Peonies bring neighborhood to vibrant life

I’ll never forget the first Indiana Peony Festival that took place just blocks from my home four years ago. I remember hearing about it and thinking, “How nice that our state flower will get recognition along with Seminary Park!” I figured a couple hundred people would attend.

My boys and I spent a lot of time at Seminary Park when they were little. Jonathon and Jacob especially loved climbing the trees (which, now that I think about it, I’m not sure they were supposed to do there … oops …) It’s been wonderful to see how it’s improved over the last five years.

I made plans to check out the festival right after going to our farmers market that morning. Imagine my shock when I left the market around 11 to find downtown Noblesville clogged with traffic. A five-minute drive home turned into 20. I’m ashamed to admit I was a bit annoyed.

 

But then I went to the festival and was thrilled to see so many people, booths, and of course, peonies! By the end of the day, I thought, “Hey … these festival organizers are onto something.”

As time went on, my family learned to embrace the event. We no longer plan on driving anywhere that day. Our transportation is either by foot or bike.

It’s been a joy to see the Peony Festival grow and spread out to touch so many businesses, organizations, and our downtown. It’s also comical to witness the transformation of our normally quiet South 9^th Street neighborhood.

This year, a certain newspaper invited me to attend the VIPP event the evening before the festival. However, after the tornado sirens went off and we huddled in our basement once again, I hesitated to go to Seminary Park. But the festival committee wasn’t deterred, and by 8 they were back with the festivities. I meandered around and took a few photos.

 

The next day, my husband John and I worked to mitigate the damage to our fence and yard. We were fortunate that it was minor – some of our neighbors had it much worse. As I picked up sticks in the front and side yard, I chatted with families, groups of friends, and dogs on leashes as they walked by. (Yes, I talk to dogs.)

It was fun to welcome so many people to my neighborhood and to hear where they were from. One group of ladies – pups in hand – was from Bremen, which is near South Bend. My happy place is Lake of the Woods, located in Bremen, and it was fun to have that connection.

Center Stage Guitars had their own event to go along with the festival, and my neighborhood had a soundtrack for the afternoon. John and I loved it all!

By four o’clock, things gradually began to calm down. We watched the cars thin out in the parking lot near Ginger’s and on our street. I was thrilled that the weather cooperated for the festival and that thousands of people got to see how awesome Noblesville – and its Plum Prairie Neighborhood – could be.

My enthusiasm is just going to keep growing for this event. Don’t be surprised if you see a sign next year on a certain South 9^th Street saying, “Welcome Peony Festival Attendees!” We’re so glad to have them all.

Amy Shankland is a writer and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John, two sons, two dogs, and a cat. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.