjoy the food vendors.

After attracting between 80 and 90 cars last year, the popular Car Show is back. After the morning run and ride events, the festival itself opens at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon with the Car Show, Kid Zone, Food Trucks, Booth, Concessions, Beer and Wine Garden, Vendor and Craft Booths.

The event is put together each year by community volunteers who enjoy having a summer bash for the residents and near by communities, said Kim Taylor, event organizer.

“Year-after-year, we’ve worked hard to add new things to the event,” she said. “Whether it’s working on one section, or just adding one big thing, we try to make it special.”

The event has grown through the years and attracted an estimated 3,500 people throughout the day last year, Taylor said and they’re hoping even more show up to enjoy the fun this year.

“With U.S. 52 not being closed this year, we might see even more people who happen to be driving through town who’ll stop to see what’s going on,” Taylor said.

This year’s live music will be preformed by local, more regional musicians, organizers said. They’re hoping that will help attract more people. Saturday evening shows includes Christine Kindred, Tom Duke and Amy Murnane, Project 19, and they’ll wrap things up with Steamship featuring Robert Reynolds, co-founding member of The Mavericks.

The fireworks show closes out Summer Fest 2019 at 10 p.m.

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NEW PALESTINE SUMMER FEST 2019

When: Friday and Saturday June 21 and 22. 

Where: Friday evening’s musical events are on S. Depot Street in New Palestine and start at 5:30 p.m. Saturday’s day long events are at New Palestine High School and the surrounding school property, rain or shine.

Time: After morning walk, run and riding events, the festival starts at 1 p.m. Saturday. Musical acts start at 5:30 p.m.

Events: Musical shows both Friday and Saturday nights. Dragon Dash, Dragon Derailleur Bicycle Ride, Thunder Ride for a Wish. Bounce house and play area for children, food, beverages and fire works at 10 p.m. 

For exact times please visit: newpalsummerfest.com

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