By KELLY McVEY
Indiana Peony Festival
The story of the Indiana Peony Festival is intimately tied to Seminary Park.
We’ve been asked “Why Seminary Park?” many times since our first festival in May 2021 – and it’s one we love to answer!
- Rich History: The county initially bought the land in 1844 for the town’s first schoolhouse, known as the County Seminary, and later it was the location of the Second Ward School, which served Noblesville students for more than 100 years. The land that Seminary Park is on has always been a rich part of downtown Noblesville!
- Proximity to Downtown: Three blocks away from downtown Noblesville, it’s so close to our downtown merchants! We love how many of you choose to venture downtown on the day of the festival, whether that is to shop the square or participate in Brunch & Blooms.
- Parking Options Galore: The park is perfectly nestled between so many parking options – the old Firestone parking lots to the east, three parking garages to the north, and on-street parking throughout the downtown core, it’s a great option for residents and visitors alike.
And, of course, an opportunity for peonies to thrive! If you’re a gardener, you might know that peonies need LOTS of sunlight! The ample sunlight these blooms get in Seminary Park is vital and without this, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy all of these beauties on festival day!
While we love our neighbor, Forest Park, it doesn’t offer adequate parking, the proximity to our downtown merchants, and has a hard time getting enough sunlight to get these more than 200 peony plants to grow with all the trees overhead.
If you haven’t yet heard, we have an expanded footprint this year, too!
On the day of the festival, we’re shutting down 10th Street to line it with vendors from Mulberry to Cherry Street. This will give visitors a bit more space within Seminary Park so you’ll be able to stroll the park and shop along the streets of our charming downtown!
Click here to read an Instagram post for more expansion details.
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We’re excited to continue hosting this kick-off to summer in the heart of our downtown, where you can peruse beautiful floral installations in the park, shop with local vendors along the streets of our historic downtown and enjoy good eats and peony-inspired treats from our downtown restaurants. We can’t wait to see you in May!
Hey you, Peony People, we’re calling all volunteers!
The Indiana Peony Festival is a huge lift, and we can’t do it without our incredible team of volunteers!
- We’re powered by Peony People: Our celebration of the Indiana state flower and Noblesville’s vibrant downtown is supported by the spirit and dedication of volunteers like you! As a non-profit organization, we lean on the support and enthusiasm of volunteers to bring our event to life, and to make each year even brighter and more memorable than the last.
- Peony positions abound: Whether you’re looking to roll up your sleeves planting peonies, want to help run a merch booth, or offer your skills in another capacity, we promise there’s a place for you on our team.
Ready to make a difference and have fun along the way? We’re looking for 34 more people passionate about peonies to join our volunteer team! Simply fill out this form and we’ll be in touch about the exciting ways you can contribute to this year’s festival and beyond. We can’t wait to welcome you!
Click here to become a volunteer.
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Are you a florist? We need you, too!
Jessica Evans – First Class Florals (Photo provided)
The Indiana Peony Festival is looking for talented and artistic floral designers to bring Seminary Park and downtown Noblesville to life.
- The fourth annual Indiana Peony Festival will take place on Saturday, May 18 and will have approximately 20 floral display areas throughout Seminary Park, 10th Street and in downtown Noblesville for florists of all experiences and backgrounds to adorn. The festival succeeds when our florists succeed!
- Come, florists big and small! The applicants chosen will be given a key area in the festival footprint to display their creativity and showcase their business.
- Opportunities across the spectrum: All types of floral displays are welcome for submission – there are opportunities for centerpieces all the way up to large displays showcased throughout the festival.
- Where and when: Florists will be permitted to construct their displays from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 17 for the Seminary Park area and from 6 to 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 18 for displays along 10th Street and in downtown Noblesville.
Don’t you worry – the Indiana Peony Festival will be providing the peonies for the displays. We are also negotiating special pricing for greenery and other florals through our friends at Kennicott.
Click here to learn more.
More updates will be announced as Festival Weekend nears. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram.