Though it was originally inspired by the written word, the Riley Festival has long dedicated itself to showcasing art in many forms, from drawing to photography to needlework. Beginning when the festival opens on Thursday, the artwork of hundreds of Hancock County residents will be on display in downtown Greenfield.
The Home Arts and Quilt Show, as well as the photography exhibit, will take place at the Hancock County Courthouse Annex, 111 American Legion Place. The fine arts show will take place at the Creative Arts Center at 2 W. Main Street. All exhibits are open from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
Home Arts and Quilt Show
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The festival’s annual home arts exhibit features a broad range of categories: participants enter everything from baked goods and preserves to crafts like needlecraft, handmade jewelry and scrapbooks. Categories include junior, for those 17 and under; and senior, for adults.
The exhibit is sponsored by Hancock County Extension Homemakers. Homemakers co-director Rosalie Hunt said the show is an opportunity for county residents to show off projects that may otherwise go unrecognized.
“This is the only chance a lot of people have to enter their talents, what they do,” Hunt said. “It shows off the talents of people that live in our area.”
Visitors to the exhibit can help with judging by voting for the “Best of Show” item, which can come from any category. They will also be able to bid on a quilt which will be auctioned off to raise money to fund scholarships for Hancock County students.
The exhibit also includes antiques in a variety of categories each year. This year’s display will include Scout uniforms, bells, Jim Beam commemorative bottles and James Whitcomb Riley memorabilia dating back at least 25 years, as well as candy dishes, kitchen utensils, clocks and hymnals at least 50 years old.
Photography exhibit
The photography exhibit has three age categories: children (12 and under), intermediate (13-17) and adults. Photo entries cover nine different subject matter categories, including people, animals and landscapes.
This year, in honor of the festival’s 50th event, the contest will also include a “Riley Connection” category. Photographs can showcase anything with a connection to James Whitcomb Riley’s life or poetry.
The festival’s photography chair, Sue Berard, said she expects to receive approximately 300 entries from about 75 photographers. She said the quality of the photographs — about 70 percent of which are now taken on cellphones — is always high.
“We’ve always had a strong response. It’s a wonderful exhibit. The photography is amazing,” Berard said.
Fine Arts exhibit
The Fines Arts exhibit will include entries from a variety of illustrative art forms, including watercolor, acrylic and ink.
Riley Festival board member Anita Turner said she is expecting to receive 300-400 entries in the contest. Categories include professional, advanced adult, beginning adult, ages 15-18, ages 10-14 and ages 6-9.
Turner said the art on display is mostly created by Hancock County residents who are amateur artists, with some entries from outside the county.
“We have a great variety of talent in Greenfield and Hancock County that people don’t even recognize,” Turner said.
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Headed to the Riley Festival? With hundreds of activities and things to see — not to mention things to eat — we’ve compiled a quick-study guide for five special attractions that will enrich your visit to the festival:
Riley Boyhood Home tours
The James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home in downtown Greenfield will be open for free tours during the festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can enjoy a trip back to the mid-1800s and view many of Riley’s original works. Visitors can Pick up free tickets at the Riley Festival information booth near the center of the festival at State and Main streets.
A pair of parades
The traditional children’s Parade of Flowers begins at 12:30 p.m. Friday when hundreds of schoolchildren will give flowers to the Riley Festival queen and her court to be placed at the base of the statue of James Whitcomb Riley in front of the Hancock County Courthouse. The larger Riley Festival Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday at Greenfield-Central High School and will make its way through the festival area.
Celebrate Riley’s birthday
The Hoosier Poet’s birthday will be commemorated Sunday at 1 p.m. in the garden of the Riley Boyhood Home. The celebration will feature the Greenfield Community Choir, refreshments and Riley re-enactor Jeff Kuehl performing “The Old Swimmin’ Hole.” The poem is the theme for this year’s festival.
Mayor’s Breakfast
Featuring Mayor Chuck Fewell and guest speaker Steve Long, CEO of Hancock Health, the Mayor’s Breakfast will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday. It will take place at Trinity Park United Methodist Church, and the cost of admission is $15.
Poetry events
As a celebration of Indiana’s most famous poet, the Riley Festival has always included an element of poetic performance. On Friday, the Hancock County Arts Council will have a poets’ open-microphone reading from 5-7 p.m. at 20 N. State St., in the heart of the festival area. The Poets at the Podium competition will be held from 4-5:30 p.m. on Saturday at Ricks Centre and from 1-2 p.m. Sunday at the Arts Council’s gallery, 20 N. State St. Participants can read either published work or their original compositions, and prizes will be awarded.
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What: Riley Festival home arts, fine arts and photography exhibits
Where: Hancock County Courthouse Annex, 111 American Legion Place (home arts and photography; and the Creative Arts Center (fine arts)
When: Thursday through Sunday
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Read about five can’t-miss events that will enrich your experience at the Riley Festival. Page A6
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