Fishers Freedom Festival balloons along with city’s population

FISHERS, Ind (WISH) – As Fishers population continues to grow, so does one of its biggest events.

The sizzle on the grill is a friendly reminder summer is here, and so are the tents that fill Fisher’s Holland Park.

For the 28th year, the Fishers Freedom Festival will give residents an opportunity to beat the heat.

“Love the sense of community it (the festival) provides,” Fishers resident Karin Ellis said. “Our favorite part is going to like the kid’s zone, and let them play and interact.”

“Doing the activities,” Fishers resident Don Gibson said. “Eating at all the food trucks. We really appreciate its growth.”

And grown it has. Nearly 30 years ago, the event was just one day.

The city’s population was only 7,000. Fast forward to 2016 and more than 80,000 live in Fishers.

And the small picnic has ballooned into a four-day festival.

“Now we have 130 crafters,” Fishers Freedom Festival executive director Jennifer Kehl said. “We have over 80 people in our business tent; 30 people in our game tent. We have about 28 food vendors.”

The festival is also changing in the ways the community can give back. Normally, people can bring food and backpacks through the weekend. But this year, organizers will collect goods through July 1 at Municipal Park.

Organizers expect upwards of 50,000 people over the four-day event. Even if you don’t plan to go, it could impact your weekend plans.

The Sunday evening parade will cause road closures around 116th Street. It can’t happen though until crews have signs and blockades in place.

“We’ve still got just the little things, like get our banners hung, get all the tents ready, tables and chairs set up, pretty much everything else is ready to go,” Kehl said.

Once it is ready to go, neighbors are excited to check out an event that’s grown along with the area.

“The more, the better,” Gibson said. “It’s summer time. Our kids are stir crazy at our house. The more time they can get out, honestly the better.”

The festival is only going to continue to change. Next year, it’ll be moved to Municipal Park. If you want to learn more about the festival, click here.