Lawrence, Indiana is a smallish suburb of Indiana state capital Indianapolis, located on the city’s east side. It’s a fairly small community that combines the quiet friendliness of a small town with the cultural accessibility of the Circle City. Since it has the general spirit of small town, there are several community events in Lawrence that make living and visiting this Indiana city worthwhile. Though they are not as large or spectacle-driven as Indianapolis attractions and Indianapolis events, Lawrence events nevertheless provide several days of fun for Lawrence children and adults alike.

No small town’s events calendar is complete without a comprehensive Fourth of July celebration. It’s a United States tradition to celebrate our independence day, particularly in small communities, and Lawrence is no different. The Lawrence 4th Fest is one of the biggest Lawrence events that offers almost everything an Indianapolis festival of the same type would offer. Taking place at Lawrence Community Park, the largest park in the Lawrence parks system and the site for other Lawrence events, the Lawrence 4th Fest is a classic Fourth of July celebration, complete with fireworks, carnival games, vendors, and the All-American Cornhole Tournament, a casual Lawrence sports competition that raises funds for Indianapolis non-profit organizations and other community groups. The Lawrence 4th Fest is one of the largest community events in this small suburb.

Another great Lawrence event that takes place in Lawrence Community Park is the Lawrence Community Day. Every year in September, the town kicks off the fall with a bang; this event brings together members of the community for food, fun, and one of the last warm days of the season. This Lawrence event is a big hit for visitors and residents alike; it has some top notch Lawrence attractions that are sure to please. Last year, Radio Disney (an Indianapolis media outlet) made an appearance, and the Lawrence event also had a rock wall (a la Climb Time in Indy), a visit from the Bookmobile, a dunk tank, food from Lawrence restaurants, and a car smash.

Lawrence Community Day also features one of the tastiest competitions in the Hoosier State: the Lawrence Chili Cook-Off. In this event, aspiring chili masters gather to show off their staple dish in an out and out, no holds barred brawl of spices, beans, peppers, and meat. The chili is judged by an esteemed panel of judges on a number of different criteria and are awarded prizes based on flavor, heat, and composition. The winner of the 2009 Chili Cook-Off received a flat screen TV: a prize worthy of a chili master.

Though the Lawrence 4th Fest and Lawrence Community Day are the two major Lawrence events, there are a few smaller community events that occur throughout the year. Most of these are run through the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, the governing body behind much of Lawrence business, and include luncheons, meet and greets, and fun activities for residents and business owners. One of these is the Health, Wellness, and Fitness Fair, a festival dedicated to Lawrence health. Focusing on three areas of health, Animal Health, Personal Health, and Business Health, the Health, Wellness, and Fitness Fair has all the bases covered.

Lawrence certainly knows how to throw a good community event. The small Indianapolis suburb is home to a wide variety of fun fairs, festivals, and activities for visitors and residents. The Lawrence 4th Fest is a typical Fourth of July celebration, with fireworks, vendors, and carnival games; Lawrence Community Day is a great opportunity to have some fun with the kids through chili, a climbing wall, and fun games; and the Health, Wellness, and Fitness fair strives to keep Lawrence residents and Lawrence businesses fit and trim, both fiscally and physically. Lawrence events can be a great lot of fun, even if you’re used to the mega-spectacle that Indianapolis events often consist of. Head on over to Lawrence to see how a small town can really celebrate.