The Greater Plainfield Fourth of July Celebration is at Hummel Park again this year, presented by the Town of Plainfield, Guilford Township, the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce, and many community businesses and organizations. Hours are 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Since the fireworks display was moved to Hummel Park in 1997, the event has taken on a festival atmosphere with food booths, games, music, and other activities starting earlier in the day. More than 10,000 people regularly attend. Because of the crowd, additional parking will be available at Plainfield High School with a free shuttle operating between the high school and Hummel Park.
Here is the schedule for the day:
4:00 p.m. - Food booths open and games are available for the kids. Look for a dunk tank, and don't forget to buy a lucky duck at the Chamber's booth.
6:00 p.m. - The Chamber's famous Duck Race on White Lick Creek, where someone will win up to $150. Cash prizes will also be awarded for the winners of each heat and the final four places. Only 300 ducks are available. Ducks may be purchased for $5 each, either in advance or at the Chamber's booth on the day of the event.
7:00 p.m. - The Knightsmen, an Indianapolis '60s garage band, will perform a free concert at the Performing Arts Center.
9:00 p.m. The Fireworks Extravaganza begins.
For additional information, call Hummel Park at 839-9121.
The Knightsmen are Real '60s Band
The Knightsmen, who will be appearing at the Fourth of July Celebration at Hummel Park, are a 1960s band in the truest sense of the word. The eight musicians were one of the original Indiana garage bands that performed together in high school in the mid to late 1960s. The band specialized in hit songs by the Beatles, the Rascals, Wilson Pickett, the Beach Boys, Mitch Ryder, Sam & Dave, the Moody Blues, Roy Orbison, Cream, and more.
In the summer of 1968 the group was the winner of the "Battle of the Bands" in Indianapolis.
They reunited in 1998 and began playing throughout Indiana, specializing in rock classics. A notable band member of the Knightmen is Karl Hinkle, who performed with the Wright Brothers (Overland Stage) for ten years on national television and locations throughout the United States.
Since 2002, the group has played such diverse events as the CarQuest Auto Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, Summer Concert Music Series at Carmel and at Greenwood, the National Corvette Club convention, the Indiana State Fair, the Independence Celebration in New Palestine, Marion's "Crusin' in the Park" festival, and the Kenny Irwin Jr. Memorial Camp.
They look forward to seeing everyone at the Fourth of July Celebration.
Police Remind Citizens to be Safe on Trails
As we head into the busy summer season in the parks, the Plainfield Police department reminds citizens to take normal precautions on the trails systems and be safe.
"As the trails system in Plainfield continue to expand, out through Saratoga and around the new rec center complex, we ask citizens to remember to use common sense," said Larry Brinker, Chief of Police. "For example, in the new areas around the rec center, landscapers will be working and people will be trying to get the building finished and ready to open. Please stay off any paths that are marked off with caution tape. This is for your own protection and for the protection of the workers."
Brinker said they also get questions about the hours of the parks and trails. "The parks and trails are open from dawn to dusk daily," he said. "We get questions from parents who worry that their children will be arrested if they are on the trail at sundown. The answer is probably not, not if they are on their way home. Again, we ask that people use common sense. When the sun sets, you should be on your way to your final destination. The trails are not lit. By the time twilight comes, visibility becomes a problem and people could have accidents. It's for the safety of our citizens that we close the parks and trails when we do."
Brinker added that they have had to institute a "no wheels" zone at Franklin Park. "From 5 to 10 p.m. during ball games, we've had to prohibit bicycles, skateboards, and scooters from behind the concession stand at the teenage boys' ball diamond and the bridge. We're getting traffic backups around that area and it is becoming dangerous for everyone. We need to keep traffic moving. Please help us keep the parks safe," he added.
Additional information about the parks system, which includes the trails, can be found on the town's website, www.townofplainfield.com.
