Lizards, musical festivals and shrimp boils among things to do in Tri-State this weekend

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Looking for something to do this weekend? Here's a list of things to do in the Tri-State this weekend. 

Thursday 

Romp Fest 2021

Sept. 15-18, Yellow Creek Park, Day or 4-Day passes can be purchased at rompfest.com

This four-day bluegrass and roots music festival is kicking off, with onsite camping, artist-led workshops, food trucks, arts and crafts and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring instruments to jam out with performers or other budding artists. 

Artists include: Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Robert Earl Keen, Sam Bush, The Infamous Stringdusters, Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange), Dan Tyminski, We Banjo 3, The Lil Smokies, Balsam Range, Town Mountain, Blue Highway, The Price Sisters, Wolfpen Branch, Full Cord Bluegrass, Mama Said String Band, Hot Brown Smackdown, The Josephines and Giri & Uma Peters.

More:UE program dedicated to getting more COVID vaccinations to Latinx community

Friday

Harvest of Quilts: Quilt and Craft Show

Sept. 17 and 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Old National Events Plaza, $10 admission ticket, Under 12 Free

Raintree Quilters Guild's annual quilt show will showcase more than 200 handcrafted quilts, home décor and Christmas items as well as feature a silent auction and a raffle for gift baskets. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

'Nunsense'

Sept. 17-19, 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Evansville Civic Theatre, Tickets are $15 (plus a processing fee)

Musical comedy "Nunsense" is about a convent of nuns hosting a fundraiser to bury other members of the order who recently died from botulism in an unfortunate cooking accident. Tickets are available at evvcivic.org or by phone at 812-425-2800.

Saturday

Kunstfest

9 a.m. Saturday through 5 p.m. Sunday, Downtown New Harmony

This celebration of German heritage and art is one of the biggest of its kind in Indiana. Kunst, meaning art in German, is one of the highlights of the festival featuring artists from across the region showcasing and selling their creations. 

The festival also features entertainment, food and learning opportunities. Food will include German and festival favorites such as bratwurst, kraut balls, kuchen, apple cider, chicken and dumplings, German potato salad, brain sandwiches, fried bologna, ice cream, kettle corn and more. Entertainment will include dulcimer players, bluegrass, polka and some German Folk Music genres.

The Big Whopper Liars Contest is at Murphy Auditorium Saturday with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the contest beginning at 7 p.m. There will be children's activities at the family stage at Maclure Square. Historical craft demonstrations including blacksmithing, rope making, pottery, weaving, spinning and more will be at the festival as well.

Parking will be available at the Atheneum visitor’s center, as well as the former location of the New Harmony School and with shuttles taking visitors to and from the festival.

Fun & Games

10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Roberts Park, entry fee is $30 per person, register at evansvilleparksfoundation.org/fun-games/ 

Grab your friends, neighbors, family members, etc. and make a team of up to six and join Fun & Games. Teams will compete in interactive challenges and games stationed around the park. The teams can be a mix of any age and ability level. Some challenges will be activities for one person and other challenges will require the entire team to complete it. Teams can enter to win a drawing for a prize after completing the challenges. There will be food and ice cream trucks there as well. All proceeds benefit the Evansville Parks Foundation.

More:Country music icon George Strait to visit Evansville

Chili Pet Fest 2021 and Vaccine Clinic

10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Vanderburgh County 4-H grounds

This fundraiser for Another Chance for Animals features chili and other goodies as well as a low-cost pet vaccine clinic. The clinic runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and chili sales 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Chili will be prepared by Courier & Press food writer and chef Aimee Blume and is available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  It is $5 for a 12 oz bowl or $15 for a bucket. Other food will be available. There is a silent auction as well.

Evansville Reptile and Exotics Show

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Vanderburgh 4H Center, Tickets are $5, Free for kids 4 and under

This family-friendly event showcases different lizards, birds, spiders, turtles and more for everyone to enjoy. It's also a great place for people to stock up on feeders and supplies for their pets. The Shriner Clowns will be there to provide balloon animals and entertainment for kids. Food and beverages will be available to purchase from local food trucks. 

Evansville Food Trucks Rock the Field

11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Bosse Field, Free

Come enjoy some of your favorite food trucks at historic Bosse Field.

More:Could COVID-19 vaccination be required at Evansville shows? Maybe, if the artist wants it

Low Country Boil and Brew

6 to 10 p.m., Audubon Mill Park, Tickets start at $50, 21+

The Downtown Henderson Partnership is hosting its first Low Country Boil to bring the southern tradition to downtown Henderson. Live music will be provided by Soul N the Pocket and beer will be provided by Henderson Brewing Co. The traditional menu includes crawfish, shrimp, kielbasa sausage, corn, boiled potatoes, and sides. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com/e/low-country-boil-tickets-166969900467.

Night on Main

7-11 p.m., 500 block of Main Street, Tickets are $10, 21+

In collaboration with Kevin’s Backstage Bar & Grill, the last of the Night on Main happens this weekend. Kevin's Backstage will be selling beverages and Lashbrooke’s BBQ and La Plaza Food Trucks will be serving food. Live music will be provided by Andy Brasher and the band McFly.

Monday

Willard Library's 'Better Books Book Sale' Fundraiser

Monday, Sept. 20 through Friday, Sept. 24 during regular library hours, Willard Library, all transactions must be made in cash or check. 

One of Willard Public Library's and The Friends of Willard Library's most significant fundraisers, the Better Books Book Sale, is Monday through Friday in The Browning Gallery in Willard Library's lower level.

This annual sale offers the public the opportunity to purchase books considered rare, antique and special collections. There will also be 1st Editions, High School and University Yearbooks and rare Stave Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles. Books will be individually priced to sell. Wednesday books will be half-price and Thursday and Friday bags of books will be available for $20 each.

Rayonna Burton-Jernigan covers diversity and culture-related topics and can be contacted at Rayonna.Burton-Jernigan@courierpress.com or (812) 454-1765.