Small towns have a special way of bringing people together. In Dubois County, that community spirit can be seen throughout the historic downtowns of Jasper, Ferdinand, and Huntingburg. Behind the events, promotions, beautification projects, and community gatherings are three organizations working to make each downtown a place where people want to live, work, shop, dine, and play.
Meet Heart of Jasper, Framing Ferdinand, and Destination Huntingburg—three organizations helping shape the future while celebrating what makes each community unique.
Located in the heart of downtown Jasper, Heart of Jasper is focused on creating a vibrant, welcoming downtown while preserving the community’s historic character. Its mission is to create an epicenter of activity by leveraging existing assets, transforming areas in need, and bringing new energy through creative programs and collaborative leadership.
The organization works on much more than events. Heart of Jasper supports downtown revitalization through projects such as façade improvements, downtown beautification, alley activations, business development, community clean-up efforts, and programs designed to bring more activity to downtown. It also helps promote Jasper’s shopping, dining, attractions, and events, making it easier for residents and visitors to experience everything downtown has to offer.
Events that bring downtown Jasper to life
One of Heart of Jasper’s biggest strengths is creating reasons to gather downtown throughout the year. Some of its programs and events include:
- Downtown Chowdown – A gathering that happens three times a year at the River Walk featuring food trucks, live music, and games. You can enjoy this event June, July and September.
- Music on Main – Live music around the Courthouse Square that encourages visitors to relax, shop, dine, and enjoy downtown.
- Alive After 5! – A newer evening initiative designed to activate downtown after work hours with music, shopping, dining, and other activities.
- Mingle on Main – Heart of Jasper’s annual fundraising event celebrating downtown Jasper while raising money for continued revitalization efforts.
Framing Ferdinand is dedicated to helping make Ferdinand a welcoming, vibrant community while supporting its downtown businesses and celebrating the town’s unique character.
The organization works alongside local businesses, community members, and other organizations to encourage people to visit, shop local, participate in community activities, and take pride in Ferdinand.
A big part of Framing Ferdinand’s work is creating community experiences that bring people together. From seasonal celebrations to family-friendly activities, the organization helps create memorable moments for residents and visitors while supporting local businesses.
Events that celebrate Ferdinand
Framing Ferdinand helps organize and participate in a variety of community events throughout the year, including:
- Community in Bloom – A spring celebration featuring local merchants, free family activities, kids’ crafts, storytime, seed packets, a flower bar, face painting, balloon art, and more.
- Walktoberfest – A fall celebration filled with fall flowers, apple cider, pumpkin decorating, crafts, live music, food trucks, merchant specials, giveaways, and family-friendly activities.
- Children’s Community Christmas – A holiday event where Framing Ferdinand helps create festive family experiences with Christmas crafts and photo opportunities.
- Outdoor Christmas Decorating Contest – One of the community’s favorite holiday traditions, encouraging residents to decorate their homes and spread Christmas cheer throughout Ferdinand
Historic 4th Street is one of Huntingburg’s most recognizable treasures, and Destination Huntingburg is working to make sure the downtown continues to thrive.
Established in 2014, Destination Huntingburg is a nonprofit organization and an official member of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs Indiana Main Street Program. Its goal is to encourage, enrich, and develop an inviting atmosphere in Huntingburg while preserving the history of downtown and leading civic, cultural, social, and economic activities.
Destination Huntingburg focuses on four key areas: organization, promotion, design, and economic vitality. That means bringing community partners together, promoting downtown businesses, helping improve the appearance of the district, and strengthening the local economy.
Events that make Huntingburg special
Destination Huntingburg hosts several events throughout the year designed to bring residents and visitors downtown:
- 4th Fridays – A monthly opportunity (May – Aug.) to enjoy downtown Huntingburg with shopping, food, entertainment, and community activities.
- Derby Day – A fun community celebration bringing the excitement of the Kentucky Derby to downtown.
- Huntingburg Farmers Market – A seasonal market where shoppers can support local vendors and enjoy the downtown atmosphere.
- Haunted Huntingburg – A fall event that adds a little spooky fun to the historic downtown.
- A Christmas Journey – A holiday tradition featuring festive activities and a candlelit Christmas parade.
Three Communities, One Shared Goal
While Heart of Jasper, Framing Ferdinand, and Destination Huntingburg each have their own identity and approach, they share an important goal: creating vibrant communities where people want to spend time.
It’s the summer evening spent listening to music on the Square in Jasper. It’s discovering a local shop during a community event in Ferdinand. It’s grabbing a bite to eat before enjoying 4th Fridays in Huntingburg. It’s seeing neighbors, meeting local business owners, bringing the kids downtown, or simply enjoying the character of a historic Indiana community.
So the next time you’re looking for something to do, shop local, dine local, and check out what’s happening downtown. From Jasper to Ferdinand to Huntingburg, there’s always something happening in the heart of Dubois County.
And the best part…You don’t have to choose just one. Explore them all!
Nearby Attractions
