Mark your calendars! From October 2–5, 2025, Greenfield, Indiana, will come alive with the sights, sounds, and spirit of the Riley Festival—a beloved tradition honoring James Whitcomb Riley, Indiana’s famed “Hoosier Poet.”

Known for timeless classics like “Little Orphant Annie,” “The Raggedy Man,” and “The Old Swimmin’ Hole,” Riley’s legacy lives on in his hometown with Indiana’s largest four-day craft festival, featuring:
🛍️ Over 500 booths of handmade goods
🎶 Live entertainment & performances
🍂 Delicious food vendors
🎨 Art shows, contests & poetry readings
🎈 Vibrant parades and family-friendly activities

A Centennial Celebration in Riley Park

This year’s festival promises to be even more memorable, as Riley Park turns 100! Join the community for a special centennial celebration with:
🎡 A Ferris wheel & classic carnival games
📜 Historic displays and reenactments
🎂 Birthday cake and old-fashioned fun
👒 And rumor has it—Mr. Riley himself may appear! He’s looking great for 176!

Experience the festival during the peak of Indiana’s fall colors and soak in the charm of Central Indiana like never before.

Can’t Make the Festival? Riley Lives Here Year-Round

Even if you miss the October festivities, Greenfield invites you to step into the poet’s world any time of year.

🏡 Tour Riley’s Boyhood Home & Museum – Explore the place where Little Orphant Annie came to stay and the Raggedy Man worked for Pa.

🖼️ Walk the Riley Arts Trail – A newly completed experience that lets you literally walk in Riley’s words. Follow this immersive trail downtown, with stops that bring his poetry to life.

Riley once called Greenfield “the best town this side of heaven.” Come see why.

Read Also: Clark County truly has it all . . . Naturally!

Visit Greenfield & Hancock County

Just 20 miles east of Indianapolis, Greenfield offers a perfect blend of small-town warmth and cultural richness. With Hoosier hospitality around every corner, it’s a destination full of stories—past, present, and yet to be written.

🧭 How will you Create Your Story in Hancock County?

Learn more about Greenfield and Hancock County by visiting Hancock County Tourism: www.visitinhancock.org