The bucolic benefit concert returns to founder John Mellencamp’s hometown in Noblesville, Indiana.
Like an selfless Coachella , the sold - outFarm help Festivalis a music fete on a missionary work — and for the first sentence in more than 20 years , that missionary station is bringing it back to its roots , in America ’s fat Midwestern epicenter . Farm Aid blossomed in 1985 in Champaign , Illinois , after rock candy stars Willie Nelson , Bob Dylan , John Mellencamp , and Neil Young banded together to create a benefit concert for family farms . Their seed of an idea was a smashing achiever , pull in 80,000 attendees at the inaugural festival and raising some $ 7 million for kinfolk farm across the state . This twelvemonth ’s Farm Aid will land at the Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville , Indiana ( Mellencamp ’s home base state ) .
Now the longest linear welfare concert in the nation , Farm Aid has crisscross the country for fete in cities like Seattle , New Orleans , Louisville , and Indianapolis , featuring A - list performers like Elton John , Sheryl Crow , Jewel , Wilco , and Dave Matthews Band . While each upshot attracts thousands of visitors ( even the 2021 COVID - geological era festivals had 15,000 vaccinated attendees ) , Farm Aid still feels homegrown and wholesome , differentiating itself from the Coachellas and Lollapaloozas of the reality with its emphasis on agriculture , selflessness , and alimental local food .
The all - day , family - friendly affair features big - name performers and unparalleled areas spotlighting farm - reinvigorated nutrient and interactive farming activities . Lollapaloozais fun and all , but it does n’t have agricultural Jenga or temporary vegetable tattoo station .
Farm Aid Festival is back in Noblesville, Indiana.|Photo courtesy of Farm Aid
It ’s Indiana ’s third time host Farm Aid and Noblesville ’s sec . Located in Hamilton County , Noblesville is just 40 minutes north of Indianapolis . door open at noon on September 23 , and euphony and food running game until 11 pm , with a lineup that include Farm Aid repair like Willie Nelson , Neil Young , John Mellencamp , and Dave Matthews , plus Lukas Nelson , Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats , Allison Russell , Particle Kid , and more . Additionally , Homegrown Concessions will serve farm - fresh food . ( in the past , that ’s admit poke fun Brussels sprouts , tomato sandwiches , and brisket - stuffed sweet potato ) , alongside agricultural “ edutainment ” at Homegrown Village , like the said Jenga , plus preparation demonstrations , a mini fauna farm , and discussions on seed saving .
While general ticket are sold out for this year , the fete can be pullulate on Farm Aid’sYouTube channeland donation or merch purchases can be made through the Farm Aidwebsite .
Drive time:
3 hr from Chicago .
More things to do in Hamilton County:
Indoors and out , there ’s a richness of activities and attracter to research in Noblesville and the greater Hamilton County , which comprises the far northern exurbs of Indianapolis . This being other gloam , it ’s prime time forkayak and canoe rentalson the White River , cipher - liner through the lush timberland atKoteewi Aerial Adventure , and pumpkin - picking atRussell Farms Pumpkin Patch . Stick around a duo week and attend thePotter ’s Bridge Fall Festival , an annual tradition in Potter ’s Bridge Park with timpani Zea mays and folksy medicine galore .
Shopping and artwork abound atHistoric Noblesville Square , a quaint corporate of boutiques , eating place , and festive consequence . Flanking the historical Hamilton County Courthouse , itself a French Renaissance gem list on the National Register of Historic Places , Historic Noblesville Square is an idyllic place to shop for old geezer atLogan Village Mallor voguish accessary atThe Wild Bohemian , or take an prowess class atNickel Plate Arts .
To better immerse yourself in the regional scene , one of the county ’s first attraction is theNickel Plate Express , offer scenic wagon train rides with fun kinsperson - centric themes like superheroes , wizards , and barbeque .
Where to stay near Hamilton County:
Farm Aid married person with QuintRooms to assist with hotel booking , but it also donate a portion of reservation gross revenue to Farm Aid ’s Homegrown Youthmarket . VisitFarm Aid ’s pageon the Quintbook land site to chequer out region hotel including theSheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing , Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Fishers , andDrury Inn & Suites Indianapolis Northeast .
For something close to the locus , Noblesville hotel let in budget chains like theCourtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Noblesvilleand theHoliday Inn Express & Suites Indianapolis NE - Noblesville . ThePrairie Guest House , in nearby Fishers , is a peculiarly bucolic option , while theIronworks Hotel Indyis a agrestic - smart , boutique - style property in the rosehip Bottleworks District near a lot of restaurants .
Where to eat in Hamilton County:
regard as Noblesville and Hamilton County are playing host to a farm fete , it ’s no surprise that the arena is teeming with topically source , homegrown restaurants too . One soulful example isRosie ’s Place , a cute and homey cafe waft with fresh lucre , larder pastry , and scrape - made dishes like pork barrel combat zone Benedicts , oatmeal pancakes , blackened salmon BLTs , and turkey artichoke melts . Debbie ’s daughter , another quaint cafe and bakery in Noblesville , features seasonal dishes , sweets , and latte , like peach crumble muffins , lemonade cookies , pistachio rose coffee cappuccino , and chimichurri roast beef cattle sandwiches .
With a few localisation in the area , the buzzy , Latin - leaningLiveryhas built a reputation for its empanadas and choice of tequilas — plus yucca minor , potato tarts , and tacos galore — suffice up in stylish , gritty digs . The Nesst , a new - ish sensation , offer swank steakhouse vibes and hearty eats like fried fleeceable Lycopersicon esculentum , stuffed simoleons leaves , veal chops , and fillet .
To drink , Primeval Breweryis a business district Noblesville haunt extend European - style trade beer , with exceptional accent on German- and Belgian - style brews . Even enophile have something to savor here , with tastings at the pastoralCountry Moon Winery , complete with both indoor seating and ample outdoor lawn quad .
The Homegrown Concessions tent.|Photo by Scott Streble, courtesy of Farm Aid
