Conner Prairie
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We bring history to life through first-person interpretation in our experience areas. http://www.connerprairie.org
Spanning more than 1,000 wooded acres in central Indiana, Conner Prairie welcomes nearly 400,000 visitors of all ages annually. As Indiana’s first Smithsonian Institute affiliate, Conner Prairie offers various outdoor, historically themed destinations and indoor experiential learning spaces that combine history and art with science, technology, engineering and math to offer an authentic look into history that shapes society today.
08/14/2026
🎈 What exactly is a hot air balloon “race”?
During balloon competitions, pilots use their knowledge of wind patterns, navigation and balloon handling to steer toward designated targets. Once they’re close, they toss weighted markers from their baskets—trying to land them as close to the target as possible!
You can see the skill firsthand during the Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival at Conner Prairie, September 11–13. Morning competitions will feature a target right on the field at Conner Prairie, making mornings one of the best times to watch these pilots in action. 🎈🌅
Evenings are sold out, but morning tickets are still available! Come early, watch dozens of balloons take to the skies and experience the competition side of Indiana’s largest balloon festival.
🎟️ Morning tickets: https://www.connerprairie.org/jupiter-flights-balloon-festival
🌻 The sunflowers are blooming—but not for long! 🌻
It started with 200,000 Pioneer Black Oil Sunflower seeds planted across approximately 3 acres of organically fertilized land (thanks, livestock! 🐄). Just 53 days later, our sunflower field is bursting with golden blooms—and attracting thousands of pollinators along the way! 🐝🦋
These beauties only stick around for about three weeks, so if a walk through a field of sunflowers (and a few picture-perfect photos 📸) is on your summer list, now’s the time to make it happen!
🌻 200,000 seeds in bloom
🐝 Thousands of visiting pollinators
📸 Bring your camera
☀️ Soak up some late-summer sunshine
⏳ Visit soon—the blooms won’t wait!
Plan your visit and come see what 53 days of growing can do. 💛
Sponsored by Corteva Agriscience
📚🎶 A new month means new stories in our Collections Vault Window. As students head back to school, August's display highlights what learning looked like in the past with a historic report card and student slate. The display also celebrates History Meets the Arts and Harmonic History in Prairietown with 19th-century sheet music, Civil War-era poetry and music from our archives, and a newly accessioned wooden flute with its own immigration story.
After exploring the vault, continue the journey at The Junction, where hands-on learning brings history to life.
Which artifact catches your eye first?
08/10/2026
🌽 Don’t miss this Thursday! 👂 America’s Table Series returns August 13 with I’m All Ears! Corn in America—and there’s still time to grab your spot! Dig into the history of one of Indiana’s most iconic crops, explore how corn has shaped American food and culture, and enjoy hands-on activities, tastings and conversation along the way.
Come hungry for history—and get your tickets before it’s too late! 🎟️ Learn more and get tickets: https://www.connerprairie.org/calendar/event/5575091
https://www.facebook.com/WestForkWhiskey/
08/09/2026
The Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival at Conner Prairie has had some pretty cool special shape balloons over the past 5 years! We have 3 different ones coming to the festival this year! We know they will be a big hit!
If you had your choice of picking out a special shaped hot air balloon to come to our festival, who would you like to see?!
Get your tickets now for our morning events! https://www.connerprairie.org/jupiter-flights-balloon-festival
08/08/2026
🥫 A few extra items in your cart can make a meaningful difference for families in our community.
Conner Prairie is continuing to collect food and essential items for the Grace Care Center Choice Food Pantry through September 7. During your next visit, consider bringing along a donation to help keep pantry shelves stocked for the hundreds of families Grace serves each week.
Most-needed items include soups, canned vegetables, diced tomatoes, cereal, boxed pasta, granola bars, broth, ketchup and toiletries.
📍 Drop off donations inside the Museum Experience Center through September 7.
Together, we can help our neighbors have more choices at the table. ❤️ Grace Care Center Foundation
08/07/2026
🎈 Evening events are SOLD OUT—but Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival mornings are ready for takeoff! ☀️
Start your day watching dozens of colorful balloons fill the sky during exciting flight competitions (weather permitting), where pilots put their precision and skill to the test.
Plus, your morning ticket includes even more family fun with barrel train rides, carnival rides, the tubing hill, face painting, make-and-take crafts, Ag Adventures Playground and more!
🌅 Come early, grab a coffee, find a spot and watch the sky come alive at Indiana’s largest balloon festival.
🎟️ Morning tickets are still available—grab yours before they're gone: https://www.connerprairie.org/jupiter-flights-balloon-festival
Did you know that all hot air balloons have names?
Check out this really cool racer hot air balloon. This one is flown by pilot MIchael O’Brien, from Berkley, MI.
The name of this Balloon? “Coulda Been A Boat”.
Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival, September 11-13. At Conner Prairie, Fishers, Indiana. 
08/07/2026
The Conner Prairie experience:
Standard 35MM: "Neat."
IMAX 70MM (as Christopher Nolan intended): "Wait... is that chocolate?" 🍊☕🍫⚖️
At Conner Prairie, history isn't just something you look at—it's something you step into. The full picture is in the little details: https://www.connerprairie.org/plan-your-visit
08/06/2026
Members of the Conner Prairie Alliance are out at Prairie View Golf Club today helping make the 2026 Conner Prairie Golf Classic a success! ⛳️ Their support helps make unforgettable experiences at Conner Prairie possible all year long.
Learn more about the Golf Classic: https://www.connerprairie.org/golf-classic/
🍎 While you’re planning your fall visit, don’t miss the return of the Apple Store!
📅 Open September 2–October 30, Wednesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., with extended hours during Symphony on the Prairie, Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival, and Headless Horseman. Plus, we’re open October 31 for National Caramel Apple Day!
Learn more about the Apple Store and the Conner Prairie Alliance: https://www.connerprairie.org/conner-prairie-alliance
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