INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Excitement is building as the Naptown DJ Fest returns for its second year, set to take place on Saturday at Watkins Park.

The festival’s origins trace back to a significant moment last year when the mayor’s office issued a proclamation recognizing the city’s distinctive blend-mixing sound, a hallmark of its deep connection to hip-hop. DJ Long Green, one of the event’s organizers, emphasized the importance of this recognition during an appearance on Daybreak Friday morning.

“Our connection to hip-hop is deeply rooted in that blend-mixing sound,” Green said. “Once we got the proclamation, we knew it would be a part of Indianapolis history forever, so we had to celebrate. We have a beautiful community and a great culture that’s worth celebrating.”

This year’s festival will be even bigger than last year’s inaugural event. Expanding from two to three performance areas, the event will feature DJs spinning simultaneously from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with each set lasting 20 minutes. The lineup will showcase a wide range of Indianapolis talent, with genres ranging from hip-hop and R&B to country, house music, and pop.

“People can look forward to a variety of things,” said Brittany Jones, one of the event’s coordinators. “We have food vendors, live performances, and DJs, of course. There will be fun for the whole family, including an outdoor art gallery we’re partnering with the original Gary G 42 for. So, come out and enjoy!”

Nicci Riddick, another key planner and coordinator, has worked to ensure everything is in place to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

“I’ve handled all the vendors and food trucks and made sure everything is prepared,” Riddick said. “I’ve also been in touch with the DJs to ensure the event is cohesive and a wonderful experience for everyone who attends.”

While Indianapolis hosts several music festivals, Riddick says the rich blend of music and culture makes the Naptown DJ Fest stand out.

“Mixing genres and music is at the heart of our culture,” Green said. “There will be a full array of genres represented, reflecting what Indianapolis does best. We’ve been doing this for more than 40 years.”

For more information on Naptown Music Fest, click here.