By Melissa Narlock—
MUNCIE, IN — The wait is over. Muncie Downtown Development Partnership has announced the highly anticipated return of the sizzling summer streetfest. Fire Up DWNTWN, presented by Ivy Tech Muncie, is back on August 5. After a resounding success last year, drawing over 11,000 visitors, the all-day event returns with even more exhilarating attractions.
“As we look back on the incredible success of last year’s Fire Up DWNTWN, we are thrilled to announce its return this summer,” said Cheryl Crowder, event director for Muncie Downtown Development Partnership. “Building on the tremendous support and enthusiasm from our community, we’ve worked on bringing new events and attractions for everyone to enjoy.”
The event site opens at 1 p.m. August 5 in the streets of downtown Muncie between Main Street and Canan Commons and High Street to Mulberry Street. From engaging activities, heart-pounding music, exciting attractions to captivating hot air balloons, Fire Up DWNTWN is designed to be fun for all ages. There is no entry fee.
Two new thrilling attractions will be offered. Attendees will have the chance to race against the best drivers on the world’s only full-size NASCAR simulator, and step into a virtual reality 360 experience in the E-Motion Matrix Simulator. These events will be ticketed at $10 each. Tethered balloon rides will also be available at Canan Commons and The Clubhouse Muncie from 7-10 pm at $20 per person.
Ample parking options will make it easy for everyone to join in on the fun. Event parking will be available in the Northwest Bank parking lot at the corner of Mulberry and Charles Streets, all Ivy Tech’s lots on Franklin Street, First Merchants Bank parking lot at the corner of Jefferson and Main Street, the city parking garage, and any public City of Muncie lot along High and Mulberry Street.
This year, there’s double the number of vendors, offering a diverse array of crafts, food specials, and unique products for visitors to check out. Barbecue ribs, spicy drinks, and a selection of downtown restaurant favorites will be offered from food vendors and local restaurants. Patrons will have the opportunity to explore exclusive specials and engaging activities courtesy of downtown merchants and other vendors.
Families can enjoy The HotSpot Children’s Area featuring hot air balloon twinkle baskets with burners, a dunk tank, a children’s train, and other interactive activities. Craft vendors, raku pottery, forgers, iron workers, and other displays will be available all along the downtown sidewalks.
Live musical performances will be back in Canan Commons, the DJ Stage at 100 Block of Walnut, and the Freaky Tiki Stage outside of Casa Mexican Grill. The Muncie Police and Muncie Firefighters will return to compete in a rib eating contest, water ball contests, and an MRAP Pull. Among the competitions will be a spicy pepper eating contest.
Beginning in the early evening, 4 hot air balloons will fly over Canan Commons and 7 special shape hot air balloons will inflate in various parking lots and surrounding locations. At dusk, the special shape hot air balloons will perform a 90-minute glow show to music with the event culminating in a blazing fireworks finale.
Vicki Veach, Fire Up DWNTWN coordinator said, “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our sponsors, whose unwavering belief and support have been instrumental in enabling Fire Up DWNTWN to happen again this year. Their invaluable contributions have allowed us to host this exciting event for the community at no charge for entry.”
The presenting sponsor is Ivy Tech Muncie; Special Shape balloons are sponsored by: 3 Rivers Federal Credit Union, Starocket Media, Intersection, JohnTom’s Barbeque, Wealth Strategies Inc., The Star Press, and Woof Boom Radio.
Attraction sponsors are: First Merchants Bank, Busch Light, Nash FM 102.5, The Clubhouse Muncie, Muncie Visitors Bureau, The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, Lamar Advertising, Ruoff Mortgage, MITS, and Great Grizzly Boomer’s Factory Direct Fireworks. Other generous contributors who donated their resources to make this opportunity possible are the Ball Brothers Foundation, the Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler Foundation, and 1925 Pubhouse.
Veach added, “It has something for everyone, and everyone’s invited. Mark your calendars for August 5 and stay tuned for further updates in the upcoming week. Prepare for a sizzling sensation.”
Find out all the details about Fire Up DWNTWN’s activities, parking map, and more at: www.downtownmuncie.org/fireup.
About Muncie Downtown Development Partnership
Muncie Downtown Development Partnership’s roots go as far back as 1983. Its mission is: to create a downtown environment that results in sustainable economic and cultural growth. It does this, in part, by uniting the community through the common love of living, working, and playing DWNTWN. www.downtownmuncie.org
