Riley Festival: A Greenfield, Indiana Tradition

The Riley Festival in Greenfield, Indiana is one of the most popular annual festivals in all of Indiana. Conceived to honor the life of famous Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley, this colorful Greenfield event stretches over four days of summer at its best and has been a yearly event for over 60 years and attracts visitors to the small Indiana town from miles around.

The Riley Festival has evolved into a crafts event par excellence, featuring everything from down-home Hoosier quilts to decorated pumpkin shows. Live Greenfield music and special events are always programmed during the festival, which is admission-free to one and all.

One of the favorite offerings of the Riley Festival is the big “Americana Riley Festival Parade,” with scores of residents in participation. A couple of other great traditions are the “J.W. Riley Breakfast” and the delightful Children’s Parade of Flowers.

This last is highly appropriate, since Riley, who was born in Greenfield, Indiana, is known as one of the most beloved children’s poets ever to have been published in America. In fact, Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis is named after him. Flowers, especially marigolds, are lovingly carried and placed by children around Riley’s monument on the town square lawn.

Marching bands, special events and vendors galore all contribute to the reason why the Riley Festival attracts thousands every year from all over the state.

More information about James Whitcomb Riley can be found in the famous Indianapolis people section of FunCityFinder.com

Riley Festival
312 E Main St, Suite C
Greenfield, IN 46140
317.462.2141
Fax: 317.467.1449
http://www.rileyfestival.com/