Get Around

Do you get around town during the summer months? I doubt there are many in the current generation (what are we on now, Generation Z?) that have heard of The Beach Boys, let alone listened to them, but the surfer-hip California band once sang of "Getting bugged drivin' up and down the same old strip" and wanted to find a place "where the kids are hip."

Perhaps that's you and your crew this summer - just looking for some good times before fall comes around again and puts you in back in the classroom with algebra, the Civil War and the concept of Voodoo economics.

HSSTM has pieced together a schedule of some affordable (if not free) events you and your brethren might want to look into this summer.

Hoosier Reunion All-Star Classic

The historic basketball gym in Knightstown, movie home of the "Hoosiers" Hickory Huskers, will once again host this third annual event. The doubleheader will see the girls game tip at 6 p.m. Friday, June 6 with the boys game to follow at 8 (local time). Many local players, including several Indiana All-Stars, will be lacing them up in the Huskers famed 668-seat home. Call (317) 925-8200 for tickets.

Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Games
Here in the hoops capital of the country, there's a tradition unlike any other: the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star boys and girls basketball games. While a road trip to Kentucky for this home-and-home series may be a little pricey with gas at nearly $4 a gallon, you can still check out the college and pro stars of tomorrow at Conseco Fieldhouse in downtown Indy on Friday, June 13 beginning at 6 p.m.

Local All-Stars Gordon Hayward and Julian Mavunga of Class 4A state champion Brownsburg, Daniel Moore of Carmel, Alex Young of Northwest and Larry Stone of Howe will team with Mr. Basketball Tyler Zeller to battle the Kentucky boys.

North Central's Briana Bass, Lebanon's Maggie Boyer, Carmel's Danielle Havel and Lawrence North's Felisha Johnson will team with the other All-Star girls to face Kentucky's best.

Animation Sensation
Let's say, for the sake of argument, that for just one day this summer, it rains and you're forced indoors. Don't just lie around watching re-runs and worn-out DVDs. Gather your friends and head to the Children's Museum, where a new exhibit will help your posse rekindle the memories of youth - or the morning anyway.

In Animation, a new exhibit from the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in collaboration with the Cartoon Network, you can explore the art, math, science and technology of animation from original concept to finished product. And maybe, your art teacher will give you a couple of extra credit points for it to boot. Visit childrensmuseum.org for more.

Indianapolis Indians
There's nothing like taking in a baseball game at a fan-friendly park like Victory Field. The club has a slew of home games in June and July, with many promotional events on tap, including their renowned fireworks display at every Friday home game. Monday home games offer the ever-popular dollar menu at the concession stands.

On Sunday, June 22, there will be a fleece blanket giveaway to the first 4,000 fans and a cooler giveaway to the first 4,000 in attendance on Sunday, Jul. 13. Visit indyindians.com for more details and a handy schedule.

Indiana State Fair
Over the years, many notable names have been to and performed at the Indiana State Fair, including The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Kanye West, Bruce Springsteen and five former U.S. presidents. This year's edition of the State Fair, Aug. 6-17, will be no different and feature plenty of entertainment (Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, High School Band Day, cheer and dance team competitions), food (an old-fashioned pancake breakfast) and education (Indiana's Got Game! exhibit, featuring Indiana basketball, football, baseball and hockey). For more information and details, log on to in.gov/statefair.

For more events and summer info, visit Indianapolis.org.