Alvin M. Keeling 
INDIANAPOLIS — The city is investing $1 million to make downtown Indy more livable. This money will help partners like The Indianapolis Cultural Trail Inc. and Downtown Indy Inc. afford regular activities.
By Mayor Joe The Resilience of Downtown Hogsett plan, the money can be used to pay local artists and musicians. It will also help Downtown Indy Inc. provide entertainment every day of the week during lunch hours.
“Ping-pong, giant Jenga, art projects, creative conversations, other types of entertainment during this lunch hour,” said Bob Schultz, interim president of Downtown Indy Inc..
Here is a list of activities planned downtown this summer:
Pride Fest, Christ Church Cathedral Strawberry Festival June 9, Monumental Yoga June 21, Pattern Magazine Fashion Show June 25, Indiana Dairy Association Ice Cream Social July 14, and the Indy Chicken & Beer festival on August 6th.
Human-scale activities, as well as games, will include artistic creation. New picnic tables will be added.
Activities will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday.
“People like to be together, especially coming out of the pandemic, people want to find things to do downtown,” said Scarlett Andrews, director of the city’s metropolitan development department. “They need spaces to do that that are safe, where regular things happen.”
The Indianapolis Culture Trail runs Georgia Street, the Canal, and Lugar Plaza. The Cultural Trail invites community Mind Melt Mondays which runs from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on the Canal, Sunrise Yoga on the Canal on Wednesday mornings and Live at the Orange Bridge on Friday evenings.
“It’s great mindful meditation, there’s music, there’s singing, there’s birds chirping,” said Kären Haley, executive director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. “Just a great way for you to experience our city in a new way, free and accessible to everyone.”
The city has also invested in more canal seats and improved lighting along the canal.
