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CITY OF CARMEL NEWSLETTER - Aug. 15, 2025 |
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Carmel Fire and Police and other City of Carmel teams will join local, state and federal public safety agencies to engage and educate the public on safety and emergency preparedness. Each year, this event draws crowds with interactive activities for all ages.
Saturday, Aug. 16
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
11611 N. Meridian St.
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Rain on Main kicks off today!
The 11th annual Rain on Main event, a popular painted rain barrel contest and auction, kicks off today with a display of 20 decorated barrels in the Carmel Arts & Design District.
The barrels will remain along Main Street through the following week until they are relocated to the Carmel Farmers Market on Saturday, Aug. 23. The map below shows the location of each rain barrel. To view a larger version of the map, click on the image or here.
Read the full news release to learn more about Rain on Main, how you can cast your vote for the "People's Choice" winner and join the online auction to win the rain barrel of your choice to have at home.
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This map shows the location of each Rain on Main barrel in the Arts & Design District.
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TOWNE ROAD UPDATES (weather- and progress-permitting):
We’re happy to share that the roundabouts at 106th, 116th and Main streets are complete and open to traffic.
- 126th Street is expected to open on or after Aug. 20
- 136th Street closes on or after Aug. 21
- Glebe Street is expected to open on or after Aug. 25
- Towne Road Bridge over I-465 is an INDOT project that has an expected completion of early 2026
COLLEGE AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION
North College Avenue will be opening southbound from 106th Street to 96th Street, the week of Aug. 18 while contractors will conduct work in the northbound lane of College Avenue.
NEWS FROM HAMILTON COUNTY HIGHWAY
The Hamilton County Highway Department is responsible for all roads, bridges and small structures (less than 20-foot span) within Hamilton County which are not state highways and which are not within the corporate limits of a city or town.
146TH STREET AND HAZEL DELL
Beginning on or after Monday, Aug. 18, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., drivers should expect lane restrictions for subsurface utility locates. One lane each direction will remain open at a minimum. The estimated completion date is Friday, Aug. 22.
126TH STREET BRIDGE REHABILITATION
126th Street between Brookshire Parkway and Royce Court is closed for bridge rehabilitation with an expected completion date of mid-late October.
Local traffic will continue to have access to their homes, while thru traffic is asked to utilize the posted detour of Keystone Parkway – 131st Street – Gray Road.
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Carmel Utilities repeals boil water advisory
in West Carmel: no contamination in system
On Wednesday, Aug. 13, Carmel Utilities lifted the boil water advisory for West Carmel that was in effect due to loss of pressure on a primary water main on Monday, Aug. 11.
“As anticipated, the test results came back absent for any bacteriological contamination in our system,” says Lane Young, director of Carmel Utilities. “We trust this result gives our customers confidence in our system and the safe water we provide for their use."
The advisory affected residents within the boundaries of the Hamilton County border to the west, 146th Street to the north, 96th Street to the south, and U.S. 31 and College Avenue to the east.
Read the City's full special announcement at this link.
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The Carmel Climate Action Committee is tasked with advising and making recommendations regarding the implementation of the Carmel Climate Action Plan (CAP). Strategy PE-1 of the CAP involves public education about sustainability and the environment. This section of the newsletter helps to meet this goal by providing useful information, tips and resources for residents.
The month of August's focus is "Importance of Solar Energy." Click here or on the box above to take the Smart Irrigation Quiz and be entered in a drawing for a digital rain gauge.
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Hamilton County offers free native plants after invasive removal
The Hamilton County Invasives Partnership (HIP) and the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) are teaming up to help residents restore their landscapes—one tree at a time. Through the Invasive Species Trade-In Program, property owners who remove invasive plants from their Hamilton County properties are eligible to receive free native plants from the SWCD’s fall native sale.
To learn more about the program details and how to apply, this link takes you to Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District's news release.
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On the big screen in Midtown Plaza
Enjoy a movie on the big screen each week in Midtown Plaza. Thank you to our sponsor, Allied Solutions, for making this fan-favorite series possible!
"Raya and the Last Dragon"
Tuesday, Aug. 19, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 21, noon and 6 p.m.
This link takes you to the full movie schedule.
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Bike Carmel presented by IU Health, encourages everyone to participate in events for all ages and all levels of comfort on two wheels.
Friday, Aug. 22: Coffee on the Monon
Bike Carmel has partnered with the Carmel Caffeine Trail to encourage and thank bicycle commuters for riding to work. Stop by Midtown Plaza from 6:30 - 9 a.m. and enjoy a complimentary coffee and light snack provided by Just Love Coffee Cafe.
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Saturday, Sept. 13: Roundabout Ride
Join us for Bike Carmel’s Roundabout Ride, starting and ending at Midtown Plaza. Choose a 25-mile or 50-mile route, both showcasing Carmel’s bike-friendly streets and scenic views.
Register for the Roundabout Ride at this link.
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'Butterflies on the Monon' unveiling
Join the City of Carmel as we formally unveil 14 brand-new mosaic butterflies created by local artist Nancy Keating — with a little help from the community!
These colorful works of art now grace the wall of Midtown Flats, facing the Monon Greenway, adding to the very first butterfly installed in 2023. Each piece is a product of Keating’s community chip-in events, where neighbors and visitors helped bring the vision to life.
Friday, Aug. 22
1:30 p.m.
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Brews on the Boulevard returns!
The City of Carmel is hosting its fourth annual Brews on the Boulevard event, presented by Allied Solutions on Saturday, Aug. 23 from 5 - 9 p.m. in Midtown Plaza and along the Monon Boulevard.
Breweries from across the state will be serving unlimited samples of beer with the purchase of a tasting ticket. Sample selections from each brewery with the opportunity to purchase items directly from your favorites. Local food vendors will be present and there will be live entertainment on two stages.
Read the full news release at this link.
New this year: DORA at Brews!
Carmel recently launched its Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) and it will be in effect during Brews on the Boulevard.
This means you can enjoy alcoholic beverages outdoors within the defined DORA boundaries—but only if they’re in a DORA-designated cup or official event sample glass. Look for signage and stay within the permitted area as you sip and stroll through Midtown. Cheers to a more walkable, fun-filled event experience!
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We love our volunteers!
Whether you're looking to make a difference on your own, with a friend, or as part of a larger group, there are an array of events that cater to different interests and schedules. Volunteers are crucial in making our community events successful and we appreciate your commitment to supporting Carmel.
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Carmel Connections
Carmel's community is made up of so many fantastic people. From our retail partners in our many districts to teachers, students, artists and good neighbors.
Mayor Finkam recently met with Cynthia Compton, owner of MacArthur Books in the Village of WestClay. Compton, whose store opened in 2023, says that "one of the really cool things about bookstores is that they naturally lend themselves to becoming third spaces in our community. They are a place where people of all ages and all interests can come and really just browse and just be."
You can enjoy the mayor's conversation with Cynthia Compton at this link.
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Founders Park is closed and is expected to reopen by Oct. 31, 2025 as Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation begins some exciting improvements.
Learn more at this link.
Carmel Lions Club
89th Annual Fish Fry
Aug. 15 & 16
141 E. Main St.
This link takes you to the Lions Club event page.
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Click on the image to view a larger version.
The Woomblies
Wednesday, Aug. 20
7 - 9 p.m.
Carmel International Arts Festival
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 & 28
Impact your community and volunteer at this year's Carmel International Arts Festival. For more information, this link takes you to CIAF's news release.
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Carmel VFW POST 10003 to host inaugural military ball
Carmel VFW Post 10003 is hosting an inaugural Military Ball and would like to cordially invite the community to join them for a spectacular evening and event. While this event was originally reserved for military and Gold Star families, the VFW has generously opened it to the public with an invitation from a veteran or VFW member.
Saturday, Sept. 13, 5 p.m.
502 East Event Centre
502 E. Carmel Drive
Proceeds from this event will go towards the multi-faceted work that VFW Post 10003 does to support our local veterans.
This link takes you to the VFW's event website where you can learn more about the event, including sponsorship opportunities and ticket purchasing.
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Calling all creatives!
Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts invites Indiana-based artists, organizations to submit proposals for New Works
New Works is an initiative to promote and sustain local artists and arts communities by supporting the creation of new works in various disciplines.
A panel of judges will select one winner in the visual arts and three winners in the performing arts, which can include music, dance, theater and other fields. The four winning proposals will receive $2,500 each to create and premiere the works during a livestreamed public event May 30 in Allied Solutions Center’s Tarkington theater. The winning visual arts piece, which can be two- or three-dimensional, will be displayed for one year in the main lobby of the Payne & Mencias Palladium concert hall.
The submission deadline is Friday, Sept. 12 at 11:59 p.m. Further details and application instructions are available at this link.
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Carmel has much to offer in the way of the performing arts. From world-class venues like The Palladium to more intimate theatres like The Cat. For details about all performances, be sure to visit the websites listed below.
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City Council - Monday, Aug. 18, 6 p.m.
Plan Commission - Tuesday, Aug. 19, 6 p.m.
Board of Public Works - Wednesday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m.
All public meetings take place in the Council Chambers in City Hall, unless otherwise indicated. Public meetings are broadcast live on Carmel TV and YouTube.
To view archived Government Meetings with Closed Captioning, visit the City's video archives.
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About the City of Carmel, Indiana
A thriving community acclaimed for its distinct amenities, robust business environment and excellent schools, the City of Carmel was named the #2 Best Place to Live in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. Highly regarded by its residents as a safe community offering an exceptional quality of life, Carmel is home to an award-winning parks system and a wealth of cultural options. Carmel is built for big dreams. Find out more at www.carmel.in.gov.
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