Everyone loves a small-town festival. Steeped in traditions, entertainment, charity and good food, the Quaker Day Festival delivers on all fronts.
Organizers have even expanded this year's event and added some exciting new attractions, including live music, tethered balloon rides and even a drone show.
Here's everything you need to know about this now three-day festival in Plainfield, Indiana.
1. Quaker Day Parade
One of its most popular traditions, the Quaker Day Parade, returns at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. A true crowd-pleaser, it has become a Plainfield staple with more than 70 floats going through downtown, each created by local groups, businesses and nonprofits.
This year's theme, Hometown Heroes: Salute to Serve, will honor 250 years of the U.S. Army and all those who have fought for our freedom.
2. Craft & Food Vendors
This festival began as a humble “Church Mouse Sale” in 1970 at Plainfield Friends Meeting Church and has grown into a rich tradition of crafts, food, and other homemade goods.
Today, the festival includes a craft fair that begins after the parade on Saturday with more than 100 vendor booths, delicious pork chops and lamb burgers in the church, and food trucks from around central Indiana, continuing its legacy of supporting local missions and community gatherings.
3. Entertainment & New Additions
Quaker Day isn’t just about the parade as organizers have expanded this event into a weekend full of activities and surprises, including:
- Live Music on Main hosted by Main Street Plainfield - Free live music beginning at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 18 on the lawn of the Plainfield Friends Church.
- Back Your Badge Kids Race - Free. Race begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, beginning at Plainfield Town Hall.
- Plainfield Sky Dance Tethered Balloon Rides, Concert & Drone Show - This first-ever event includes tethered balloon rides starting at 6:30 p.m., a concert featuring Without U2, a U2 tribute band at 7 p.m. and the drone show at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Guilford Township Hummel Park Performing Arts Center. Everything is free.
- Chrome Horses: The Bob Dylan Tribute at Hendricks Live! - 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20.
- Back Your Badge Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K Walk/Run - 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, beginning at the Richard A. Carlucci Recreation Center. A race victory party with food, drinks and live music will follow.
4. Car Show
The Quaker Day Car Show brings sleek, colorful classics that vintage vehicle fans will love. With every $20 entry, you support local charities like HandiCapable Camp.
It’s a great way to admire shining chrome and retro curves while giving back to the Plainfield and Hendricks County communities.
