Zionsville, IN Outdoor Activities

Amid the sprawling halls of Hendersonville Expo Center, outdoor enthusiasts wend through upwards of 100,000 square feet of displays helmed by thousands of local and regional purveyors of outdoor recreational equipment for land and sea. Fleets of RVs and personal watercrafts sit patiently as visitors daydream about future fresh air adventures or daring action movies they could film aboard the crafts. An onsite food court prevents stomachs from interrupting leisurely strolls through the show with whining growls.

At any given time, the rowers making their synchronized strides across the Eagle Creek Reservoir could be adults or youths, Olympic-level competitive athletes or recreational paddlers out for exercise and sun. This variation in ages, backgrounds, and skill levels is in keeping with the Indianapolis Rowing Center's mission of popularizing the sport regardless of socioeconomic status or past experience. Upon opening the center in 1982 at Eagle Creek Park, the founders began to instill their nonprofit, Olympic-level training and competition knowhow unto rowers of all levels. Oarsmen buzz about the boathouse March–November, getting tips and taking lessons from a staff that includes a 2008 Beijing Olympian as well as collegiate-level competitors. Over time, the IRC has created a regional hub for rowing with its many programs for high-school, collegiate, and adult athletes as well as hosting collegiate rowing championships.

When speaking about the 25th annual show in 2012, Tom Vriesman of the Indiana Design Center did not hesitate to say, “the Art & Antiques Show is the State of Indiana’s premiere show for the design community.” As proof of his words, booths brim with valuable pieces of home décor such as antique china, Oriental rugs, bronze sculptures, and freshly painted works of contemporary art, and live performances by painters and musicians lend a personal touch to a weekend of artistic elegance. In addition to enhancing each lucky buyer’s home, the sale of all these elegant keepsakes and artifacts goes to support the Methodist Health Foundation](http://www.methodisthealthfoundation.org/).