Newfields Harvest Festival
Fall. Here in the Midwest, it’s one of the greatest times of the year—not because the long-awaited PSL is back, but because we have direct access to a bounty of local, homegrown goodness. And this year, Newfields is tapping into all the region has to offer by holding its inaugural Harvest festival.
“The Indianapolis community has embraced Spring Blooms and Winterlights with open arms, and we are pleased to debut Harvest, another seasonal celebration highlighting Newfields’ recently announced Culinary Arts Department,” said Charles L. Venable, The Melvin & Bren Simon Director and CEO. “Newfields strives to curate new ways for our community to have exceptional experiences with art and nature, and Harvest will perfectly combine the two.”
The food-centered event features demonstrations and workshops by some of the city’s most talented culinary artists including chefs, brewers, distillers and artisans. But this not-to-miss event didn’t just come together overnight—it took a lot of time, and a lot of hard work to create the four-day festival. The planning aspect was a huge commitment and, says Director of Culinary Arts for Newfields, Josh Ratliff, designing Harvest was a lengthy process that included visiting other cities, asking questions, and ultimately listening to what people want.
“We wanted to create something for the foodies and multi-generational groups,” he said of the overall Harvest concept. “When people ask what Harvest has, we want people to say ‘it has everything’.”
And everything, is exactly what it does have.
“Besides the culinary aspect,” says Public Relations Manager Mattie Wethington, “there’s a 400-bale hay maze, pumpkin painting, outdoor films, live music, and we’re building a pumpkin covered bridge over a river of naturally blue pumpkins.” In other words, there’s fun for the whole family and then some.
50 ACRES OF FUN FOR EVERYONE
Created with grant funds received from the Lilly endowment, Harvest promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience for everyone from the self-proclaimed foodie to the home chef to the every-day cook and more. Different than the typical foodie-type shows where you roam from area to area, Harvest has planned for a centralized demo tent where local culinary talent will perform food demos on the hour. Not only will you be able to sample some of their creations, but you’ll also have an opportunity to interact directly with chefs, brewers and horticulturists alike.
Of course being that a big part of Harvest is the food, there is a more formalized event planned. Friday evening there’s a seven-course meal complete with a champagne toast and guided tour of the IMA galleries. Throughout the dinner, guests will also enjoy performances by a spoken-word artist, dancers from the Indianapolis Ballet, and a solo acoustic musician.
And, in addition to exceptional food offerings, Newfields and The Brewers of Indiana Guild are collaborating to bring 21 and older guests dozens of local beers and ciders as well as a Sun King Brewing Co. covered beer hall, and an Oliver Winery and West Fork Whiskey Co. pavilion—so you won’t miss your PSL.
For more on Harvest and to purchase tickets, visit their website, DiscoverNewfields.org.
NEWFIELDS
4000 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis
DiscoverNewfields.org
HARVEST FESTIVAL OCTOBER 3-6
Hours: THURS 4-9 p.m.
FRI and SAT 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
SUN 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets:
Members $5 online, $10 onsite
Public $20 online, $25 onsite
children 6-17 $12
Children 5 and under, free
Reservations and more information on the seven-course meal
Reservations and more information on Sunday’s buffet-style brunch
HARVEST FEATURED LOCAL CHEFS:
- Abbi Merriss of Bluebeard
- Talent from Milktooth and Beholder
- Steve Oakley of Oakleys Bistro
- Corey McDaniel of Food Architect.com
- Tyler Herald, executive chef of Patachou Inc.
- Jason Michael Thomas
- Esteban Rosas of Black Market
- Ian Phillips of Three Carrots
- Braedon Kellner of Tinker Street
- Chefs from Mimi Blue Meatballs
Additionally, smoke-master Allan Benton from Madisonville, TN; Vinson Petrillo from Charleston, SC; Jill Vedaa from Cleveland, OH; Greg Biggers from Chicago, and other well-known regional chefs will also be offering eat and learn demonstrations throughout the four-day festival.
