Thanksgiving turkey trots

🦃 Drumstick Dash | Thurs., Nov. 25 | 9 a.m. | Broad Ripple | $37+ | Move your feet so others can eat during the 19th annual Drumstick Dash. The organization had the goal of fundraising $80,000 for Wheeler Mission this year. Well, it raised all that and hen some — totaling $89,905.

🦃 Turkey Trot for Kiran | Thurs., Nov. 25 | 9-10:30 a.m. | Messiah Lutheran Church at Eagle Creek | $30 donation recommended | Gobble up a 3-mile course to benefit the Children’s Organ Transplant Association in honor of Kiran — a local child waiting for a kidney transplant.

Want to wait until after the big feast to burn those Thanksgiving calories? Check out these runs in December.

Winter runs

❄️ Glühwein Gallop 5k | Sat., Dec. 4 | 10:30 a.m. | Carter Green, Carmel | $32+ | This inaugural scenic run will start + finish at the Christkindlmarkt festival, along with a costume contest and a free serving of Glühwein or beer with your ticket.

❄️ Red Nose Romp | Sat., Dec. 11 | 9-10:30 a.m. | White River State Park | $39+ | Run or walk a holly jolly 5K or half marathon as Christmas Carols play throughout the downtown course decked out with selfie stations. A portion of every entry helps purchase holiday gifts for local youth.

EVENTS

Today

Service Industry Night | Mon., Nov. 22 | 7 p.m. | Helium Comedy Club | $5+ | Servers, hosts + bartenders are welcome to take a break and enjoy some laughs served up by local comedians. 🍽️

Tuesday

Lord of the Rings Trivia Night | Tues., Nov. 23 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Books & Brews - South Indy | Free | Compete for prizes + showcase your knowledge of the epic Tolkien series. 💍

Wednesday

Skyline After 5 | Wed., Nov. 24 | 6-11 p.m. | 1 America Square, 36th floor | $25+ | Skyline Club is throwing the city’s “Hottest Hump Day Hangout” for working professionals through an evening of entertainment + networking. 🌃

Thursday

Centerpoint Trivia Night | Thurs., Nov. 25 | 7 p.m. | 1125 E. Brookside Ave. | Free | Grab a craft pint + test your knowledge with a group of friends at Centerpoint Brewing every Thursday. Prizes are awarded to the top three teams. 📝
Thanksgiving at The Hulman | Thurs., Nov. 25 | 7 a.m.-12 p.m. or 1-9 p.m. | Hotel Indy | Free | Skip cooking + celebrate with friends and family at The Hulman restaurant for a special brunch or prix fixe dinner menu. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.🍴

Friday

Circle of Lights Tree Lighting | Fri., Nov. 26 | 7-8 p.m. | Monument Circle | Free | The day after Thanksgiving, flock to Monument Circle for a holiday tradition + watch as the Soldiers & Sailors Monument is transformed into a giant Christmas tree of more than 4,000 lights. 🎄

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

COZY UP TO THESE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

34º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain

Tech

A local software company that developed programming to simplify the use of electronic documents hopes to add around a hundred more employees next year — after scoring a $425 million investment to expand its operations. Formstack was founded in Indianapolis in 2006 + moved to Fishers in 2019. 💻 (IndyStar)
Fishers-based tech firm Knowledge Services Inc. purchased the former Marsh Supermarket headquarters along I-69 + plans to open part of the building as a coworking hub after a $27.5 million renovation to the property. Starting in January, it’ll feature nearly 300 workstations, including office suites + open work spaces. 🏢 (IBJ)

Edu

The IPS Board of Commissioners voted to approve sharing district operating referendum funds with innovation charter schools. This means Indianapolis Public Schools will share $5 million with 25 of its charter schools twice annually — in December and June — which is about $500 per student. 💰 (WTHR)
For the first time since it was published in 1994, the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis is now live + available in a free digital format. You can browse over 1,900 entries — based on the print encyclopedia created by The Polis Center — involving the historical + cultural makeup of our city. 📚

Coming Soon

Big news for Big Woods fans. The Brown County-based restaurant is opening a location in the Fashion Mall at Keystone. It’s expected to open in spring 2022 + will be neighbors to the recently opened Shake Shack. Sister company, Hard Truth Distilling Co. will have a kiosk in the food court. 🍺 (IBJ)

Community

YMCA offers roughly 105 youth programs to the Indianapolis area, but a lack of applications + a need for staff is forcing it to temporarily close 13 programs this week. YMCA is offering several incentives to fill the gaps. You can learn more or apply for a position online. 🤝 (FOX59)

Ranked

We’re pie-ning over this news. A pie shop about 90 minutes east of Indianapolis — Mrs. Wick’s Bakery and Cafe — is known for its take on the sugar cream pie, so much so that it landed on Thrillist‘s list of "The 25 Best Pie Shops in America."🥧 (FOX59)

Seasonal

It started as a pandemic solution for kids to see Santa at a safe distance, but local fire departments are excited to bring back Santa neighborhood tours this holiday season. Carmel + Noblesville city departments will be putting the jolly one on a fire truck for nightly tours through local neighborhoods. 🚒 (WTHR)

📸 @IndyDT

Did you catch a first look at Jingle Rails on our Instagram this past weekend?

This holiday attraction features model trains that travel through miniature replicas of famous landscapes — from the skyline of Indianapolis to the impressive sights of the American West.

Jingle Rails runs now through Jan. 17 + is included with regular museum admission.

Pro tip: Get tickets in advance online + use the code JINGLE to get 10% off at checkout.

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THE WRAP

Editors Pick: We asked you what other bands or artists we should add to our playlist — Jeff N. gave us enough suggestions to start a whole new playlist, but the first three on his list were Meghan Cristeen Martin & the 1900, Addie Kosten + Emma Peridot.

Missed Friday's newsletter? Your Indy playlist 🎧