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The Big Ugly Burger at Bub's - Photo from their Website

For all the Man Vs. Food fans out there that are eager to get to Bub’s Burgers and take on the Big Ugly Burger – take note in the change in the operating hours:

First, both Bub’s Burgers and Bub’s Cafe’ will be closed for Labor Day (I think they need a much needed rest after selling 621 Big Uglies in one week!).

Next, beginning Tuesday, September 7, Bub’s Burgers hours will change to Sunday-Thursay, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Friday-Satuday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. The hours at Bub’s Cafe’ remains the same, Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Visit the website for further questions, BubsBurgersAndIceCream.com.

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Join in on the fun of Tour De Carmel

St.Vincent Tour de Carmel is a bike ride along 10-mile and 20-mile routes through Carmel. Along the ride, stop at any of our rest stops for a variety of healthy snacks, drinks and entertainment. After the ride is complete, you can join us at the finish line for more entertainment and refreshments. Pre-register online at www.carmelclayparks.com or pick up a form at the Monon Community Center. Day of event registrations will be accepted.

Check-in on event day is from 7:30 – 9 a.m.  Riders will not be allowed to begin the tour after 9 a.m. The course must be completed no later than noon. In case of inclement weather, this event will be cancelled.

Adaptive 10-mile Ride: This ride is for individuals with special needs only. Individuals will ride as a group on the 10-mile route. Staff will be staggered within the group throughout the ride. Group will meet at the Monon Community Center in the designated tent at the start line for check-in at  a.m. Group will begin the ride at 8:30 a.m. sharp. Contact Brooke at btaflinger@carmelclayparks.com or 317.573.5245.

Saturday, September 11

7:30 a.m. – Noon (Adaptive: 8 a.m. – Noon)

Fee: $6/person

Starting Location: Monon Community Center – East Parking Lot

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If you are already planning a weekend getaway to Hamilton County’s 8 Great Towns or want to take a last minute Indiana vacation, here are 8 Great Things to do in Hamilton County, Indiana this Labor Day weekend:

Conner Prairie Balloon Voyage, photo from CP's Flickr site

1. Gobble up a caramel dipped apple from the Apple Store at Conner Prairie – Open Tuesdays-Sundays, September 1 – October 31.

2. Shop ’til you drop at the Westfield Main Street Shoppes “End of Summer Sale” – Friday, September 3 – Monday, September 6.

3. Spend the weekend on the Prairie – after visiting the Apple Store, fly in the 1859 Balloon Voyage or stay for Symphony on The Prairie (last performance is this weekend) – Friday, September 3 – Sunday, September 5.

4. Gather on the Historic Noblesville Square for the monthly “First Fridays” celebration – Friday, September 3.

5. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic for the Jazz Squared musical performance in Noblesville – Friday, September 3.

6. Head to Verizon Wireless Music Center for the live performance from Kings of Leon – Friday, September 3.

7. All Aboard – take one of the many train rides offered this weekend – Pizza Plus Express, The Great Towns Train, Caboose Rides – Saturday, September 4 – Sunday, September 5.

8. Splash, float and swim the day away during the Splashtacular event at the Monon Center Waterpark in Carmel- Monday, September 6.

*For a complete listing of things do in Hamilton County, Indiana visit our online calendar at 8GreatTowns.com!

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Pinheads in Fishers - Photo from Pinheads Flickr Site


Hey all – join us on Facebook where we are currently having a contest to give out TWO (2) free games of bowling for up to EIGHT (8) people at Pinheads in Fishers. This coupon is valid at any time, but expires October 30, 2010.

Go to Facebook.com/8GreatTowns to enter to win- contest closes at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 1- must enter on Facebook to be eligible to win!

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As we have previously mentioned, we have Visitor Centers in Carmel, Noblesville & Fishers.  These centers are staffed by great Hamilton County and Central Indiana residents who offer advice, ideas, trip suggestions, directions, brochures and a broad knowledge base to those visiting Hamilton County, Indiana.  We recently asked them what they would do as a Hamilton County visitor – over the summer, I will be sharing their thoughts on the blog.  Enjoy!

Soft, warm, yummy bread is served at Matteo's Ristorante Italiano in Noblesville

Visitors Center Staffer, Deanna, was asked how she would spend a fun-filled foodie weekend in Hamilton County, Indiana:

After spending a luxurious night at the Renaissance Hotel in Carmel, I would enjoy a special breakfast of “world-renowned” stacked pancakes at Bub’s Café, also in Carmel just off the Monon Trail.

I would relax and enjoy my breakfast, so that I could schedule a late morning tee-time at Noblesville’s Purgatory Golf Club (golfing here is something I have always looked forward to doing)!  After a great round of 18-hole golf, I would make time for lunch at The Hamilton Restaurant in Noblesville, which has excellent food and service too.  After lunch, I would spend the late afternoon antique shopping around Noblesville’s Historic Square.…… and I would top it off with an ice cream cone from Alexander’s on the Square!

To close the out the getaway, I would enjoy a leisurely dinner at Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano with some special friends.

**For more Hamilton County, Indiana trip ideas, visit us online at 8GreatTowns.com.

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Fall arrives gradually in Hamilton County, Indiana – with leaves changing to bright colors, crisp air and getaways of scenic train excursions, haunted hayrides and tasty treats.  In both the quaint downtowns and more urban towns, visitors can look beyond the gorgeous fall foliage for weekends filled with seasonal fairs and festivals – perfect for the whole family.  Arts and culture, pumpkins, and even the harvest moon are celebrated throughout the county…

The Apple Store at Conner Prairie

The Apple Store at Conner Prairie September 1- October 31 - Conner Prairie’s 19th annual Apple Store is filled with fresh, hand-dipped caramel covered apples, cider slushies, apple butter, candy and seasonal home decorations.  Take the treat home with you or relax on one of the outside picnic tables.

Tipton Pork Festival Train September 11 Ride the rails to the annual Pork Festival in Tipton, Indiana.  Once off the train enjoy good food, music and fun.

Artmobilia September 11 Celebrate the art & design of the automobile during this day-long festival in the Carmel Arts & Design District.

Artmobilia - photo from their Facebook page

24th Annual Tour of Historic Homes September 18 Enjoy a September stroll through the storied structures & residences of Noblesville.

Art in the Park September 18 - Visit downtown Fishers where musicians, dancers and other performers are there to entertain. Stay to browse and shop through the one-of-a-kind jewelry, pottery, paintings and more.

NUMA Arts & Cultural Festival September 18 This Saturday event showcases the fine works all forms of art and culture including;  painters, potters, dancers, and musicians.

Fishers Art in the Park, photo from Fishers Art Council website

Country Fair September 18-19 Country Fair is a weekend celebration of Indiana’s Farm Heritage!  The 1886 Agricultural Fair will be re-created so that visitors see the bearded lady, have their fortune read and play a historic game of base ball.

Carmel International Arts Festival September 25-26 - This free event offers artists exhibiting in watercolor, oil, 2D, 3D, jewelry, photography, wood, sculpture, pottery and more.  The art is then coupled with tempting food vendors, outstanding restaurants and local shops within the Arts and Design District.

Atlanta New Earth Festival (and take the Earthfest train!) September 25-26 Visit the small town of Atlanta for the 37th Annual New Earth Festival.  Over 80,000 people come for the fine arts, food and crafts.  Start the day at Forest Park in Noblesville, where you can hop aboard the Earthfest train to make the journey to Atlanta.

The EarthFest Train makes it's way through the Atlanta New Earth Festival, photo from AtlantaIndiana.com

Stonycreek Farm Pumpkin Harvest Festival September 26-October 31 It is a local tradition to kick off fall at Stonycreek Farm!  Hayrides, a pumpkin patch, farm animals and beautiful fall colors will greet you when you arrive at the Pumpkin Harvest.

11th Annual Potter’s Bridge Festival October 2 More than 40 arts & crafts booths plus a climbing wall, food, live music and kid’s activities are featured at this free, fun annual event!

Fishers Renaissance Faire October 2-3 Held on the grounds of historic Conner Prairie, the 6th Annual Fishers Renfaire offers visitors the opportunity to experience jousting, archery, sword fighting, period music, Shakespeare vignettes, pirates, Queen Elizabeth’s court, demonstrations of period craftsman, falconry, parades AND a unique food and shopping experience – and much, much more!

The Fishers Renaissance Faire

Sheridan Harvest Moon Festival October 2-3 This weekend long event kicks off its 18th year with a classic car show and provides non-stop entertainment of food, music, arts and even a “Pumpkin Chuck” contest.

Autumnfest October 9 This free fall celebration is held in the quaint downtown of Arcadia.  Join in for a festival of arts, crafts, food, pumpkin decorating, antiques, collectibles and more!

Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie October 15-17, 21-24, 28-30 Hop on a haunted hayride tour of Conner Prairie, but be on the lookout for ghosts as they warn you about the Headless Horseman….  Stick around for ghost stories, campfires and music.

*Visit our online calendar for a complete listing of Hamilton County, Indiana fall events.

Coming to the area for a fun fall weekend of festivals and need a great Indiana accommodation option? Visit the lodging page on our website for a full list of Hamilton County, Indiana hotels.


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How many days until September 1?!

Lately, a LOT of my posts (and, my tweets – if you are on twitter) have been food related.  I would like to say it is because I am pregnant and having cravings – but I honestly have to accept that I am a foodie.  I love eating food, I love talking about food, I love great local foods, but heck – I even love a good vending machine.  Even with my diverse love of food- I currently can not think of anything that sounds better than a hand dipped caramel covered apple from the Conner Prairie Apple Store.  Seriously, even the mere description makes my mouth water.  And nothing says “fall is here!” to me more than a caramel apple (and an apple cider slushy).  Lucky for me – the Apple Store (not to be confused with the computers) is opening Wednesday, September 1. I hope to see you there!

Details:

Open September 1 – October 31, 2010

Tuesday – Sunday; 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (& evenings during Headless Horseman)


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Historic Noblesville Square

Each September, the Noblesville Preservation Alliance (NPA) hosts a Tour of Historic Homes which showcases the storied structures & residences within downtown Noblesville.  Guests can stroll through at their own pace, enjoying the crisp fall air and the colorful foliage of the area.

The NPA has given us four tickets for the 2010 Tour, taking place Saturday, September 18 (tickets valued at $12 each).  We are having a contest on the blog for these tickets & we are also giving away a $10 gift certificate to Alexander’s on the Square.  What goes better with a walk around Noblesville than a tasty cone from Alexander’s?

To win these four tickets & $10 gift certificate, fill in the blank in the comments section of this post:

This is the ___th year for the annual tour of historic homes.  (No idea? Check out the NPA website for a clue: noblesvillepreservation.com).

Winner will be drawn on Monday, August 30 at 10 a.m.

Any question on our contests?  Check out our 8 Great Towns blog contest policy.

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If you are already planning a weekend getaway to Hamilton County’s 8 Great Towns or want to take a last minute Indiana vacation, here are 8 Great Things to do in Hamilton County, Indiana this weekend:

Train excursions through Hamilton County, Indiana

1. Take the whole family out for a day of “Family Fun on the Farm” at Stonycreek Farm in Noblesville – Friday, August 27 – Sunday, August 29.

2. Make a picnic dinner and listen as the Symphony on the Prairie presents the music of the Beatles – Friday, August 27 – Saturday, August 28.

3. Have a day at the beach – in Hamilton County, Indiana! Morse Park and Beach is open each weekend until Labor Day – Saturday, August 28 – Sunday, August 29.

4. Visit the Carmel, Fishers or Noblesville farm markets for great fresh produce, meats and local art – Saturday, August 28.

5. Enjoy appetizers and a cash bar while riding the The Hamiltonian train excursion through Hamilton County, stopping for dinner in downtown Noblesville – Saturday, August 28.

6. See cool, vintage cars during the Saturday Night Cruise In taking place in downtown Noblesville – Saturday, August 28.

7. Grab your cowboy hat and head to Verizon Wireless Music Center in Noblesville for a great live show featuring Toby Keith and Trace Adkins – Saturday, August 28.

8. Choo Choo!  All aboard for the caboose train rides through Noblesville – Sunday, August 29.

*For a complete listing of things do in Hamilton County, Indiana visit our online calendar at 8GreatTowns.com!

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This month, locally owned and operated Dooley O’Toole’s is celebrating their 25th anniversary!  Owner Doug Kemp started as a manager of this Carmel restaurant, and has since changed roles to co-owner, along with wife Terri.  Doug credits his staff and loyal clientele for his success over the years, but I think it is the delicious mini tenderloins and the daily made-from-scratch speciality soups.  Doug also offers tasty, fresh meat – as most of his meat products are purchased daily from the local Joe’s Butcher Shop.  If you haven’t been to this Carmel, Indiana dining landmark – go now!

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