Riley Festival

Oct 08, 2023 @ 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Riley Festival

October 5th: 5pm – 9pm

October 6th: 9am-9pm

October 7th: 9am – 9pm

October 8th: 11am – 5pm

Come and enjoy one of the largest craft festivals in the state of Indiana, with designated areas for food, commercial, flea market booths, and much more.  Over 460 exhibitors will set up on the streets around the courthouse. The event follows many years of traditions in celebrating the birth date of famed “Hoosier Poet” James Whitcomb Riley. The Riley Festival begins every year on the first Thursday of October in beautiful downtown Greenfield Indiana. Residents of Greenfield, Hancock County, and surrounding areas combine their talents and resources to honor the memory of Greenfield’s native son. Each year, one of Mr. Riley’s poems is selected as the festival theme; this year, the theme is “Nine Little Goblins.”

The Greenfield Banking Company Entertainment Tent is a showcase for a wide variety of talent. The Parade Of Flowers, which has been taking place for well over 65 years, features Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation’s elementary students marching downtown to place bouquets of flowers around Mr. Riley’s statue.  The statue was placed in front of the courthouse in 1918 and is the focal point of the Riley Festival.  The regular parade will be on Saturday with over 75 units traveling from the high school through downtown to Riley Park. Defcon Security Solutions, an Indiana Owned member, will be at the celebration honoring James Whitcomb Riley.   

Various contests are available to enter, such as Photography, Home Arts & Quilt Show, and Little Miss & Mr. Pageant.

 

Shuttle Service: 

For your convenience, shuttle buses will run from the Hancock County 4-H Fairgrounds to the east entrance of the festival until 9pm for donation of $1.00.

2023 Riley Festival