Thursday, May 15th
Smoky meats, smooth bourbon, and summer vibes await at the Hard Truth Bourbon & BBQ Festival in Nashville, Indiana! Join us July 25–26 at Hard Truth Distilling Co. for two days of bold flavor and live music in the hills of Brown County.
Friday night kicks off with a VIP dinner featuring bourbon-infused BBQ pairings from Pitmaster Dave White and Master Distiller Bryan Smith. Saturday brings nonstop action: live music, a sanctioned BBQ competition, special guest appearances (including Netflix’s Chef James “BBQ” Grubs), bourbon tastings, outdoor games, and a VIP cigar lounge.
🎟️ Tickets go live soon — we’ll let you know when!
For now, mark your calendar and start stretching for the bourbon barrel roll.
📜 This Week in Indiana History 📜
Soldiers and Sailors Monument is Dedicated (1902)
Here is a fact for you… the city with the most military monuments is, unsurprisingly, Washington D.C. The state that is second on the list? Indianapolis. One of the most famous of those military monuments is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
If you haven’t heard of it, you most definitely have seen it. You know Monument Circle? You know that big tall obelisk that you drove around? Yep, that’s the one! It was dedicated on May 15, 1902, and is in honor of Indiana Soldiers and Sailors that served during the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and the Mexican-American War.
Not only does the monument honor the soldiers from Indiana during those wars, it has also become an iconic symbol of the City of Indianapolis. It is very common to drive around the brick covered roundabout (this is Indiana after all…) to see this monument in all of its glory.
⚡ Hoosier Headlines ⚡
Reserved for the ‘1 Big wIN’ (or sometimes 2 Big wINs) section over the past four newsletters, it’s time to move the Indiana Pacers to our Hoosier Headlines section because goodness, this team is for real. Indiana has advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for a second straight season, marking the first time that’s happened since 2013-14. How’d they get there? After dumping the fifth-seeded Milwaukee Bucks 4 games to 1 in the first round, the No. 4 seeded Pacers shook up the NBA postseason and disposed of the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in five games as well. The ‘Cers won all three games played on the road, including a 114-105 final on Tuesday that clinched the series nobody at the worldwide leader in sports predicted. Another crazy stat for you? This season, postseason included, Cleveland was 0-5 against Indiana at home and 36-5 against everyone else. 🏀
We are officially 10 days away from the 109th Running of the 500, and the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend in Indy is going to be of epic proportions. First, you have the race and the green flag being waved at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at approximately 12:45 p.m. ET. Later that night at 8 p.m. ET on TNT, the Pacers are set to host Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Tickets are still available for the 500 here. 🏎
So, a little more about the 500 and our newest partner Java House, which has come aboard as one of the beverage partners for our all Indiana infield tailgate. Now we’re looking for food partners! There will be a prize wheel at the tailgate with Java House Cold Brew and Liquid Science pods up for grabs, and the grand winner will receive $2,000! The 500 isn’t the only place where you can win big with Java House, too; use code NATE20 to receive 20% off your online order at javahouse.com with no expiration date. 🤑☕️
Looking for a night out that’s more than just another bar? Back 9 Golf & Entertainment has everything you need—golf, music, drinks, and good times. Whether you’re perfecting your swing, hanging with friends, or celebrating something big, this locally owned hot spot makes every night a great one. Swing by and see what the hype’s all about!
💎 Hidden Gems 💎
The Depot District in Richmond has welcomed Martin Luther King Jr., Joe DiMaggio and the New York Yankees, and multiple U.S. presidents over many decades. Within the Depot District, be sure to visit the family-owned Firehouse BBQ & Blues which is housed in an old firehouse. 🚒
Another family-owned spot to check out is 5 Arch Brewing Co. in Centerville. Located on U.S. 40/Main Street, 5 Arch Brewing offers up a great beer selection and full menu with burgers, sandwiches, pizza and more. For every drink purchased, you’ll receive a wooden nickel that you can drop in one of five nonprofit boxes at the door to help out the local community. We’ll cheers to that. 🍻
What’s your Hidden Gem? Reply to this email to get it featured!
👏 1 Big wIN 👏
Central Indiana will soon be home to another Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. Already with locations in Noblesville, Carmel and Avon, Raising Cane’s will add another restaurant on U.S. Highway 31 South with an Indianapolis address near the city’s southern suburbs. Whether you’re a fan of its chicken fingers and dipping sauce or Texas toast, the south side of Indy will soon add a little Louisiana flavor to its restaurant menu.
🎙 Today on Get IN., I'm joined by Aaron Green, CEO of Struggle Made Me and creator of Struggle University.
Aaron shares his incredible journey from growing up in challenging circumstances in Indianapolis to founding two social enterprises that empower system-impacted youth and families.
We delve into his personal story, including the impact of his father's incarceration and death, and how he overcame numerous adversities to become a community leader dedicated to mentorship and entrepreneurship.
We also talk about the importance of mental health, coping strategies, and Aaron's ongoing efforts to provide safe spaces and resources for young people.
You are going to learn about:
- The impact of mentorship and safe spaces for youth
- Aaron’s journey of channeling personal struggle into positive impact
- Struggles and triumphs within the education system
