• Founders Week Parade; Car Shows & Rock & Glow, June 22
• Plus: Trivia Night, Blood Drive, Ice Cream Social, Family Night and Roller Derby!
CHARLESTOWN, Ind. – The City of Charlestown is gearing up to celebrate Founders Week 2024 with a plethora of family-friendly events around the theme “Through the Decades.”
The annual celebration, presented by Ambassador Sponsor Pace Contracting, is slated for June 15-22, culminating with the Rock & Glow. Tethered hot air balloon rides (subject to weather conditions) and a nighttime illuminated balloon glow surround a stage filled with music on Saturday, June 22 from 6-11 p.m. at Charlestown Little League Park.
Sounds on the stage will come from a variety of genres, including country from Brady Evan at 6 p.m., blues infested rock with Pawnshop Guitar at 7 p.m. followed by headlining rockers The Mad Taxpayers at 9 p.m.
The event features a host of food trucks, kid-friendly activities, tethered balloon rides, and market vendors. Parking will be reserved at Charlestown High School, Pleasant Ridge Elementary, and the Family Activities Park with courtesy transportation to the event located at 152 Steve Hamilton Dr. Accessibility parking for those with a wheelchair will be at the event venue.
The week kicks off with the Pirate Dash 5K at Charlestown State Park on Saturday, June 15 at 8:30 a.m. Later in the evening on June 15, the Prince and Princess Pageant takes place at the Arts & Enrichment Center (999 Water Street). The pageant also features a Through The Decades Fashion Show, showcasing attire from various eras.
Back for 2024 is a Brick Building Clinic on Monday, June 17 for students ages 8-12. The event is already at capacity. The popular Trivia Night, a free event, takes place on Monday, June 17 at the A&E Center starting at 6 p.m. with prizes to the top two teams.
On Tuesday, June 18, the Moore Family Ice Cream Social and Gospel Singing offers tasty treats and soulful music to the Family Activities Park (1000 Park Street) from 6 to 9 p.m. The park will be open for free to utilize lively amenities.
Giving back is the spirit on Juneteenth as a Red Cross Blood Drive takes place at the A&E Center from noon to 4 p.m. A gut-busting time is expected at the Mystery Dinner Party, scheduled for Thursday, June 20 starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at www.CityofCharlestown.com.
Family Fun Night welcomes the Louisville Roller Derby team on Friday, June 21 to perform an exhibition match at 6:30 p.m. followed by a community skate jam at the Family Activities Park. The night at the park welcomes the energetic pop sounds of Top Shelf at The Depot. The park will be open for free!
In addition to the Rock & Glow on Saturday, June 22, the Founders Week Parade rolls from Charlestown High School to Market Street starting at 10 a.m. The annual Backyard Classics Car Show is featured at the City Square from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plus, there is a free amateur corn hole tournament at the Family Activities Park at 1 p.m.
To stay up-to-date on Founders Week events and details, visit www.CityofCharlestown.com or follow the city’s social media pages.