Hamilton County leaders and community members got a first look this week at the newly renovated 4-H Exhibition Building and Llama Barn, marking the first major upgrades to the county fairgrounds in more than 25 years.

Unveiled during a preview event on Monday, April 28, the renovations are part of Phase One of a three-phase redevelopment plan aimed at modernizing the 40-acre campus. The updated facilities will officially open to the public on June 1 and are expected to expand the site’s capacity for large-scale events and year-round community programming.

“These improvements will provide accessible public space for more community events, support the Hamilton County Extension, agricultural and life science industries, provide world-class learning space, and act as a catalyst for economic development,” said Susan Peterson, Purdue Extension Hamilton County Director.

Renovations to the 24,000-square-foot Exhibition Center, managed by construction firm Skender, include a new roof, flooring, restrooms, and upgraded audio/visual technology. The Llama Barn, updated by Hagerman Construction, received a 2,117-square-foot expansion, new restrooms and catering prep area, heating and cooling upgrades, large air fans, and AV enhancements.

The Hamilton County Council and Board of Commissioners invested $15 million in the first phase of the project.

“The County understood the need for a long-overdue investment in this vital community asset,” said County Council President Sue Maki. “We saw this as an opportunity to not only support 4-H but to create a high-impact venue that brings lasting value to Hamilton County residents.”

A new Bicentennial Pavilion—replacing the O.V. Winks and Annex Buildings—is slated to open in time for the Hamilton County 4-H Fair, set for July 17–21. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is expected to be announced soon.

Future phases, dependent on additional funding, could include a new Show Arena, two landmark silos at the campus entrance, and upgrades to outdoor structures. Supporters are currently seeking donors to help move the project forward.

In their inaugural Indoor Football League (IFL) season, one thing has become clear about the Fishers Freight: Head Coach and General Manager Dixie Wooten isn’t afraid to make bold roster moves.

When kicker Mike Baloga struggled early in the season, Wooten made a swift decision to release him and bring in Victor Leventritt. Now, following a three-game losing streak, Wooten has once again reshuffled the roster—this time releasing three players: wide receiver Jaelin Carter, defensive lineman Izaiah Reed, and defensive back Kareen Gaulden.

To help bolster the defense, the Fuel have signed linebacker Cam Hunt, a former Carmel High School standout who most recently played for the Omaha Beef of the National Arena League (NAL).

The Fuel face a major challenge this Saturday night at the Fishers Event Center as they take on the undefeated Quad City Steamwheelers, who currently lead the Eastern Division. Adding to the excitement, the game will feature a special Star Wars Night theme.  Tickets are available.
 

Summer is arriving early in Fishers as two of the city’s most beloved seasonal attractions — the Fishers AgriPark and Fishers Farmers Market — kick off the season with new features and programming.

Fishers AgriPark Reopens with Major Upgrades

Beginning Wednesday, May 1, the Fishers AgriPark reopens to the public with several enhancements designed to improve the visitor experience and extend the park’s impact throughout the year. The 33-acre urban farm at 11171 Florida Road, known for its family-friendly atmosphere and agricultural education, has received over $900,000 in upgrades heading into the 2025 season.

Among the most notable additions is a brand-new multi-purpose building, which includes indoor restrooms and expanded space for community events and programs. A nature-themed playground constructed from Indiana black locust wood also makes its debut, offering children a natural and imaginative play space.

In a major shift, the AgriPark will now operate year-round — a change from its traditional May-through-October season. Visitors can expect seasonal hours, with expanded summer hours as follows:

• Sunday: Noon – 4 PM

• Monday & Tuesday: Closed

• Wednesday – Friday: 10 AM – 6 PM

• Saturday: Noon – 4 PM

Later this year, the park will introduce a new country store and coffee shop that will serve as a hub for local goods and vendors during the winter months.

Fishers Farmers Market Returns May 3

Just days later, the Fishers Farmers Market will return to the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater (6 Municipal Drive) on Saturday, May 3. The market will run every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon through September and will feature over 90 local vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, and more.

Known for its welcoming atmosphere — including being one of the only dog-friendly farmers markets in the Indianapolis area — the market was recently ranked 6th in Indiana by the American Farmland Trust’s Farmers Market Coalition.

For a full list of vendors and special event days, visit FishersParks.com/FarmersMarket.

With expanded offerings, enhanced facilities, and continued community support, Fishers is primed for another vibrant summer season that begins even before the calendar says so.

The much-delayed lane widening project on Cumberland Road, between 106th and 116th Streets, will be bid no later than February of 2027.  That’s the word from the City of Fishers Engineering Department Director Hatem Mekky.  The Board of Public Works and Safety voted Tuesday morning to extend the arrangement with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to widen the road and rehabilitate the bridge over Sand Creek. Utility work required along this stretch of road has delayed the project.   Mekky says if utilities finish their work before February of 2027, the bidding could be conducted earlier.

In other items before the Board of Works:

–The Board has promised action on where to locate a traffic signal between Cumberland and Hoosier Roads along 116th Street, servicing residents in the Spyglass and Spyglass Falls neighborhoods.  The board entered into a contract with A&F Engineering to study the best location for the traffic signal.  A recommendation is expected by July.  Also, a similar contract with A&F will study improvements needed along Brooks School Road from 141st Street to Fall Creek Road.

–The board accepted a bid of just under $1.7 million to connect the following trail segments – 106th St between Quaker Ridge and Fall Rd, on Hoosier Rd between 116th St and 121st St, and on 131st St. connecting Lantern Rd and the Nickel Plate Trail. These sections of trail will run approximately .85 miles, including crossing over 4 creeks and streams.  “These are three pretty important connection points for the city,” Mayor Scott Fadness said.  Surplus funds from 2024 will be utilized for these projects.

–The board approved additions to the public-private partnership with Hageman Group to construct the Community Center.  Cardio equipment will be procured earlier than planned to avoid any tariff impact.  Also, certain outdoor improvements to the exterior of the
Community Center will be added, providing more readily usable exterior space for childcare and outdoor camps.

Breakout rap artist Ken Carson has announced his upcoming “The Lord of Chaos” arena tour in support of his new album More Chaos, which recently debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200—Carson’s first chart-topping release.

Presented by Live Nation, the North American tour will include a stop at the new Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana, on Friday, August 15, 2025.

More Chaos, released April 11, marks a major milestone for the Atlanta-born artist, showcasing a bold evolution of the genre-blending “chaos” sound he first introduced with A Great Chaos. The album also reached No. 1 on Apple Music’s All-Genre chart, Spotify’s Global and U.S. charts, and HITS Top 50, racking up over 21 million streams on its release day.

Artist presale tickets will be available starting Wednesday, April 30, at 10 a.m. local time via www.kencarson.xyz/tour, with general sales beginning Friday, May 2, at 10 a.m.

The new Principal of Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) High School will not have far to travel –  he is leaving Noblesville, where he currently serves as Principal.  Dr. Craig McCaffrey was formally approved by the HSE School Board in an early morning board session Tuesday as the new HSE High School leader.

Also officially hired at that meeting were:

–Nawla Williams, current Dean at Fishers High School, will be moving to the Directorship of Alternative Education at the Hamilton Southeastern Fishers Academy.

–Danielle Chastain moves from Instructional Coach at Deer Creek Elementary to Principal at Deer Creek.  Ms. Chastain was the principal at Southeastern Elementary when it initially opened.

Interestingly, all three told the board they never had being a school administrator on their radar until recently.

Ky Ragsdale assumed the job of Fishers Fire & Emergency Services Chief in late January, when long-time Chief Steve Orusa retired.  Now that he has been in this job for about 3 months, I sat down with Chief Ragsdale at his office in Fire Department Headquarters to record this podcast.

He talked about his new job and several issues facing fire protection and emergency services.  Listen to the podcast at the link below.

There are true gems in the State of Indiana, and in my humble opinion, one of them is public broadcasting. I have been a proud member and supporter of our local public radio and television stations for as long as I can remember. Public broadcasting fills a vital need that cable, streaming, and YouTube simply cannot satisfy.

The Indiana General Assembly’s decision to eliminate the state’s $7.35 million annual contribution to public broadcasters will hurt — and it will hurt most in the places that can least afford it: small public broadcasters across the state.

The smaller the market, the harder the blow. As Indianapolis Business Journal reporter David Lindquist points out in an article on the IBJ website (subscription likely required), not every part of Indiana will feel this cut equally. Mark Newman, executive director of Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations Inc., tells Lindquist that while larger stations like WFYI in Indianapolis rely on state funding for about 5% of their annual budgets, smaller public TV and radio stations depend on it for 30% to 40% of their operating budgets.

“The elimination of funding is not insignificant for any station, but it’s considerably more significant for some,” Newman told the IBJ.

And the threat of lawmakers in Washington — including Indiana’s own Senator Jim Banks — cutting federal funding for public broadcasting could make an already bad situation even worse. Newman says his organization will work hard to find alternative sources of funding, but the task will be far from easy.

Penalizing the more rural areas of Indiana by stripping away all state support for public broadcasting makes no sense to me.

The Fishers Freight kicked off their inaugural Indoor Football League (IFL) season in style, winning their first two games and bringing plenty of excitement to the new Fishers Event Center. However, since that second win at their home opener, the season has taken a tougher turn.

The Freight hit the road for a close contest against the Massachusetts Pirates, falling by just three points. Back at home, they faced the Bay Area Panthers and suffered a more decisive defeat.

Looking to regroup, Coach Dixie Wooten’s squad traveled to Des Moines Saturday night to take on the Iowa Barnstormers. Unfortunately, it turned into the toughest loss in the young franchise’s short history. Iowa, previously winless at 0-3, dominated the Freight with a 68-37 victory.

The Barnstormers’ sudden turnaround was fueled by the arrival of new quarterback James Cahoon, who brought a passing attack that had been missing from Iowa’s offense. His impact was immediate and overwhelming. Meanwhile, turnovers plagued the Freight — including a costly pick-six — and penalties at critical moments further derailed their efforts.

Despite the setbacks, the Freight showed some fight. In the fourth quarter, quarterback Keegan Shoemaker connected with Jordan Kress for a touchdown, pulling Fishers within one score of tying the game. But momentum quickly shifted again when Iowa’s Caleb Streat intercepted a Shoemaker pass and returned it for a touchdown, making it 52-37. From there, the Barnstormers pulled away, adding two more scores to seal the final margin.

With the loss, the Freight fall to 2-3 in their first IFL season. The road ahead doesn’t get any easier: Fishers will host the Eastern Division-leading Quad City Steamwheelers on Saturday, May 3, back at the Fishers Event Center. The season is still young, and the Freight have a real opportunity to turn things around. How they respond against a top opponent like Quad City will tell us a lot about the character of this first-year team.

With the weather warming, look for more road construction projects underway in and around Fishers.  There will be work starting on some new roundabouts and many other updates of interest in this latest message.

Here is the listing, for the work week beginning Monday, April 28, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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