Indianapolis Colts fans can meet football players, cheerleaders and listen to a free concert by Oscar nominee and Anderson native Jon McLaughlin during the Fan Fest planned for 5 p.m. Friday, June 6, at the Anderson Town Center at 12th and Meridian streets.
The day also offers the annual YMCA Strawberry Fair, which is set for 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the YMCA next to the downtown plaza.
The fair offers strawberries, homemade shortcake, vanilla ice cream, hot dogs, barbecue sandwiches and nachos and cheese.
Tickets for strawberries, shortcake, ice cream and drink are $5 at the YMCA through June 5.
Under the direction of Strawberry Fair mainstay Margaret Heitz, a large group of volunteers from the Y, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and First Presbyterian Church will hull and slice 60 flats of strawberries the day before the fair.
Then, the large commercial ovens at First Presbyterian turn out more than 50 pans of shortcake.
Pay Less / Kroger donates the strawberries and Prairie Farms dairy provides the ice cream as a donation to support youth programs at the Y.
It’s 28 years for the strawberry fair and 25 for the Colts.
The Fan Fest will make seven stops around the states of Indiana and Kentucky. The fest celebrates the 25th season of Indianapolis Colts football and the grand opening of Lucas Oil Stadium.
Fans may also participate in the “Books for Youth”
book drive by donating new or gently used children’s books, register their kids for the Colts Kids Club, register-to-win tickets to a Colts preseason game, pick up free Colts giveaways and experience the re-designed Colts In Motion traveling museum.
The United Way of Madison County and the Anderson Family YMCA will be offering refreshments during the event.
The United Way of Madison County will be offering snacks and soft drinks. All refreshment proceeds benefit nonprofit organizations through the United Way of Madison County.
“We really appreciate the ongoing relationship between the NFL and the United Way, and we especially appreciate the Colts for including us in their success,”
said Nancy Vaughan, president of United Way of Madison County.
“What better way to bring Colts fans together than with a festival like environment and a free concert with, Hoosier native and national recording artist, Jon McLaughlin,”
said Tom Zupancic, vice president of sales and marketing for the Indianapolis Colts, in a press release.
“We provide hundreds of free events for our fans every year. Colts Fan Fests is our way of giving back to our fans and to thank them for their continued support. We want our fans all across the state to be able to touch the Colts franchise in their own backyards,”
said Zupancic.
