Zionsville Fall Fest 2026 – Out Of This World

What to expect at Fall Festival Page Z4

Carpenters to serve as parade grand marshals Page Z6

VIP Carnival kicks off festival Sept. 11 Page Z8

Zionsville Fall Festival September 11 - 13, 2026

Lions Club to announce capital campaign Page Z10

ZCS middle school bands a highlight of festival Page Z11

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OUT OF THIS WORLD

The Zionsville Lions Club’s Fall Festival is Sept. 11-13.

It is expected to draw over 15,000 visitors over the weekend.

(Photo courtesy of Zionsville Lions Club)

73rd Fall Festival set for Sept. 11-13

By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com The Zionsville Lions Club’s biggest event of the year, and what is often rated as the best event in town, returns Sept. 11-13 at Lions Park.

This year’s Fall Festival has an “Out of this World” theme focusing on outer space. Attendees can expect a well-attended parade, plenty of family-friendly activities throughout the weekend, the 21-years-and-older Lions Lounge and a car show.

The Fall Festival kicks off the evening of Sept. 11 with the VIP Carnival for children with special needs and their families. The inclusive event is meant to give children with disabilities a carnival experience.

“It’s at their pace,” Fall Festival Chairman Tim Reinhart said.

The carnival is from 6 to 11 p.m. and draws families from across Indiana. A free dinner is provided.

Register at zionsvillelions.com/ fall-festival-vip-carnival.

Sept. 12 will be the biggest day of the festival. Reinhart said more than 10,000 people are expected to attend on the Saturday of Fall Festival. The day starts with the parade at 10 a.m.

The parade heads down Mulberry Street to Ash Street then Main Street.

There will be about 80 entries in the parade.

“Half the community is in the parade and the other half is watching,” Reinhart said. “It really does feel that way.”

Headlining the parade are Grand Marshals Jim and Nancy Carpenter.

The local philanthropists donated the

land that became Carpenter Nature Preserve, which opened earlier this year.

New this year is the 9/11 Field of Honor, marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the U.S. The Lions Club, through a Discover Boone County grant, placed 2,997 flags representing each person who died from the attacks.

Flags have special ribbons around them recognizing first responders who died.

Carnival rides by Poor Jack’s Carnival will be from noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 12 and noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 13. Wristband day — $25 for unlimited rides — is Sept.

13.

The Zionsville Fire Department will have a demonstration at 3 p.m. Sept.

12 featuring firefighter survival techniques. There also will be a bite demonstration from 4 to 4:45 p.m. presented by the Zionsville Police Department with K-9s Mika and Ski. Mayor John Stehr said he’s participating in the demonstration.

Lions Lounge opens at 5 p.m. Sept.

12 with a trivia contest. The first 20 participants get free entry into the lounge.

The beer garden will have a live band — the Impalas, which plays music from the 1970s through the 90s — and beer on tap and wine. The Impalas will perform from 7 to 11 p.m.

The Scoop, Greek’s Pizzaria, Georgia’s Kitchen, Red Barn Elephant Ears and Norvell’s BBQ highlight this year’s food options.

The American Dream Car show will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 13.

Fall Festival is free to attend; however, it costs $8 to park at Lions Park.

For a full list of events, visit zionsvillelions.com/fallfestival.

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CONSERVATION COMMITMENT Carpenters to serve as grand marshals for Fall Festival parade

By Kaitlin Fallowfield news@youarecurrent.com Nancy and Jim Carpenter will serve as the grand marshals for the Zionsville Lions Club’s Fall Festival Parade Sept. 12, thanks to their tireless work in conservation.

The service club nominated the couple after their dedication to restoring nature resulted in the Carpenter Nature Preserve, a 215-acre site that was once home to the Wolf Run Golf Club. Zionsville Lions Club member Todd Settle said he nominated the Carpenters because their shared values for the public good align with the club’s, and the nature preserve is a perfect example.

“Their service of the community is very out front,” he said. “We’re tickled to have them as marshals of the parade.”

Settle called the Carpenters “stalwarts of the Zionsville community for many years.”

Jim and Nancy Carpenter, founders of the Wild Birds Unlimited business, have lived in Zionsville since 1987. The couple raised their two daughters and have remained in the community, enjoying Boone County’s natural wildlife through birdwatching and hiking with their dog, Joy. Both biologists, they said their love for nature was instilled in them by their grandparents.

When the Wolf Run Golf Club property came up for sale, there was a proposal to turn the acreage along Eagle Creek into a mixed-use development with 360 single-family homes.

Nancy Carpenter said they couldn’t let that happen. They toured the property with then-Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron, who shared their vision for a public park.

“Jim and I got very excited about it and said, ‘OK, we’ll buy it before developers buy it,’” Nancy Carpenter said.

The couple purchased the property, spending $5.5 million of their own money to preserve it.

“We kept trails mowed throughout the property. We chainsawed trees that fell on the trails. We put up bluebird boxes. We just tried to encourage nature, with pollinator meadows and things like that,” Nancy Carpenter said.

“Well, you know, Mother Nature took her course, and it just grew and grew.

Trees started growing, and you could really see how this could be a beautiful nature park.”

The couple sold the property in 2023 to Zionsville for $4.52 million, on the condition the land remain a public park in perpetuity. The town became the recipient of the largest single infusion of conservation funding in state history from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources when a $3 million grant through the Next Level Conservation Trust was awarded to the preserve. The DNR also awarded a $500,000 grant from its Land and Water Conservation fund.

Although their conservation efforts have benefited the local community in spades, their resume extends far beyond Boone County.

The couple is involved with the Hoosier National Forest and Indiana Forest Alliance. They have raised money for the Amos Butler Audubon Society to purchase thousands of acres in Costa Rica for conservation. They bought around 48 acres of land in Brown County they then donated to the Nature Conservancy to become part of Hoosier National Forest. Nancy Carpenter said they own 1,000 acres in Colorado, which they lease to ranchers for cattle grazing.

“We keep it, and we don’t let it be hunted heavily, so the animals, especially during hunting season, the elk and the deer and the antelope, feel comfortable,” she said. “It’s kind of a resting

place.”

Styron and Nancy Carpenter founded the Zionsville Parks Foundation, which is working with the public parks department to study and design Phases 2 and 3 of the preserve. The Zionsville Parks Foundation raised more than $1 million for the nature preserve, and fundraising continues. The nature preserve opened in May. The couple said they were surprised to be nominated for the parade. Although they are not members of the local Lions Club, which is the largest in the state with more than 200 active members, they said they admire the club’s work in building and maintaining Lions Park.

“That park right in the middle of town has just been fabulous,” Jim Carpenter said.

The grand marshals will lead the parade at 10 a.m. Sept.

12 from Zionsville Community High School to Main Street.

MORE ON CARPENTER NATURE PRESERVE Work is ongoing at Carpenter Nature Preserve — and will continue in the coming years — as a second phase is planned that will include more preservation efforts and, eventually, more infrastructure, including trails, so visitors can enjoy more of the property.

The Indiana Stream and Wetland Mitigation Program plans to restore up to 10,000 linear feet of land along Eagle Creek and tributaries within the property. The DNR will also help take care of the area for 10 years.

Jim and Nancy Carpenter with their dog, Joy, outside of their Zionsville home.

Photo by Kaitlin Fallowfield.

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VIP Carnival set for Sept. 11

By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com

The Zionsville Lions Club’s Fall Festival will take place in Lions Park. (Image coutesy of Zionsville Lions Club)

2025 map schedule 8.5x11.indd 1

Children with disabilities and their families will get first dibs at enjoying the Zionsville Lions Club’s Fall Festival.

The 19th annual VIP Carnival is from 6 to 11 p.m. Sept. 11. Special needs children and their families enjoy a free meal and free rides throughout the night. Dinner will provided by Chick-fil-A and the Lions Club.

“It’s at their pace,” Fall Festival Chairman Tim Reinhart said.

The Lions Club expects more than 2,000 reservations. The event draws people from across the state.

“We have people come as far as northwest Indiana, Fort Wayne,” Reinhart said, as well as Chicago.

Live animal demonstrations by Silly Safari are also part of the VIP Carnival. Reinhart said the carnival is meant to give children with disabilities a true festival experience.

“It’s made just for them,” he said. “Those … hours, the kids are able to enjoy a festival.”

Reservations are to ensure there is enough food; however, last-minute attendees should not be dissuaded from attending. Register at zionsvillelions.com/fall-festival-vip-carnival.

The VIP Carnival is organized through a partnership with the HAWK Foundation, an Indiana nonprofit that supports families with children with disabilities.

Attendees should enter Lions Park through the main entrance on Sycamore Street.

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Club to announce fundraiser

By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com

The Zionsville Optimist Club presents the 44th Annual Hit the Bricks 5K RUN / 3K WALK

OCTOBER 3, 2026 at 8:00 AM Zionsville Town Hall Register today at tuxbro.com

A capital campaign for a Lions Park expansion will go live during the Zionsville Lions Club’s Fall Festival Sept.

11-13.

The volunteer organization will make public its plans to raise $2.6 million for the development of 5 additional acres at Lions Park. It purchased the additional acreage in 2024, located north of the pickleball courts.

More open space is eyed for the park.

An area called the Great Lawn, a large, open green space, is considered for the new land. It would be a place for picnic tables, walking paths and outdoor activities like flying kites, according to Fall Festival Chairman Tim Reinhart.

Reinhart said the Lions Club is still fleshing out the full plan but includes removing invasive plants from the new area as well as adding new trees. The club has held sessions with the community to receive input in what residents want in the park.

A needs assessment showed residents and park users want to see the park grow to accommodate people of all ages and abilities. Respondents said they would like to see additional programs, events and amenities that appeal to

The Zionsville Lions Club will announce plans to raise $2.6 million dollars for the development of 5 additional acres at Lions Park. (Photo by Spencer Durham)

teens and adults, especially those without children.

About $1.6 million of the total campaign is eyed for park upgrades. Phase 1 included improving the shelterhouse, which has been well received.

“The rentals for the shelterhouse exploded,” Reinhart said.

Another $1 million will go toward a legacy fund meant for yearly upkeep.

“It’s definitely a six-digit figure we spend each year on upkeep,” Reinhart said.

Lions Park is privately owned by the Lions Club.

“We are all very proud of the park,” Reinhart said.

CARNIVAL RIDES A HIGHLIGHT FOR FALL FESTIVAL

Since 1981, Zionsville Optimist Club has raised and donated over $500,000 in support of projects, programs and partner organizations that serve our local youth.

Carnival rides by Poor Jack’s Carnival will be from noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 12 and noon to 6 p.m.

Sept. 13. Wristband day — $25 for unlimited rides — is Sept. 13. (Photo courtesy of Zionsville Lions Club)

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Middle school band becomes vital part of parade

By Alex McCarthy alex@youarecurrent.com Through the years, the involvement of middle school musicians has become one of the highlights of the Fall Festival Parade, both for the students and the community.

When Josh Weirich, the seventh and eighth grade band director at Zionsville Middle School, arrived at the school 26 years ago, he wanted to find a way for the band to become more involved in the community. He quickly identified the annual Fall Festival Parade as an opportunity. That first year, there were about 75 students in the middle school band. That number has grown to about 350 students between Zionsville Middle School and Zionsville West Middle School.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. Sept.

12. Marching onto the bricks of Main Street is always a special experience for Weirich and the students. Weirich recognizes faces of former band members in the crowd, along with friends and family.

“It’s kind of a magical feeling because it feels like the entire town is there,” Weirich said. “When you enter downtown and step onto the brick street and the crowd is lined up on either side, I feel like I’m part of this Norman Rockwell painting. It’s like the best of America right there. People are waving flags and cheering, and there’s big crowds.

And so one thing they never forget is the crowds and the enthusiasm that we get when we’re marching all the way from the high school to downtown.”

Preparation for that moment starts about six months in advance when Weirich and the other band directors select the music they’ll play that year. The other directors include Chris Murray and Evan Schroeder from Zionsville Middle School and Liz Leatherberry and Candi Granlund from Zionsville West Middle School.

For this year’s “Out of This World” theme, they considered songs from classic space films and television like “Star Wars” and “Star Trek.” Young students might not feel as connected to those older movies, though, so the directors selected music from the 2014 action film “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

The directors also have to match the pace of the song to a comfortable marching pace. It can’t be too slow and

Students from Zionsville’s middle schools march in the 2025 Fall Festival Parade. (Photo courtesy of Zionsville Community Schools)

can’t be too fast. After they settle on the song, the two middle school bands begin practicing the song separately. They send each other recordings of their performances to keep track of each other,

but they don’t play it together until an hour before the parade.

Tim Reinhart, chairman of the festival, said seeing the students perform is a vital aspect of the parade.

“The tent is completely full, standing room only for that,” Reinhart said.

“This is the highlight of the afternoon.”

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The 23rd American Dream Car show will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 13 . (Photo courtesy of Zionsville Lions Club)

Parade integral to Fall Festival theme

By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com Whether it’s cartoons or cowboys or a night at the movies, the determination for the Zionsville Lions Club’s Fall Festival theme always connects to the main event: the downtown parade.

Tim Reinhart, chairman of the Fall Festival, said it’s a year-round project for the committee that selects each year’s theme. The 73rd Fall Festival, set for Sept. 11-13, is going into space this year with “Out of This World.”

“We try to come up with a fun theme that people can easily decorate the parade floats and costumes,” Reinhart said.

So, expect aliens, astronauts and other astronomical figures at this year’s parade, set for 10 a.m. Sept. 12. The route starts at Zionsville Community High School and ends on Main Street.

Reinhart said the parade has about 80 entries.

Four astronauts famously spent 10 days orbiting the moon aboard Artemis II earlier this year; however, Reinhart

Zionsville Fall Festival September 11 - 13, 2026

said the timing was merely coincidence for the Fall Festival theme. Themes are typically set a year in advance and announced at the previous year’s event.

Reinhart said there hasn’t been a decision yet.

“We’re going to have to start recycling some of these. It’s hard to keep coming up with new ideas,” he said.

For a full list of events, visit zionsvillelions.com/fallfestival.

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ZCHS graduate enjoys Miss Fall Festival reign

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Shaylee Barnes has won several competition titles through the Miss Indiana system, but it took some time to get one she really coveted.

The 2021 Zionsville High School graduate had always wanted to be Miss Fall Festival because it’s her hometown crown.

She first competed for Miss Fall Festival Teen at age 12.

She was unsuccessful at least three times in the teen portion and one time as Miss Fall Festival before finally winning it in 2025.

“It took me 10 years, but I finally won,” Barnes said. “Getting to represent Zionsville at the state competition was amazing, because I got to talk about my hometown. I know so much about it, because I’ve lived here almost my whole life. It definitely has a special place in my heart more than other titles. But I am always grateful for any opportunity I’ve had.”

Barnes, who has competed in Miss Indiana five times and Miss Indiana’s Teen three times, graduated from Indiana University in 2025. She is working on a master’s for a biomedical science degree at Marian University.

“It’s an accelerated one-year program that will help me get into Marian’s doctor of osteopathic medicine program,” she said.

Barnes, who will participate in the Fall Festival parade Sept. 12 and all three days for Fall Festival, will then help crown the Miss Fall Festival Oct. 3 at Hoosier Village Retirement Community in Zionsville. That winner will advance to the Miss Indiana competition in June 2027.

“I’ve gone to a lot of the Lions Club meetings, which was so special because they’ve always supported the Miss Indiana girls so much, so it was nice to be able to work with them,” Barnes said.

“I just went to their Fall Festival kickoff meeting and got to sing there. I went to a couple of their events in the (Lions Club) park. It’s always fun and rewarding to walk around the park and meet people and also see people I interact with in my daily life. I get to see them at the Miss Fall Festival and tell them what that opportunity and experience

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Shaylee Barnes was crowned Miss Fall Festival in October 2025. (Photo courtesy of Roger Manning)

is like.”

Barnes sang the national anthem at Zionsville Fourth of July celebration at Lions Park, which was delayed to July 5 because of weather.

“I got to see a lot of kids I teach at Village Dance Studio (in Zionsville),” she said. “They got to see me in a different aspect of my life, so that’s always so fun.”

The Miss Tippecanoe and Miss Tippecanoe Teen also will be crowned Oct. 3 at Hoosier Village. For more, visit the Miss Fall Festival page on Facebook.

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ZPD TO HAVE BITE DEMONSTRATION

The 73rd Fall Festival is Sept. 11-13 at Lions Park. (Photo courtesy of Zionsville Lions Club)

A bite demonstration from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Sept. 12 will be presented by the Zionsville Police Department with K-9s Mika and Ski. (Photos courtesy of Zionsville Lions Club)

PLENTY OF FOOD OPTIONS AT FALL FESTIVAL

Lions Club offers quick hits for festival news@youarecurrent.com The Zionsville Lions Club’s most popular event of the year, as well as its biggest fundraiser, is expected to draw at least 15,000 people over the course of three days.

The club released a list of FAQs for those interested in attending. They are as follows: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FALL FESTIVAL?

The Scoop, Greek’s Pizzaria, Georgia’s Kitchen, Red Barn Elephant Ears and Norvell’s BBQ highlight this year’s food options.

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Popular activities Sept. 12 include: The annual parade from Zionsville Community High School down to Main Street, local bands performing in Lions Park, Public Safety Day and Lions Lounge in the evening featuring music from the Impalas.

The 23rd annual American Dream Car Show, performances by Silly Safari in the Pet Pavilion and wristband day for Poor Jack’s Carnival are among the activities for Sept. 13.

“I feel like we hit a lot of different demographics,” Fall Festival Chairman Tim Reinhart said.

WHAT TYPES OF FOOD ARE THERE? There will be a wide range of festival food from local vendors including: elephant ears, kettle corn, pizza, Italian sausage, barbeque pork and other sweet treats.

WHAT ARE THE HOURS FOR THE CARNIVAL AND BOUNCE HOUSES? The carnival is open 6 to 11 p.m. Sept.

11; noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 12 and noon until 6 p.m. Sept. 13. Wristband day is Sept. 13. Wristbands are $25 for unlim-

ited rides. Bounce houses are open noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 12 and noon to 6 p.m.

Sept. 13. Daily wristbands are $16.

WHERE CAN I GET UP TO DATE INFORMATION ABOUT LIONS EVENTS? The most recent information is at zionsvillelions.com or on Facebook at Zionsville Lions.

IS THERE A LOST AND FOUND IN THE PARK? Lost and found is located in the Northwest corner of the park in the basement of the Lions Clubhouse.

DO THE VENDORS TAKE CREDIT CARDS? Most vendors in the park accept various forms of payment. For convenience, there is an ATM located near the Zionsville Little League concession stand all weekend long for those vendors that are cash only.

IS THERE A PLACE FOR MOTHERS TO NURSE THEIR CHILDREN? A baby care station is on Field 1 near the commercial vendor area.

IS THERE FIRST AID IN THE PARK? The first aid area is in the Public Safety area just north of the gazebo.

HOW TO BECOME A LION? The Zionsville Lions Club — the largest one in Indiana — is always looking to add members interested in serving the community. Contact Membership Director Tom Robbins tprobbins@ gmail.com to learn more.

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