Why You Should Attend Quaker Days in Plainfield Indiana
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There’s something about a good small-town festival that just feels like fall in Indiana. You’ve got a parade down Main Street, food, local vendors, classic cars, live music and plenty of people you know.
That’s been the appeal of Quaker Days in Plainfield for generations, since it was a small church sale more than 50 years ago.
Quaker Days returns September 17-20, 2026, with four days of events around Plainfield. And with America celebrating its 250th birthday this year, there will be a little extra red, white and blue mixed into the weekend.
Here's everything you need to know to enjoy this Plainfield, Indiana, tradition.
Quaker Day Parade & Festival
The unofficial kickoff to the Quaker Day Festival happens at 10 a.m. Saturday, when everyone turns their attention to Main Street for the annual Quaker Day Parade. Local businesses, organizations and community groups will make their way through downtown as families line the street to watch.
After the parade, the Quaker Day Festival moves to the lawn at Plainfield Friends Church, with local vendors, handmade goods, food and plenty to browse. Grab something to eat, wander through the booths and say hello to all the friendly faces you will meet along the way.
Good Food, Local Finds & Classic Cars
Come hungry because there will be plenty of food trucks. Before or after lunch, take a stroll through all the craft and community vendors for a chance to support local makers, find something you probably won’t see at a big-box store and enjoy a Saturday downtown.
Car lovers will want to make their way over to the annual Quaker Day Car Show supporting HandiCapable Camp. You’ll find everything from old-school cruisers to beautifully restored classics parked under the trees.
Free Movies & Live Music
You don’t have to wait until Saturday to get Quaker Days started. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and head to the Plainfield Friends Church lawn on Thursday for a free double feature. How to Train Your Dragon starts at 6 p.m., followed by Footloose at 8 p.m. Popcorn, ice cream and drinks will be available
Come back Friday night for free live music. The Purdy Trio gets things started at 6 p.m. with rock and alternative favorites from the ’80s and ’90s. Then The American West Band takes over at 7:30 p.m. with what they describe as “Real. Country. Music.”
Plenty For The Kids
Quaker Days has plenty to keep younger family members busy. Saturday morning starts with the Electric Plus Back Your Badge Kids Fun Run at 9 a.m. on Main Street. Kids ages 11 and younger can take part in either a half-mile or 1-mile run before the Quaker Day Parade gets underway.
Then, after spending the day downtown, you can head to the Al & Jan Barker Sports Complex for some more live music, food trucks and the Plainfield Sky Dance drone show beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Back Your Badge Marathon
The fourth annual Back Your Badge Marathon returns Sunday morning with a 5K, half marathon and full marathon that take runners and walkers through Plainfield. The event supports the men and women who serve the community in police, fire and 9-1-1 dispatch, and you don’t have to run 26.2 miles to be part of it.
Come out along the course, cheer on the runners or head toward the finish line to help welcome them home. A Victory Party follows the races and puts a fitting cap on four days of Quaker Days activities with more food trucks, live music and activities for kids.
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
There’s also something special coming to Plainfield for this year’s Quaker Days weekend. The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be on display at Hummel Park’s Charleston Pavilion from Friday, Sept. 18 through Monday, Sept. 21.
The memorial gives visitors a place to remember the men and women who served during the Vietnam War. With Quaker Days taking place during America’s 250th anniversary year, it will add a meaningful addition to the weekend.
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