City Market board sought 3-year closure for redevelopment
Board president says he quit after Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard declined proposal to shut down historic landmark until
2013 for major renovation.
Tourist Attractions
Articles
Funding cut jeopardizes popular Indiana Artisan program
A state-run program aimed at boosting business for local artisans—ranging from painters to syrup makers—and
turning them into a draw for tourists is in jeopardy because of dramatic funding cuts.
Holiday World sets turnstile record
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari amusement park in southern Indiana has set an attendance record, drawing more than 1 million visitors for the fourth year in a row.
Lawmakers hear arguments on school start dates
Having a uniform starting date for schools in late August or early September would save schools money and give families
and kids more prime vacation time, several parents told an interim legislative committee Wednesday.
Next year’s State Fair to feature Japanese exhibit
Japanese culture will be on display at the Indiana State Fair next year. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels announced today, while
traveling on a economic development mission in Japan, that the Asian country will be featured in its own exhibit at the fair
for the first time in 2010.
Hoosier Park quarantines 59 horses over illness concerns
Fifty-nine horses have been quarantined because of a suspected contagious infection at central Indiana’s Hoosier Park race
track.
Senator gathering opinions on school start dates
A state senator wants to know whether Indiana residents think public schools start their fall semesters too early.
Corn dogs, elephant ears and spas … at the fair
The Indiana State Fair brings to mind images of deep fried foods and carnival rides, but fair-goers sometimes buy big ticket items—like hot tub spas.
Lawmakers cut state tourism office’s budget in half
Destinations throughout Indiana no longer can count on a state marketing campaign to help drive summer crowds. Lawmakers who
passed a budget during the special session at the end of June sliced the state’s annual contribution
to the Indiana Office of Tourism Management in half—from $4.8 million to $2.4 million.
LOU’S VIEWS: Thrill parks offer rides of our lives
This week, three of my fellow IBJ scribes join me in picking our favorite area amusement park rides
Indianapolis outpaces Cincinnati in many convention measures
In this Quick Hits look at a competing convention city, Cincinnati boasts more convention space, but Indianapolis draws more guests.
20-story ‘Aerophare’ at White River park would change skyline
If "Aerophare" gets off the ground, downtown visitors will literally be riding up and down in a balloon, within
a 20-story, helical tower in White River State Park.
Aztar Casino license transfer considered
Eldorado Resorts LLC, a Nevada company, has a long-running bid to take over Casino Aztar in Evansville, and the bid now appears
to be heading for approval by state regulators.
Conner Prairie balloon ride part of 10-year strategy
Conner Prairie wants to pay homage to early aviator John Wise with a balloon ride that recalls his August
1859 trip from Lafayette at the helm of a gas-filled balloon bound for New York City with the nation’s first
air-mail delivery. An ill wind blew him Wisecourse, ending his flight in Crawfordsville, but he still earned
a place in history–and a U.S. Postal Service-issued stamp honoring his pioneering effort.
Plan would make Monument Circle grand public space
A group of local business and civic leaders is working on a plan to transform the city’s most visible symbol into a public-gathering space without equal in the United States. Monument Circle already hosts dozens of activities each year–including major concerts like last year’s NFL Kickoff–and it will host several events connected to the 2012 Super Bowl. But many stakeholders believe the Circle has yet to live up to its true potential.
NCAA mum on date to reopen fire-damaged Hall of Champions
Almost a full year after a fire in a single exhibit closed the NCAA Hall of Champions, the wait for the college sports
museum’s reopening is becoming as prolonged and agonizing as sitting through a college football game during
a freezing November rain. The NCAA is apparently in no hurry to relieve the suspense.
Central Canal might get floating stage
A floating stage for concerts and a submarine memorial are in the works for Indianapolis’ Central Canal, adding to the downtown
waterway’s growing base of attractions. Efforts to develop a one-acre site at the heart of the canal, meanwhile, remain stalled.
Zoobilation sells out fast despite $200-plus admission
Far from the typical rubber-chicken fund-raiser attended mostly by board members and their friends–Zoobilation, the 22-year-old,
annual black-tie fund-raiser for the Indianapolis Zoo–attracts 4,300 ticket holders eager to spend an evening wining and
dining at the zoo.
Transportation museum rolls out expansion plan
After 47 years of relative anonymity, the Indiana Transportation
Museum is steaming ahead with an effort to increase its visibility, attract new riders and eventually grow the organization.
Collector betting comic-book heroes draw crowds to downtown museum
A museum in the
works for downtown would feature one of the world’s largest collections of super hero memorabilia, including a Batmobile and
costumes worn by every actor who has played Superman on TV or in the movies.