'$2 Tour of the Village' Returns Saturday, August 24th

By Michelle Kinsey—

MUNCIE — The “$2 Tour of the Village” returns Saturday, Aug. 24, from 3 to 7 p.m., on University Avenue between Calvert and Dill Streets.

Admission is free and the first 100 people through the gates will be given a $2 bill to spend on $2 items (t-shirts, goodie bags, food samples) from Village businesses.

This event, now in its fifth year, is hosted by the Riverside-Normal City Neighborhood Association (RNC), the Muncie Action Plan, and Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement. Sponsors include Fairmount Properties, Ball State University and RNC.

“We’re so excited to be hosting the 5th annual $2 Tour of the Village,” said Heather Williams, Associate Director for Community Engagement at Ball State University and Program Manager for Building Better Neighborhoods. “We started the event hoping to introduce students and residents to all that the Village has to offer and it’s grown so much over the last few years. This year is going to be a lot of fun and we can’t wait to see everyone on University Avenue on Aug. 24th.”

More than 50 vendor and organization booths will line the street, and Guardian Brewing Co. will have a tent in the middle of all the action selling local brews. There will be grassy areas with comfy seating and lawn games, a dunk tank (for charity), mechanical bull riding, a balloon artist (BOB’s Balloons), and a water play area.

Two stages will offer non-stop entertainment. On the WCRD East Stage, Free Joel and Jerry Barker & Friends will perform. On the West Stage, you’ll find Ball State University’s Code Red Dancers, the Shamaniacs Drum Troupe, a Hot Pepper Eating Contest, a Prince/Princess Dog Contest, Aerial Annex performance, dance demonstrations, DJ David Bond III, and more.

The first 500 attendees will receive $2 Tour Guides with Passports. Those with passports can have them stamped at designated Village businesses. Once the passports are filled, you will be eligible to win great prizes.

For more information, visit the $2 Tour of the Village Facebook event or muncieneighborhoods.org.