By Anna Skinner
Following Grand Park’s opening in 2014 and the Jonathan Byrd’s Fieldhouse opening in January, the Grand Park Events Center will open July 21 for a weekend of festivities.
The weekend-long celebration includes an indoor festival with inflatables, movie nights, vendors and tours, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the third annual Grand Run 5K Run/Walk and the seventh annual Mayor’s Yellow Tie Ball Gala Event.
Grand Park Marketing Manager Michelle Krcmery said the weekend event showcases all possible uses of the events center.
“We’ve got a scrimmage, so that’s the sport use. We’ve got the gala happening, so that’s the non-sport use,” she said. “The vendor row gives the sense of how a trade show might work in the facility, and the event itself is showcasing what events can be held.”
All activities will take place inside the 370,000-square-foot facility, except for the ribbon-cutting ceremony that will take place on the front lawn.
FESTIVAL
The indoor festival, Inflate-A-Fest, will feature inflatables and bounce houses. Food vendors will be available. An all-you-can bounce ticket is $10.
In addition to inflatable bounce houses and obstacle courses, family-friendly movie nights will be from 7 to 9 p.m. and 9 to 11 p.m. July 21 and 22 on the east indoor field. Tickets are $5 per person, and families are welcome to stay for the double feature.
There will be no alcohol at the event.
RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be 6 p.m. July 22 on the front lawn of the event center. The ceremony includes two World War II T-6 airplanes flown by the Warbird Training Center in Kokomo.
“The other neat thing about the ribbon cutting is Sandra Wood is singing the National Anthem,” Krcmery said. “She and Craig Wood were the property owners of Grand Park before it was Grand Park. It’s neat that it’s all tying back into the history of Westfield and the park.”
GRAND RUN
The third annual 5K Run/Walk will begin and end in the Grand Park Events Center this year. It begins at 7:30 a.m. July 23.
For the 5K, registration is $25 in advance and $30 the day of. The kids’ run is $10 in advance and $15 the day of. A shirt is guaranteed if registrations are made by July 15. The course will travel through the park’s trail systems.
MAYOR’S YELLOW TIE BALL
The Mayor’s Yellow Tie Ball is the final event of the opening weekend. Formal attire such as tuxes and dresses is encouraged, except guests should wear comfortable shoes due to the turf of the events center. Guests are encouraged to wear yellow.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, Noblesville Mayor John Distlear and Carmel Mayor James Brainard will be invited to the event.
All proceeds from the opening weekend and the Yellow Tie Ball will benefit the Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program. Previously, the Mayor’s Yellow Tie Ball only benefitted the Westfield Youth Assistance Program.
“This is an extension of Grand Park, and a lot of people haven’t experienced Grand Park, and we are going into our third year this month,” Communications Director Erin Murphy said. “The Grand Park Events Center is really expanding on that and expanding on the vision of Mayor Cook. It’ll be exciting and show other uses this event center can hold other than sports.”
For more, visit grandpark.org/grand-park-event-center/.
Schedule of events
July 21
Noon to 11 p.m. – Inflate-A-Fest
7 to 11 p.m. – Movies on the Turf
July 22
Noon to 11 p.m. – Inflate-A-Fest
6 to 7 p.m. – Ribbon-cutting ceremony
7 to 11 p.m. – Movies on the Turf
July 23
7:30 to 9:30 a.m. – Grand Run
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Inflate-A-Fest
6 to 7 p.m. – Mayor’s Yellow Tie Ball sponsor reception
7 to 7:30 p.m. – Mayor’s Yellow Tie Ball registration and mingling
7:30 to 9 p.m. – Dinner, presentations and silent auction
9 to 11 p.m. – Live entertainment provided by the Fun Factor Band