LIFE

Celebrate America like a Hoosier

We've collected some great Indy-centric ways to celebrate America and its culture.

Joe Tamborello
joe.tamborello@indystar.com
Victory Field, the home of the Indianapolis Indians, made Baseball America's annual list of the top 25 Minor League Baseball ballparks.

Sure, there are fireworks tonight in Indianapolis, just like there will be in so many other cities across the United States to celebrate our independence. And plenty of people will fire up the grills, charring copious amounts of meat that will soon rest in Zantac-lined stomachs.

But, there are more ways to celebrate America today.

There are certain things that make Indiana special. And many of those things weave into the tapestry of Americana we celebrate today.

Here are just a few ways to celebrate as Hoosiers:

1. Eat off the floor at Victory Field.

Or maybe don't. Leave that to our Dana Benbow. Instead, just see the Indians take on Louisville at a facility named one of the best minor league baseball parks in the nation.

The Indians' fireworks show is scheduled to launch between the conclusion of the evening's game against the Louisville Bats and the downtown Freedom Blast.

2. America loves its sports. Indiana loves its high school basketball.

Shoot some hoops today, or relive great moments in Hoosier Hysteria with this Retro Indy gallery.

The 1990 IHSAA basketball finals moved to the then-Hoosier Dome. A national-record high school crowd of 41,046 was in attendance.

3. Visit a few of Indy's impressive federal monuments.

Indianapolis is second only to Washington, D.C., in the number of monuments dedicated to veterans and lost war heroes. We wouldn't be where we are today without them.

It is said that Victory, atop the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Monument Circle, looks to the south to watch over the dead soldiers or to warn the south "never again".

4. Not grilling? Eat one of Indy's best burgers.

If you don't feel like waiting for the charcoal to heat up, check out one of these places around Indy and fill yourself with American beef.

Jeff's Double Cheeseburger, $8.25 The Barking Dog Cafe, 115 E. 49th St. Why try it: Crispy edges. Special sauce. It's seriously good. And the single is just as tasty (but a little more modest). If you've had any of these burgers, this is probably the one -- after all Guy Fieri featured the place on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives."

5. Listen to these 10 bands from Indiana.

Once you've played John Cougar Mellencamp's "Scarecrow" all the way through twice (he still included "Cougar" in 1985), check out Party Lines, Street Spirits or these eight other Indiana acts.

Indiana's Sweet Poison Victim.

6. Visit classic taverns, the likes of which you won't find outside Indy.

Throw back an American-made beer at one of these Indy haunts. One may actually be haunted.

Would you rather stay home and drink Indiana craft beer — or perhaps head straight to the locally brewed source? Check out our Central Indiana Craft Beer Directory.

Indianapolis Star Beverage Reporter Amy Haneline (left) cheers on reporter Will Higgins as he drinks a 16-ounce Budweiser at The Workingman's Friend Restaurant and Bar.


If you are looking for fireworks and the traditional Fourth of July revelry, we have you covered there. Check out the guide below.

Joe Tamborello is an engagement producer at IndyStar. Follow him on Twitter at @joetamborello or send him an email at joe.tamborello@indystar.com.