Reasons Not to Miss the Indiana State Fair This Summer

There is always something going on in Indianapolis, and many of the events center around food and drinks. There are only a few months left in 2017, but that doesn't mean the fun is over; there are still many festivals and fun things to do before the year ends. Here are some delicious events still to come in 2017. The 5th Annual Pumpkin, Cider, and Fall Beer Festival On Saturday, Sept. 30th, Indianapolis will host the 5th Annual Pumpkin, Cider, and Fall Beer Festival in Opti-Park on East 66th Street. This fun event grows every year and features all kinds of food, beer, and fun. You can check out the more than 40 different pumpkin brews along with other fall beers, and make sure to get there to see the Elysian Great Pumpkin Road Show. You can also take part in the keg tosses, pumpkin painting, and even some pumpkin smashing along with many other activities. Tickets to the event are $35 in advance or $40 at the door, and designated drivers are just $5 at the door. The festival is for guests 21 years old and over. The Indianapolis Chinese Festival Experience Chinese culture at the 7th annual Indianapolis Chinese Festival. This event will take place in downtown Indianapolis at IUPUI's Wood Plaza. It takes place on Sept. 23rd, which is during the Chinese Moon Festival, one of the largest Chinese festivals. There will be all kinds of delicious Chinese food to eat along with music and dance performances. Visitors can watch or even take part in the famous lion and dragon dances, and explore the art exhibits. The festival runs from noon to 6 p.m. and ends with a beautiful lantern walk. more The Original and Fabulous GermanFest Celebrate everything German at the Original and Fabulous GermanFest on Oct. 14th starting at noon. This event takes place at the Athenaeum on East Michigan Street and has something for everyone. Try German food provided by the Indianapolis Sangerchor, and taste some German beer. There are also activities for the whole family, including live Wiener dog races, a strongman competition, and a 5K run/walk. The kids can head to ZwergenLand for fun activities designed just for them, or you can all browse through the Urban Flea market with over 100 vendors. Tickets range from $3 to $12, and you can buy them online or at the door. The Indy Winter Farmers Market You can still get your fresh fruit and vegetables in the winter at the Indy Winter Farmers Market. This market has over 40 vendors with locally grown and produced fruit, meat, dairy products, and vegetables along with herbs, flowers, and baked goods. It runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Circle City Industrial Complex from November through April. Make sure to check out these events and festivals to enjoy delicious food and drink along with fun activities. There is still time in 2017 to get out and enjoy Indianapolis and all it has to offer. Image via Publicdomainpictures.net

Whether you're taking a road trip or seeing a new part of town, driving on unfamiliar roads can be nerve-wracking. When you're in an unfamiliar place, consider the following tips to ensure you reach your destination safely. Slow Down Even if you're a speed demon on the highway, you should slow down on unfamiliar roads. Driving too fast can cause you to miss important road signs and landmarks. You could also come up too quickly on a speed bump and spill your beverage all over the interior cabin. No matter what, it's important that you maintain a safe stopping distance that's appropriate to your speed — the faster you drive, the longer the stopping distance. Consider the road's speed limit and maintain it or drive slightly slower so you won't miss anything. Use a Navigation System or Map Unless you've memorized the route ahead of time, having a GPS or handheld map on hand is essential in unfamiliar territory. Modern navigation systems like those found in many Chevrolet models are a great option because they provide turn-by-turn navigation. This feature helps you find out where to make your next turn without taking your eyes off the road. Having a backup printed map is also a smart idea if you're traveling in areas a GPS cannot locate, such as remote terrain. Activate OnStar If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar, now is the time to active it. OnStar provides an array of navigation and emergency services that can help you feel more confident while driving in unknown locations. The service calls for help when you need it, protects against vehicle theft, provides turn-by-turn navigation, and allows you to stay connected on the go with 4G LTE and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Even if you don't normally need OnStar, it's an essential tool for those long road trips where the chances of getting lost are greater than ever. more Listen to a Local Radio Station While you may have trouble switching over from your favorite satellite radio station, tuning into a local radio station can keep you updated on traffic conditions. Before your trip, research major radio stations along the route and note them in your phone or a small notepad. As you move from one city to another, you can switch over to the station with the most relevant traffic updates. Listening to the radio can also reduce stress while driving, so don't be afraid to turn up the volume and sing along! Bring a Friend Although this option isn't always available, the best driving tool to use in unknown territory is a friend who knows the route and can point the way. If neither of you have been on this road before and you don't have a GPS system, have your friend act as the navigator and a second set of eyes. Driving in unfamiliar territory can be intimidating, but it's also likely to create unforgettable memories of adventure. Consider your route ahead of time, take the proper precautions, and drive safely. Image via Wikipedia Commons used under Public Domain

The architecture in Columbus sets the city apart, with both historic and artistic modern buildings and structures. There are a number of enigmatic and practical designs spread all through the city, and anyone with a passion for how buildings are made will find these six places worth a visit. First Christian Church Constructed in 1942, this house of worship is one of the first churches in the United States built with a contemporary style. It features a perfectly rectangular clock tower over a building lined with columns of windows along the sides. The property is also home to Large Arch, a 20-foot-tall abstract sandcast bronze sculpture by Henry Moore. Across the street you'll find the Cleo Rogers Memorial Library, a charming brick building with many extended walls that first appear to be columns. Cummins Health Center Designed in 1973, this business was made to offer alternatives to common, industrial health care. The building was made with few interior walls, and much of the outer walls are designed in a special black glass that becomes transparent at night. This structure received an Honor award from the American Institute of Architects in 1976. Bartholomew County Jail Though few would expect it, this penitentiary for Indiana convicts with minimum sentences is downright beautiful. Lovely flower beds surround the jail, which has a criss-cross appearance with lots of white and tan topped by a transparent dome. While you'll never want to see the inside if you can help it, this structure sets an important precedent that care can go into the outward appearance of even the least desirable places to stay. more Inn at Irwin Gardens This Italianate home on stately property was built by Joseph I. Irwin, a Columbus businessman, in 1864. Though still one of the best examples of enduring historic architecture in the city, the Inn at Irwin Gardens also has an intriguing history of changes, since the building was enlarged and redesigned over the following decades. The site also houses a maze garden based on the Casa degli Innamorati. If you're after the most unforgettable hotel for a romantic getaway, look no further. North Christian Church Completed in 1964 by Eero Saarinen, this church has six sides and a sloped roof that joins to a 192-foot spire with a cross coated in gold leaf. The landscape and general site is also quite interesting, including a parking lot with rooms dedicated to sheltering vehicles. The Prall House In 1891, Charles F. Sparell designed this Queen-Ann-style home for dentist Will J. Prall, and it took until 1895 before the work was complete. The high brick chimney sticks out amid the cream-colored exterior and tower bedroom, and the ridges of the home's many roofs are lined with wrought-iron fencing, a fascinating touch that pulls the look together. These places should be a high priority for any Columbus visitor or resident in the architecture industry, or anyone with a general interest in the many ways buildings and properties can be designed, furnished, and landscaped. From churches to Columbus' towering post office, there's a lot to see if you go off your ordinary routine. Image "First Christian Church" via Flickr by hartjeff12 used under CC BY 2.0