Hometown hero, Ghostbuster among first Indiana State Fair free stage announcements
Why it matters: The free stage continues to be one of the fair's most beloved and cost-conscious annual staples.
Driving the news: Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Three Dog Night, Melissa Etheridge, Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers and Disney Throwback DJ Night are the first five acts confirmed to be hitting the free stage this August.
Three Dog Night will get the party started for opening day on Aug. 1, and the Disney DJ will rock the wheels of steel the following night on Aug. 2.
Indy native Babyface performs Aug. 6, actor Bill Murray's band plays Aug. 8 and Melissa Etheridge performs Aug. 15.
The 2025 Indiana State Fair runs Aug. 1-17 and is open every day except Mondays.
If you go: All shows at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage are free with paid fair admission, and seating is first-come, first-served. A limited number of reserved viewing area tickets are available now.
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Disney World closes iconic attractions to make way for new land
Walt Disney World is closing several iconic attractions beginning Monday to make room for a brand-new land. Frontierland's Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat at Magic Kingdom will shut down on July 7 as Disney prepares to bring a national park-themed area called Piston Peak to life. Rivers of America has been a staple of Frontierland and Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom since Disney World opened in 1971. The Liberty Belle steamboat and Tom Sawyer Island were added in 1973, offering guests a narrated ride through scenes of early American frontier life. Visitors could also take a raft to explore Tom Sawyer Island, inspired by Mark Twain's beloved novel. Last month, Disney announced that Piston Peak National Park will be the "largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom," continuing the storytelling tradition that has flowed through Liberty Square and Frontierland since opening day. Inspired by the American frontier and the majestic Rocky Mountains -- stretching from British Columbia to New Mexico -- Piston Peak will transport guests into a wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, waterfalls, roaring rivers and dramatic geysers. Visitors will be able to explore a "visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails and more," all inspired by Disney and Pixar's "Cars" universe and its "wheelderness." Disney's Imagineers are even basing Piston Peak's architecture on that of the real-world "Parkitecture" style, which focuses on blending buildings with the surrounding natural landscape harmoniously. And Piston Peak isn't the only major project underway. Disney also confirmed that Imagineers are hard at work on the first-ever land inspired by Disney villains. Located beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the land will feature two major attractions, themed dining, shopping, and a darkly magical aesthetic on an "incredibly twisted grand scale." Additionally, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom is set to reopen next year with new magic, while later this summer, Disney Starlight will make its grand debut on Main Street on July 20. Meanwhile, The Beak and Barrel will welcome pirates of all ages to join in the adventure.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Closing time for Tom Sawyer Island, Rivers of America at Disney World's Magic Kingdom
First, parts of DinoLand, U.S.A., then Muppets Courtyard. Now, another iconic corner of Walt Disney World is shuttering. Sunday, July 6 is the last operating day for Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat and Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom in Florida. For decades, this tree-lined stretch of Frontierland and Liberty Square invited guests to break away from the hustle and bustle of the world's most visited theme park, to take in the scenery and slow down. The closing was announced at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event last August, but a specific date wasn't shared until June. Here's why the attractions are closing and what guests can expect from their replacement. Like its counterpart at Disneyland in California, Tom Sawyer Island is a old timey island amid the Rivers of America, which guests can reach by raft or circle by riverboat. "Wander dusty dirt roads lined with tall trees, explore whirling mills and amble across creaky suspension bridges. Navigate narrow passages amid secret mined caves and uncover a frontier fort," read the attraction's page on Disney World's website. "Along the way, follow in the pioneering footsteps of early settlers, during an era when Mark Twain and Tom Sawyer reflected a new nation coming into its own. It's an unforgettable expedition into the heart of the American frontier!" D23, the Official Disney Fan Club notes both Disneyland and Disney World's Tom Sawyer Island were present on the opening days of their respective parks, but their attractions didn't open until later. Disneyland's version was personally designed by Walt Disney and given a pirate overlay in 2007. It's important to note that only Magic Kingdom's version is closing. Disneyland's Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island will remain open, as will its Rivers of America and riverboat. Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat and Rivers of America are closing at Disney World as part of Magic Kingdom's largest expansion to date. The Florida park is getting a whole new area beyond Big Thunder Mountain, including a new Villians land in years to come. The space where Tom Sawyer Island is now will be replaced by a new "Cars"-inspired area different from the Radiator Springs setting of Cars Land in Disney California Adventure. The new area will be called "Piston Peak National Park." "Imagine an awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers," Disney Parks Blog posted in June. "Inside Piston Peak, guests will be able to see and explore the visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails and more all set within the Disney and Pixar 'Cars' universe." Disney said Imagineers will use a style of architecture developed by the Natural Park Service to blend structures into Rocky Mountain-inspired Piston Peak, and trees will serve as a natural border between an off-road rally attraction and the rest of Frontierland and Liberty Square. Concept art shared by Disney shows water will also remain a prominent part of the landscape. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Magic Kingdom's Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island prepare to close
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Closing time for Tom Sawyer Island, Rivers of America at Disney World's Magic Kingdom
First, parts of DinoLand, U.S.A., then Muppets Courtyard. Now, another iconic corner of Walt Disney World is shuttering. Sunday, July 6 is the last operating day for Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat and Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom in Florida. For decades, this tree-lined stretch of Frontierland and Liberty Square invited guests to break away from the hustle and bustle of the world's most visited theme park, to take in the scenery and slow down. The closing was announced at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event last August, but a specific date wasn't shared until June. Here's why the attractions are closing and what guests can expect from their replacement. What is Tom Sawyer Island? Like its counterpart at Disneyland in California, Tom Sawyer Island is a old timey island amid the Rivers of America, which guests can reach by raft or circle by riverboat. "Wander dusty dirt roads lined with tall trees, explore whirling mills and amble across creaky suspension bridges. Navigate narrow passages amid secret mined caves and uncover a frontier fort," read the attraction's page on Disney World's website. "Along the way, follow in the pioneering footsteps of early settlers, during an era when Mark Twain and Tom Sawyer reflected a new nation coming into its own. It's an unforgettable expedition into the heart of the American frontier!" D23, the Official Disney Fan Club notes both Disneyland and Disney World's Tom Sawyer Island were present on the opening days of their respective parks, but their attractions didn't open until later. Disneyland's version was personally designed by Walt Disney and given a pirate overlay in 2007. It's important to note that only Magic Kingdom's version is closing. Disneyland's Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island will remain open, as will its Rivers of America and riverboat. Why is Disney closing Tom Sawyer Island? Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat and Rivers of America are closing at Disney World as part of Magic Kingdom's largest expansion to date. The Florida park is getting a whole new area beyond Big Thunder Mountain, including a new Villians land in years to come. The space where Tom Sawyer Island is now will be replaced by a new "Cars"-inspired area different from the Radiator Springs setting of Cars Land in Disney California Adventure. The new area will be called "Piston Peak National Park." "Imagine an awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers," Disney Parks Blog posted in June. "Inside Piston Peak, guests will be able to see and explore the visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails and more all set within the Disney and Pixar 'Cars' universe." Disney said Imagineers will use a style of architecture developed by the Natural Park Service to blend structures into Rocky Mountain-inspired Piston Peak, and trees will serve as a natural border between an off-road rally attraction and the rest of Frontierland and Liberty Square. Concept art shared by Disney shows water will also remain a prominent part of the landscape.
