The scope of Greenwood’s WAMMfest can be overwhelming at first.
Six main bands playing everything from rock to R&B to soul are scheduled on two different stages.
About 60 artists from around the country will showcase the best in painting, sculpture, jewelry and other media.
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Restaurants are lined up to offer pizza, Cajun food, barbecue and kombucha, as well as dozens of additional options. And for adults in the crowd, 16 breweries and wineries will be serving up their best IPAs, ambers, pinot grigios and more.
WAMMfest has become an annual highlight of the summer festival season, bringing thousands of people from around the region to Old Town Greenwood. They come to enjoy the wine, art, music and microbrews — the festival’s four namesakes — for an entire day of entertainment.
Proceeds from the event go towards supporting the Sertoma Club of Greenwood’s many community efforts, including the city’s parks, police and fire departments, college scholarships and holiday charities.
With the festival supporting so many good causes, people are excited to take part. Here are the highlights of this year’s event:
Get ready to dance
Music is the centerpiece of WAMMfest, as each year organizers bring together a diverse slate of bands that will keep the crowd grooving. Playing on alternating stages to ensure there’s no gaps in the entertainment, this year’s festival includes such mainstays as Toy Factory, Indy Nile and the Woomblies Rock Orchestra.
Chuck and Renee Crull, members of the popular country-rock group the Blue River band, will get the festivities started. Festival-goers can expect to hear everything from ‘90s pop to classic rock to the likes of Prince, Earth, Wind & Fire and Beyonce.
Find some Soul
The headlining performance of this year’s festival belongs to Soul Street, a funky ensemble bringing brass, rhythm and vocals together. The band’s repertoire includes R&B and Motown hits from the ‘60s all the up through today. The 10-piece group moves seamlessly from the Jackson 5 to the Temptations to Parliament to Bruno Mars. This will be the first year that Soul Street will be part of WAMMfest.
Local talent
While the main stages will draw the bulk of attention, the Artist Alley stage will offer some of the most talented of Johnson County performers. Smith Valley Strings, led by violinist Rachel Gries, plays soaring renditions of classical and contemporary music. The dancers from Stage One Dance Academy will showcase modern, tap and other forms of dance.
A vintage year
Wine is a cornerstone of WAMMfest’s draw, and organizers have lined up a diverse collection if Indiana-based wineries to entice festival-goers. Bargersville’s Mallow Run Winery will be prominently featured, as they have since the festival started, and Johnson County-adjacent selections from Chateau Thomas and Cedar Creek are favorites every year.
But WAMMfest might be the only time people can try a Cab France from Mitchell-based Carousel Winey, a Chambourcin from Ertel Cellars out of Batesville, a Lullaby white wine from Harmony Winery or a Sweet Marie from Holtkamp Winery.
Art from all around
Many festivals in the area focus on food, music and craft beer and wine. But what sets WAMMfest apart is its commitment to showcasing arts from throughout the Midwest in Artist’s Alley. The grassy section of the WAMMfest grounds is where people can see flourishing creativity, not just from central Indiana but from out of state as well.
Contemporary jewelry, ceramics, abstract paintings and landscape photography are all featured, as are upcycled home decor and funky accessories. This year’s festival will feature 60 artists, some coming from as far away as New York, Florida and Canada.
The artists next door
The diverse offerings from artists is part of what makes WAMMfest so special. But the festival also serves as a main spotlight for Johnson County and southside artists to showcase their work.
Colorful paintings and folksy wall hangings will be on display by Greenwood based Teal Canary. Yellow Umbrella Designs, located in Franklin Township, creates intricate pieces of string art for the home. Rich woodwork will be available by Greenwood resident Sean Fagan. Local art lovers will have the chance to browse dozens of one-of-a-kind creations from their own neighbors.
Microbrew boom
With the booming popularity of craft beer, it can be difficult to keep track of when new breweries open up, let alone try the pours they are making. Luckily, WAMMfest has brought together 10 local breweries making some of the best beer in the country.
Johnson County mainstays such as Taxman, Planetary, MashCraft and Oaken Barrel will again be pouring IPAs and blonde ales. But award-winning beers from companies such as Bier Brewery, Chilly Water Brewing and Quaff On! Brewing will also give people an opportunity to try something different.
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WAMMfest
What: Greenwood’s annual festival celebrating wine, art, music and microbrews. The event supports community efforts by the Sertoma Club of Greenwood.
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Craig Park, 10 E. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood
Tickets: $10 online or $15 at the gates
Schedule:
- 11 a.m. to noon: Chuck and Renee Crull of the Blue River Band, East Stage
- Noon to 1:30 p.m.: That 90’s Band, West Stage
- Noon: Smith Valley Strings, Artist Alley stage
- 1:30 to 3 p.m.: Toy Factory, East Stage
- 3 to 4:30 p.m., Indy Nile, West Stage
- 3 p.m.: Vinyl Division Band, Artist Alley stage
- 4:15 p.m.: Stage One Dance Academy, Artist Alley stage
- 4:30 to 6 p.m.: Woomblies Rock Orchestra, East Stage
- 6 to 8 p.m.: Soul Street, West Stage
Wineries: Mallow Run Winery, Bargersville; Chateau Thomas Winery, Plainfield; Carousel Winery, Mitchell; Cedar Creek Winery, Martinsville; Ertel Cellars Winery, Batesville; Harmony Winery, Fishers; Holtkamp Winery, New Alsace
Breweries: MashCraft Brewing Co., Greenwood; Oaken Barrel Brewing Co., Greenwood; Planetary Brewing Co., Greenwood; Taxman Brewing Co., Bargersville; Bier Brewery, Indianapolis; Cedar Creek Brew Co., Martinsville; Chilly Water Brewing, Indianapolis; Flat 12 Bierwerks, Indianapolis; Quaff On! Brewing Co., Nashville; Sun King Brewing Co., Indianapolis
Information: wammfest.com
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