Have you heard about our Get Outdoors campaign! Not sure what we are talking about? No worries! We’ll tell you all about it. We are encouraging residents all over Blackford County to get outdoors and enjoy the great things that our county has to offer. Why are we doing this? Because enjoying our green spaces and attending local events is good for you! It’s good for you mentally, emotionally, and physically. Not sure how to get started? Well, we’ve got you covered. We’ll be sharing ideas and inspiration on our social media and blog pages for the next year, so be sure to follow us on our Facebook page.
Are you looking for fun summer activities in Blackford County? Whether you are from Hartford City, Upland, Montpelier, or somewhere in between, we have compiled a list of summer activities you can enjoy! There is something for everyone on this list.
1. Ready, Set, Shoot
What’s Indiana known for? Basketball of course! Grab your sneakers, basketball, and a few friends, then head out for a pick-up game. Bring one friend or a group to enjoy a basketball game at Waterworks Park. A full game is not your thing? That’s OK! Here are a couple of other games you might enjoy:
- Knock-out
- Around the World
- H-O-R-S-E
- Musical Basketballs
- Sharks and Minnows
- Basketball Tag
Don’t forget to share photos or selfies of your game with us. We can’t wait to see them. Using the hashtag #getoutdoorsbc share them to our Facebook page.
2. Catch a Ride
Do you like riding a bike minus the actual peddling part? We get it. How about leaving the peddling to someone else? That sounds like a brilliant idea! Catch a pedicab ride at the Blackford Greenway. Have grandchildren? The pedicab is an ideal place to catch up on life from a 3-year-old’s perspective. Pedicabs are perfect for the young and old, and every age in between. If you are interested in scheduling a pedicab ride, go to the Blackford Greenway Facebook page. For our nature lovers, check out these nature guides.
3. Who Doesn’t Love Breadsticks
This is one of our favorite summer activities in Blackford County! Are you starving after a long day of working outside? Fill your craving for some carbs with breadsticks and cheese at the Little League Complex. Fun fact, Indiana has a reputation for eating breadsticks with nacho cheese, but that’s not a thing in our border state Ohio. Weird but true. In Indiana, if we have breadsticks, we want them with nacho cheese! Come for the breadsticks and stay for a baseball game. Cutting out carbs or gluten? Don’t worry. They have other menu options.
4. Tiptoe Through the Wildflowers
Get it? Our title is a play on Tiptoe Through The Tulips by Tiny Tim. Well, some of us may be old enough to remember that song. You know what? Forget tulips. Wildflowers are where it’s at, and summer is the right time to tiptoe through Wilderness Park Prairie!
Do you enjoy a relaxed nature walk? Or are you a bird-watching buff? Or are you possibly a plant lover? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to visit Wilderness Park Prairie Restoration. Just kidding, stay on the path but still check out the flowers! Take a short walk or pack a lunch and stay for a couple of hours. The beauty of the park in the summer never disappoints. If you want to learn more about the Wilderness Park Prairie Restoration, read this article in Positively Blackford by Stephen McCullum.
5. Brown Bag Lunch
Do you remember your first elementary school field trip? One of the most exciting parts of the day was opening our special packed brown bag lunch! Recreate the experience by enjoying lunch with friends at the Wyler Park picnic tables. A picnic in Wyler Park could also be a cheap family-friendly activity. Get Outdoors with the people you love most this summer. Need some fun lunch ideas? Check out our list below.
6. Summer Reading List
Is there a book you have been putting off reading this spring? Was completing a reading list one of your New Year’s resolutions? We have the perfect summer activity in Blackford County for you! Get your summer reading done at the Blackford County Public Library Park. The park is the ideal place to take your kids. It’s completely free, and you can soak up the sun while your kids enjoy playing outside. If you don’t have a summer reading list, check out our suggestions below!
- Mickey 7 by Edward Ashton (sci-fi)
- The Maid by Nita Prose (mystery/thriller)
- The Horsewoman by James Patterson (action/adventure)
- I Came By This Way to Meet You by Jami Attenberg (memoir)
- None but The Righteous by Chantal James (non-fiction)
7. Play Eye Spy
Are you planning on attending the 4-H parade? We have the perfect game for you and your family. Play eye spy during the 4-H parade this year. Sometimes, kids can get squirmy during parades, at least when they aren’t throwing candy. Every year we can count on the parade featuring locally-owned beautiful horses. Take this opportunity to spend time with your children or those around you during the parade by playing eye spy on your favorite 4-H parade horse.
8. Walk 10,000 Steps
If you have a job where you sit all day, it can be hard to get in the recommended 10,000 steps. Sometimes we need extra encouragement to get those steps in. Well, we have a challenge for you this year! Do you think you are up for the challenge? Getting outdoors doesn’t always involve going to a park or visiting a nature reserve. Instead, go shopping! Grab a few of your closest friends and visit every booth at the Arts Place Summerfest. The goal is to walk 10,000 steps for the day. Visit all the local artisans and say hello to people you know. Don’t forget to take a few selfies and, using the hashtag #getoutdoorsbc share them on our Facebook page.
Get More Information
We hope that you enjoy our list of summer activities in Blackford County. If you do any of these activities, make sure to take a picture and tag us on Facebook with the hashtag #getoutdoors. For those who don’t already follow us, check out our social media! Get more fun tips and suggestions for getting outdoors by reading articles on our blog.
