The summer festival of Fishers has a long history.  The Fishers Freedom Festival began in 1989 as first a one-day, then in the second year a two-day weekend event before the 4th of July.  Once the city stopped funding the nonprofit group that ran the Freedom Festival, it was replaced by the city-run Spark Fishers Festival (the marketing of the event shows it as Spark!Fishers).

Just a few weeks ago, the city said the Spark Festival would move to the week before Labor Day, likely to ensure COVID would be under better control.  Now, with vaccinations ramping up, Fishers has announced plans to have the Spark Fishers Festival at its normal time on the calendar and expand the celebration to a week-long event.

Last year’s Spark Fishers Festival went the way of most such events in 2020, cancelled due to the pandemic.  So the announcement that the city is planning the festival in 2021 is good news.

For more details, see the information below, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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The annual Spark!Fishers festival, ignited by First Internet Bank, will return to Fishers’ Nickel Plate Cultural District this summer. Kicking off on Tuesday, June 22 and running through Saturday, June 26, the weeklong festival will offer different ways for the community to celebrate each day. This year’s theme, Hometown Heroes, will honor the Fishers residents who have served our country and our community, from the U.S. Armed Forces to the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re excited to host these popular summer traditions to bring our community back together after a difficult year,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. “Our team is coming together to make sure we’re providing a COVID-safe environment while giving our residents a little bit of normalcy. Spark!Fishers is truly a celebration of our community and there’s nothing else I’d rather see than everyone back together again.”

Last year’s festival was cancelled due to COVID-19, and as vaccination adoption increases and cases decline in Fishers, Fishers Parks plans a full slate of summer events such as the Fishers Farmers’ Market, Summer Concert Series, and Spark!Fishers with safety as top of mind.

The patriotic celebration will be packed full of family-favorites and Independence Day traditions, while showcasing what it means to be uniquely Fishers.

“First Internet Bank was happy to learn the Spark!Fishers celebration was returning this year,” said David Becker, President and CEO of First Internet Bank. “As we move closer to the completion of our new headquarters in the Nickel Plate District of Fishers, this is a special opportunity that allows us to celebrate with our neighbors and support the community.”

The 2021 lineup includes:

Tuesday, June 22 / 7-9 p.m.
Tuesday Night Concert at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater (band yet to be announced)

Wednesday, June 23 / 7 p.m.
5K Walk/Run around downtown Fishers, hosted by the Geist Half Marathon & Fishers YMCA
Registration opens April 1.

Thursday, June 24 / 6-9 p.m.
Spark!Fishers Car & Art Show around the Municipal Complex

Friday, June 25 / 8-10 p.m.
Friday Night Concert at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater (band yet to be announced)

Saturday, June 26 / 3-10 p.m.
Spark!Fishers Street Fair around the Municipal Complex, with a community parade at 6 p.m. and fireworks at dusk

Applications are now open for festival vendors, entertainers, and parade participants at sparkfishers.com. Applications are due May 1.

Visit sparkfishers.com and follow @SparkFishers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for festival news and updates.