Huntington at 175 years will be the theme of Heritage Days 2023, Wednesday, June 14 through Sunday, June 18.
The official sponsor is Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group, and the colors: navy blue, gold, red.
Known as the “demisemiseptcentennial,” Huntington’s incorporation as a town took place February 16, 1848, 175 years ago, and Huntington received city status September 17, 1873, 150 years ago.
The rich history of our community will be celebrated through the many activities planned for Heritage Days.
For information or registration forms see huntington-chamber.com/blog/category/heritage-days/.
• The Little Miss Heritage Days and Junior Miss Heritage Days Pageant will take place at Crestview Middle School on Wednesday, June 14 at 7 p.m.
Girls, ages five to 12, will compete for the titles. Tickets are available for $5 (children 3 and under free) from contestants or at the door the evening of the pageant.
• Poor Jack Amusements Company will be the midway carnival for Heritage Days 2023.
It will be located on Cherry and the adjacent streets from June 14 through June 18.
The carnival will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14 and Thursday, June 15; Friday, June 16, 4 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, June 17, Noon to 11 p.m. with the final day being Sunday, June 18 from 12 Noon to 5 p.m.
Tickets are $1.50 each or 20 for $25.
For those purchasing a wristband for unlimited riding the cost for Friday is $25; Saturday, the cost is $25, for all day; and for Sunday, June 18, from 12 Noon to 5 p.m., the cost is $17.
• Thursday, June 15 brings the Heritage Days 54th Annual Chief of the Flint Springs Tribe Breakfast at 8 a.m.
It is sponsored by the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce.
This yearly activity names the new Chief of the Flint Springs Tribe.
Reservations for the $25 per person event are required by June 8 with the Chamber of Commerce, 356-5300, or agarcia@huntington-chamber.com.
• The Huntington Rotary Club Strawberry Feed will take place Thursday, June 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Huntington County Fair Grounds, 631 E. Taylor Street, Beacon Credit Union Heritage Hall (Note the location change).
Strawberries, shortcake, ice cream with whipped cream will be served and tickets are available at local banks, from Rotary members or at the door.
The “all you can eat” price is $6, with kids five and under eating for free.
• The Huntington County Historical Museum, 315 Court Street, will be the site for the Peacemakers Quilt Club show on Friday, June 16, Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is free.
• The Heritage Days Car, Truck, Tractor and Motorcycle Show in downtown Huntington, sponsored by MetroNet, will be held Friday evening, June 16 from 5 to 9 p.m.
The show is open to all makes and models, registration takes place at the intersection of Jefferson and Washington Streets from 3 to 6:30 p.m. and the vehicle entry fee is $10.
• The annual Biscuit, Sausage and Gravy Breakfast will take place at the Moose Lodge, 390 Frontage Road on Saturday morning.
It is sponsored by the Women of the Moose Lodge, and includes sausage gravy with biscuits, potatoes, and coffee for purchase.
Milk or juice are extra. Open to the public.
• The Parkview Boys & Girls Club of Huntington County will hold a Running Towards Great Futures 5K on Saturday, June 17 at 9:30 a.m. prior to the Heritage Days Parade at 10 a.m.
The event is sponsored by Parkview Huntington (Gold) and Angela Becker Orthodontics (Silver). The route for the race begins at Huntington University and continues for a 1.5-hour completion either walking or running.
Personal times will be available via email and on the registration website. Participants can sign up at runsignup.com/runningtowardsgreatfutures5krun.
For questions contact Andrea Rall at andrea@bgchuntington.com.
• The 59 Annual Heritage Days 2023 parade will be held Saturday, June 17 at 10 a.m.
The parade proceeds from Huntington North High School, follows MacGahan Street to Jefferson Street, proceeds through the middle of downtown Huntington, completes at State Street turning right.
Vendors are invited to sell homemade crafts, baked goods, or homegrown produce on the lawn of Huntington North High School, in a designated area, on Saturday, June 17.
Set up will begin at 12 noon and Huntington County residents will have the first opportunity for booth space.
A few food trucks are also welcome. Forms and a vendor fee of $25 will need to be arranged by June 1. Contact Pat Johnson, 224-3557 for more information.
Vendors will be exhibiting their items during the Huntington County Disaster Team Car and Truck Show, 3 to 7 p.m.; The Heritage Days Kids Zone, 5 to 8 p.m., Beacon Credit Union Pulling for Riley – Kiddie Tractor Pull, 5 p.m. and the Heritage Days Hot Air Balloon Festival, 5 to 10 p.m.; all taking place at the high school during these times.
• Heritage Days 2023 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will be held Saturday, June 17 at Crestview Middle School.
It will be a double elimination tournament comprised of teams in three divisions: middle school, high school and adults.
The cost is $40 per team with a grand prize for the adult division of $250.
Signups require team division, players’ names (3 or 4) and a primary contact.
Registration ends June 11.
Contact Alexis.Dalton@huntington.in.us. Proceeds from the tournament will go towards upkeep and revitalization of local parks’ basketball courts.
Sponsors are also needed at varying levels, contact brantyoung65@gmail.com for information.
• The Risen Savior Church will celebrate Juneteenth from 12 Noon to 3 p.m. at 404 Grayston Avenue.
Celebrate freedom with free food, games for kids and the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.
• The Moose will hold the third annual Moose Cornhole Tournament for Cancer at the Moose Lodge 837, 390 Frontage Road at 4 p.m. Register at the event with a fee of $20 per team. Contact Mark at 224-7817.
• The Heritage Days Kids Zone is Saturday, June 17, 5 to 8 p.m. at Huntington North High School. The Kids Zone will include many free fun activities including games by the Huntington City Township Public Library, bounce houses, Archery Tag and pony rides, sponsored by Novae. Other sponsors include Christian Life
Tabernacle and Juergens Do-It Center.
• The Beacon Credit Union Pulling for Riley - Kiddie Tractor Pull will begin at 5 p.m., registration at 4:30 p.m. Truitt Law Offices will give away 200 bicycle helmets to the first 100 children who visit their booth between 5 and 8 p.m. A drawing for a new bicycle will also take place.
• The Indianapolis Colts’ ‘Colts in Motion’ museum on wheels will be a part of the Heritage Days celebration on Saturday, June 17 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Kids and their parents can visit the museum and participate in the activities including photos at Huntington North High School as part of the Kids Zone. This event is free and sponsored by Pro Fed.
• The Heritage Days Hot Air Balloon Festival will be Saturday, June 17 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Huntington North High School. DJ Dick Smart of Smart Productions will provide musical selections and announce the events.
• The Balloon Glow will take place Saturday evening at dark. Spectators are encouraged to bring their children and cameras for a spectacular show of giant glowing aerostats.
Food vendors will be on site. Joy Pleaser Clowns will make balloon designs. A Heritage Days • “Teddy Bear Hunt” will be held at the Izaak Walton League, 470 Hauenstein Road, on Sunday, June 18 from 1 to 5 p.m.
The event is for families and their children. Stuffed bears will be hidden throughout the club’s grounds. Families purchase a “hunting license” for each child “hunting bear” for $5.
Lunch including a hot dog, chips, gummy bears and a drink are part of the cost. Each child can take the bear home that they find on the “Teddy Bear Hunt.”
The afternoon will also include the DNR officer, Smokey the Bear, face painting, temporary tattoos, coloring pages, a bounce house, archery and more.
• The Izaak Walton League, 470 Hauenstein Road, will host S’mores & Chores on Sunday, June 18 from 6 to 8 p.m.
There is no charge, and families are invited to perform a basic task together followed by the enjoyment of a reward including s’mores in the beautiful Fire Garden at the Izaak Walton.
The task will be a search and rescue mission to find any teddy bears left behind during the annual Teddy Bear Hunt in the afternoon.
JeFFFest, sponsored by the LaFontaine Arts Council, will take place Sunday, June 18 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
It is free to attend and will be located near the Huntington Arts & Entrepreneurial Center (HAEC), 32 E. Franklin Street.
The Todd Harrold Trio will provide the musical entertainment.
Food tickets will be sold in $1 increments to be used for purchasing food items from a local food fair.
A small canvas silent auction will be held at the Arts Included Gallery at the HAEC staring at 5:30.
Purchase a blank canvas for $5 beginning May 4 at the HAEC or Amethyst Lotus, 35 W. Market Street, during normal business hours. Create and return the completed artwork to either location by June 16.
• Other events are in the planning stages and will be announced as they are finalized. For information contact the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce at 356-5300 or visit huntington- chamber.com/blog/category/heritage-days/.
