Rocky Ripple Festival
11:00 am - 6:00 pm EDT
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Hohlt Park @ 840 W 53rd St, Indianapolis
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The Rocky Ripple Festival is held each year in our unique Indianapolis neighborhood, just across the Central Canal from Butler University. An eclectic set of bands play throughout the day. Over 80 artists bring their unique items for sale. Beer and wine are provided by the Broad Ripple Brewpub. A variety of food offerings are available from local vendors. Children activities are held around the playground.
All at a family friendly admission price - Free!
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Thank You To Our Sponsors
Event sponsorship and business booths are a great way to connect with thousands of area residents. Connect with us to discuss opportunities.
Music Stage
Food Vendors
Food Vendors
More to come!
Food Vendors
Food Vendors
Food Vendors
Interested in being a food vendor for our event? Connect with us.
Artists
Food Vendors
Artists
Hosing over 80 artisans from the central Indiana region. Apply here.
Volunteer
Volunteers are the backbone of our festival, helping us organize the event ahead of time, assisting with setup and day-of activities, as well as providing other specialized services. Contact our volunteer coordinator for more information about how you can help us bring to life this special event.
Sponsorships & Business Booths
Event sponsorship and business booths are a great way to connect with thousands of area residents. Connect with us to discuss opportunities.
Artists
The Rocky Ripple Festival hosts over 80 artisans from the central Indiana region. Apply here.
Food & Beverages
Each year we provide a variety of food and beverage options for our attendees. If you are interested in being a food vendor for our event, connect with us.
Live Music
We host an eclectic mix of live music from local bands throughout the event from our main stage. Connect with us to learn more about performing at our event.
FAQ
- Well-behaved dogs on-leash are welcome. We try to have water bowls filled at the park entrance.
- Artists and food vendors typically accept cash or card. The RRCA Booth has affordable snacks, drinks, and t-shirts, but may only accept cash. There is no ATM available at our event.
- Parking is free on neighborhood streets. 53rd St fills up most quickly. Find more spaces on 52nd St and on side streets or continue north to 54th St once in the neighborhood. You're never more than a few blocks from the park. Please respect residents who block their frontage and avoid parking in residents' yards unless directed to by a volunteer. Do not block traffic so that emergency vehicles may enter and exit.
- Free bike parking will be provided by Pedal & Park, right by the park entrance on 53rd St. This section of 53rd St, between Crown and Annette, will only be open to foot and bike traffic. Our neighborhood is right next to the Canal Tow Path.
- Please, no smoking or vaping in Hohlt Park during the event. You may smoke just outside the park along 53rd, Annette, or Crown Street.
- Our community garden is open to explore. Please do not remove plants or vegetables from members' plots.
Festival History
The Rocky Ripple festival began in 1998 when the town officially obtained the land now known as Hohlt Park. The Community Association decided to celebrate, and with many resident-musicians in Rocky Ripple, a festival of music with local talent was held.
The event was in August, during a near-record heat wave. Planning was impromptu. Requests for bands by word of mouth. Handy-types built a small stage. No one had sound equipment, but someone knew someone in Henry Lee Summers’ band. Not only did Henry end up letting Rocky Ripplers use his equipment, he decided to participate and sang some of his hits. The excellent music brought out neighbors from near and far, and the first Rocky Ripple Festival was a success!
Hohlt Park was dedicated in 1999. Though another festival was not held at that time, Rocky Ripple residents began to envision an annual celebration. They decided music was fundamental, but there were many other artists in the community. Local artist Megan Wright shared her experience with juried arts festivals, and artist Vandra Linder created a unique logo for the festival that was used for many years.
The second festival, in 2000, featured music and local artists displaying their wares. Community Association volunteers staffed a small food booth. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Over the years, the number of participating artists, food vendors, and musical acts have increased - along with the reputation of the festival. Today, our event offers kids’ entertainment, prize drawings, buskers, and more.
The festival has also become the major annual fundraiser for the Community Association and the Rocky Ripple Parks Endowment, established to help maintain parks in the community.