Noblesville Events: First Fridays, Street Dance, and More

Noblesville, Indiana is a growing, prosperous suburb of Indiana state capital Indianapolis. The town has one of the most robust and thriving economies in the Hoosier State, even in the United States. In our current state of economic downturn, a town like Noblesville is a bright light in an otherwise dreary business climate. Because of this, residents of Noblesville are ready to celebrate; luckily, the town’s government doesn’t fail to disappoint. Throughout the year, residents and visitors alike are charmed by the sheer amount of Noblesville events going on, events that span the whole gamut of Noblesville attractions.

Probably the most delicious Noblesville event is the Noblesville Farmers Market, one of the longest standing farmers markets in the country. Running every Saturday from May to October, the Noblesville Famers Market has been in operation since 1991. Vendors come from the countryside all around the town, bearing soaps, fruits, vegetables, hand-made crafts, flowers, honey, and other hand made goods. The freshly brewed on-site coffee is a local favorite; Noblesville residents crowd around the carafe, sharing the latest Noblesville news and weather. The Noblesville Farmers Market is a great excuse to get out and do some Noblesville shopping while getting to know the neighbors just a little bit better.

One of the biggest Noblesville events is an all-purpose, fun-filled day called Noblesville Street Dance. Similar to other street festivals like Carmel, Indiana‘s Rock the District and Lafayette, Indiana‘s Mosey Down Main Street, Noblesville Street Dance is a catch-all Indianapolis festival for Noblesville businesses, Noblesville children, and everybody else in the Indy satellite. A huge Noblesville music festival, downtown Noblesville becomes a giant sound stage; two live music stages grace either end of the street, featuring lots of cool Indianapolis music. Noblesville restaurants also turn out in great force for the Taste of Noblesville, part of this Noblesville event; last year over 12,000 people packed the Noblesville Courthouse Square to sample the delicious vittles. Noblesville Street Dance also includes an antique tractor show, a special Kids’ Zone, an Ice Cream Eating Contest, and a classic car show.
For Noblesville music enthusiasts who didn’t get enough live music during the Noblesville Street Dance, there’s another Noblesville event specifically geared to the most popular type of music in Indianapolis: jazz. Jazz Squared is a summer concert series that takes place in the Noblesville Courthouse Square from June to September. Popular Indianapolis bands often make an appearance at this sizzling concert series; 2009 performers included Bill Lancton, Cathy Morris, Rob Dixon, and Cherie Mannino. Jazz Squared is a good excuse to take a break from Indianapolis music venues like the Chatterbox Jazz Club, the Slippery Noodle Inn, and the Jazz Kitchen to take in some jazz in the open air.
Though the Noblesville events mentioned above certainly draw crowds from all over Central Indiana, the Noblesville event with the largest scope is certainly First Fridays. First Fridays take place, you guessed it, on the first Friday of every month, starting in May and ending in December. Each First Friday is geared toward a specific holiday, event, or Noblesville attraction.

In 2009, First Fridays included Discover Downtown Noblesville, a celebration of Noblesville history with a scavenger hunt, historic tours, and kids games from Conner Prairie in Fishers, Indiana; the “4th on the 3rd” event, Noblesville’s Fourth of July parade and fireworks display; Float to the Finish, a rubber duck raise to support Noblesville Main Street that takes place on the White River; and the Fall Festival, complete with hay rides, ghost tours, and pumpkin painting. First Fridays in this satellite community are certainly among the best Noblesville things to do.

All in all, Noblesville events are not to be missed. These can certainly stand toe to toe with the best Indianapolis events, more so than many other small Indiana cities around it. From the live jazz at Jazz Squared and the classic car show at the Noblesville Street Dance to the myriad opportunities available during First Fridays, Noblesville events have something for everyone.

-Bryan Johnson