The downtown Noblesville Square will be in a sweet spot with three separate but coordinated events from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 18.
The entire downtown square will be the site of the Nickel Plate Arts Maker Faire, which is unlike most summer markets because there will also be live demonstrations, and all goods for sale are handmade by artists, craftspeople and even kids. Living within the Maker Faire footprint will be a Juneteenth Celebration including educational activities, music, and entertainment brought to you by local inclusion and equity groups in the region. Also not to be missed, the square will be home to St. Michael’s Strawberry Festival. Attendees can enhance their shopping experience with sweet strawberry shortcakes while supplies last.
Maker Faire Affair
Nickel Plate Arts returns this summer with Maker Faire, a showcase and marketplace filled with hand-made goods, gifts, and gear. This marketplace is open to the public and attendees are encouraged to bring a cloth bag, wagon, or truck to haul away their purchased treasures. More than 70 makers and artisans will display and sell their handcrafted goods, with a special emphasis on first-time exhibitors. Providing a jumping-off point for creative entrepreneurs, Maker Faire offers a low-cost point of entry for Kid Entrepreneurs (makers 17 and under) the opportunity to have a vendor booth at $0. While shopping might be top priority, there will also be numerous art and maker demonstrations showcased throughout the day.
“Interest in Maker Faire has grown considerably since last year,” Nickel Plate Operations Manager Les Reinhardt said. “With the number of makers that have applied this year, not even counting our new kid entrepreneurs, we’re looking to almost double last year’s number of artisans and hold the biggest Maker Faire in Nickel Plate Arts’ history! It’s going to take a lot of teamwork, but I know we’re up for the challenge to make this year amazing for everyone involved.”
In addition to the variety of handmade goods – including wood items, children’s books, pottery, quilts, clothing, bath and body items, jewelry, home decor, and even some unique items that defy description – attendees will be able to try their hands at several project-based activities provided by Hamilton East Public Library’s IGNITE Studio and Fishers Parks and Recreation’s Maker Playground.
“We are excited to showcase a wide range of art mediums available every day for FREE in the Ignite Studio at this year’s Maker Faire, with a particular emphasis on printmaking, 3D printing, and laser engraving,” said Katelyn Coyne, Director of Experiential Learning for Hamilton East Public Library’s IGNITE Studio.
Attendees are encouraged to follow Nickel Plate Arts on social media and visit nickelplatearts.org/makerfaire for parking, and “what to expect” instructions as plans for increased pedestrian traffic, and parking locations will be provided as a guide for vendors and attendees.
Selling Like Hotcakes
St. Michael’s Strawberry Festival is a highly anticipated seasonal event which features homemade shortcake baked by members of the St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. These strawberry shortcakes sell out every year, so shortcakes are only offered while they last. The early bird truly does get this sweet summer treat!
“Please join St Michael’s for our 44th annual Strawberry Festival, always held on the Saturday before Father’s Day,” St. Michael’s Strawberry Fest Organizer Nancy Allen said. “Rain or shine we will be there serving homemade shortcakes, strawberries, ice cream and whipped topping. Look for the big white tent on the square where we will be serving from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.”
Juneteenth Celebration
Rounding out the trifecta of summer sweets and maker sales is Juneteenth. This annual celebration memorializes the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Based on the north side of the Square, the Juneteenth section includes a series of activities, entertainment, and education for all ages.
“Juneteenth has relevant and historical connections to Hamilton County, and supporting this celebration is a way to bring history to life,” Hamilton County Historian David Heighway said.
All three events will run concurrently from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, rain or shine. (St. Michael’s Strawberry Festival runs while supplies last.) You can get sneak peeks of merchandise, programming, and weather contingencies by following @nickelplatearts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. #stmichaelsstrawberryfest #makerfaire #nickelplatearts #juneteenth #juneteenthcelebration
For more information, go to nickelplatearts.org/makerfaire.
About Nickel Plate Arts
Nickel Plate Arts is an umbrella nonprofit organization that creates and coordinates arts and cultural experiences across communities in eastern Hamilton County and the surrounding areas to improve the quality of life for residents, strengthen local economies and enrich experiences for visitors. Nickel Plate Arts is a project of Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. Visit Nickel Plate Arts at 107 S. 8th St., Noblesville, online at nickelplatearts.org or call (317) 452.3690.