We headed out to Conner Prairie last night for Symphony on the Prairie to celebrate Independence Day. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s program featured a wide variety of patriotic music leading up to the Overture of 1812 followed by a Sousa grand finale of Stars and Stripes Forever. The fireworks were phenomenal. Guest soloist Daniel Barduuci sang and Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard read the Gettysburg Address. Symphony on the Prairie is in its 29th Season at Conner Prairie.
Take an 1859 Balloon ride during Symphony on the Prairie
1859 Balloon Voyage: Something new and very cool at Symphony on the Prairie is Balloon Flights. a flight on 1859 Balloon Voyage and float 350 feet above the symphony before or during the show. The 1859 Balloon Voyage is a permanent exhibit at Conner Prairie that is also open during many special events including Symphony on the Prairie. The balloon in tethered. Tickets are $15 per person ($12 for members). You can get a $5 discount Balloon Voyage coupon from BP am/pm stores.
Tickets: Symphony on the Prairie is a little pricey especially for the July 4th concerts. I was a little shocked this year when I purchased two adult tickets and 1 child ticket in advance for $62! Then I remembered I’d be getting a fabulous performance by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and awesome fireworks in my home town. Advance tickets for the 4th of July shows are $26 per adult ticket ($29 at the gate); $10 per child ($12 at the gate.) The remainder of the concerts are $21 per adult ticket ($26 at the gate); $10 per child, ages 2-12 ($12 at the gate). Single tickets are available for purchase online and at Marsh grocery stores. Visit Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for ticket information or call 317.639.4300.
Group Ticket Sales: Special rates are available for groups of 30 or more. For details, call 317.231.6788.
For Out-of-Towners: If family travel brings you to the Indianapolis area, I definitely recommend spending a day at Conner Prairie and then topping it off with a Symphony on the Prairie concert. Conner Prairie is located northeast of Indianapolis in Fishers, Indiana. An interactive history park, Conner Prairie takes visitors back to Indiana in the 1800s. For more info on Conner Prairie, click here.
Parking: Huge numbers of people attend Symphony on the Prairie — especially the fourth of July performances which brings in thousands of people. When you arrive, you’ll be directed to a parking spot. The later you arrive, the further you’ll be from the band shell, so if you don’t want to walk as far, I recommend arriving as soon as gates open. The gates open at 6 p.m. for all concerts except the Fourth of July concerts when they open at 4:30. If you want to get in and out quick opt for premium parking. For $20 per spot, Premium Parking offers a quick trip to your seat and a fast exit after the concert. This lot is accessed from North Drive, located north of the main entrance. Spots must be purchased in advance by calling the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at 317.639.4300. We plan to use this for Fourth of July concerts in the future.
Bring plenty of snacks and activities for your kids to Symphony on the Prairie.
Seating: When we arrived it was already packed. Luckily our friends had arrived earlier and snagged a spot. If you don’t want to drag your own lawn chairs and blankets along, premium seating is available. We’ve done this once and it is nice not to have to carry as much into Conner Prairie. Reserve a private table and enjoy the best seats in the house. Tables accommodate up to 10 people. Tables are available for sale at the gate for most concerts. They can also be purchased in advance online or by calling the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office at 317.639.4300. If you don’t want to splurge for a premium table, you can rent a stadium lawn chair when you arrive for just $5 and enjoy the concert in comfort.
Bring Stuff to Do: Especially if you have children, be sure to bring extra things to do. The boys in our group brought there Nintendo DS game systems. We did, however, make them put them away before the fireworks started. I also brought glow in the dark necklaces and bracelets for the kids to wear once it got dark. These were a big hit and I picked them in the $1 bin from Target a few weeks ago. You can also bring card games, etc. Just be sure to be courteous and not get too loud as people are trying to enjoy the music.
Most Symphony on the Prairie concert goers pack delicious picnics.
Food: Most people pack a picnic. I remember years ago when attending our first symphony on the prairie my husband and I ate concession hot dogs while watching other concert goers dine on delicious looking picnics some even complete with candles atop card tables with while linen table cloths. Not everybody gets that fancy, but most do pack a tasty picnic. Remember, you’ll be there a while. I do recommend bringing a cooler on wheels as you will have to carry it quite a distance from wherever you end up parking your car and then back again. If you don’t want to pack a picnic and you have more than 10 in your party, you can order box dinners or even complete meals from Distinctive Catering. There are also several concessions open throughout the concerts. If you plan on buying concessions, be sure to bring cash as some of them only take cash. I also noticed a “beer and wine garden” area where adult beverages could be purchased.
Exiting: Grab a Snickers because this is gonna take a while especially after Fourth of July concerts. The Indianapolis Symphony stays and plays for a while after the main event, so I recommend staying put and enjoying some for music before heading to the car. We waited about a half an hour, used the restroom (this is a must, especially if you’ve got kids) and then headed to the car. We waited in our car about an hour before traffic started to move. If you can get to one of the main paths exiting Conner Prairie, you’ll find traffic moves a little quicker.
Symphony on the Prairie
Weather Alerts and Rainchecks: Sometimes concerts do get delayed or even postponed. This happened to us once and we got a rain check. Rain Checks will be distributed should weather conditions exist that result in a program change, reduction in the length of a performance, or cancellation of a concert. Rain Checks will admit you for lawn seating to any 2010 Marsh Symphony on the Prairie concert. Replacement table seating will be arranged through the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office subject to availability. Concert cancellation will be announced from the stage and via local media outlets.For weather alerts prior to the concert, text the word WEATHER and your concert date (i.e. WEATHER AUGUST 13) to 24025.
Please Note: All concerts begin at 8:00 PM. Gates open at 6:00 PM. (Gates open at 4:30 PM on July 2, 3 & 4.) No pets, grills, fireworks, tiki torches or sparklers.
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1930 by German conductor Ferdinand Schaefer. Its inaugural performance was noted by Time Magazine. Through the years, the group of volunteer musicians who split the original ticket sales grew into a professional orchestra that performs more than 200 concerts each year at the historic Hilbert Circle Theatre and at Conner Prairie Living History Museum, as well as sites around the state.
Remaining Concerts
Star Spangled Symphony
Sunday, July 4, 8pm
The John Denver Songbook
Friday, July 9, 8pm | Saturday, July 10, 8pm
Sci-Fi Spectacular with George Takei
Friday, July 16, 8pm | Saturday, July 17, 8pm
Indie on the Prairie with Brandi Carlile
Friday, July 23, 8pm | Saturday, July 24, 8pm
Tchaikovsky 5
Friday, July 30, 8pm | Saturday, July 31, 8pm
Time for Three: Classical meets Garage Band*
Friday, August 6, 8pm | Saturday, August 7, 8pm
A Tribute to Michael Jackson
Friday, August 13, 8pm | Saturday, August 14, 8pm
Duke Ellington Orchestra*
Friday, August 20, 8pm | Saturday, August 21, 8pm
Classical Mystery Tour: Music of the Beatles*
Friday, August 27, 8pm | Saturday, August 28, 8pm
The Music of Buddy Holly & Friends*
Thursday, September 2, 8pm | Friday, September 3, 8pm
River City Brass Band*
Saturday, September 4, 8pm | Sunday, September 5, 8pm
*The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra does not perform at this concert.