Photo of the Week: Indiana Festival at Conner Prairie, Indiana

Salsa dancing, a cultural scavenger hunt, crafts, authentic Caribbean food and a yodeling contest—yes, it is possible to find all these things in one place. But only if you head to the Indiana Festival, taking place this weekend at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fishers, Indiana.

With food, dance, music and arts and crafts from around the world, this family event blends together Indiana’s diverse cultural heritage for two jam-packed days of fun in Hamilton County. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 5 and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 6.

This year’s special guest is Dr. David Baker, artistic and musical director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Dr. Baker will hold a jazz clinic and autograph session from 1:15 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 5. The audience can expect him to discuss and play recordings from some of the most notable jazz musicians of Indianapolis, including Wes Montgomery, J.J. Johnson, Freddie Hubbard and Slide Hampton. Baker himself has written more than 2,000 compositions, won the American Jazz Masters Award from the John F. Kennedy Center and been a Grammy Award and Pulitzer Prize nominee.

Tours in English and Spanish will be conducted of the Conner Prairie grounds during the festival, on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s plenty to see at the museum even without the festival events, and you might have trouble squeezing in all the sights in just two days! With five themed historic areas on 200 wooded acres, this Smithsonian Institution affiliate (the only one in Indiana) prides itself on its “look, touch, smell, taste and hear” museum philosophy. From April through October Conner Prairie offers visitors the chance to imagine life in pioneer Indiana, lend a hand with chores on a Victorian farm, play with animals in the Animal Encounter Barn and get a bird’s eye view of Indiana in the new hot air balloon-themed historic area, Balloon Voyage.

While you’re in the area, why not check out the rest of Hamilton County’s cultural and heritage travel opportunities? Just north of Indianapolis, the Eight Great Towns of Hamilton County offer plenty of small town-USA charm and worthwhile sights. Remnants from the Lafayette Trace, a route used by prehistoric settlers in the area, can be found on the land known as Strawtown Koteewi Park and the Taylor Center of Natural History. The Nickel Plate Arts Trail is a great way to learn about the impact of railroad construction on Hamilton County and find out about some notable local artisans along the way. The Indiana Transportation Museum and Forest Park are two other fascinating attractions you won’t want to miss.

Have you attended the Indiana Festival? Share your experience by leaving a comment below, or share your photos or a review of Hamilton County on Gozaic. Hamilton County is a Gozaic partner.

Photo courtesy of Conner Prairie Interactive History Park.