The Mike Epps Festival is back for a third year, with more entertainment, resources and celebration for the whole community.
Hosted by Mike Epps and the Mike Epps Foundation, the three-day festival promises to bring live music, comedy, health and wellness and youth engagement to residents at various locations around the city Aug. 28-30.
“Indianapolis has supported me throughout my entire career,” Epps said in a statement. “This festival is my opportunity to give back to the city that made me. It is about bringing people together through comedy, music, culture, and community while creating opportunities that can make a lasting difference.”
The festival kicks off with the Mike Epps & Friends Comedy Show on Aug. 28 at Old National Centre. Presented by Live Nation in partnership with Radio One and Pink Street Live, the show features Epps alongside nationally recognized comedians — such as Faizon Love and Navv Green.
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The celebration continues with the Mike Epps Community Festival from noon to 6 p.m. on Aug. 29 in Washington Park. Sponsored by McDonalds and presented by Circle City Broadcasting, the festival is free to attend, and aims to “bring families, neighborhoods, nonprofit organizations and local businesses together for an afternoon of music, culture, resources and community connection,” according to a press release.
The festival is set to include a small vendor marketplace alongside food trucks and other local vendors, a Youth and Kids Zone, a Wellness and Health village, a community resource fair and live entertainment from One Way, Club Nouveau, E.U. Featuring Sugar Bear, Angela Winbush and Pokey Bear.
There will also be free Park & Ride shuttle service available to transport guests to Washington Park from various locations across Indianapolis throughout the day.
Rounding out the festival weekend, the Mike Epps Car & Bike Show welcomes automotive enthusiasts, collectors, car clubs, motorcycle groups and families across the city from noon to 6 p.m. on Aug. 30 at Lawrence Community Park. Sponsored by Botero Cart, presented by Circle City Broadcasting and supported by Pink Street Live and the Mike Epps Foundation, the car and bike show is set to include classic, custom and muscle cars, trucks, motorcycles and sports bikes.
Hosted by Faizon Love, the car and bike show will also feature specialty performances by DJ Quik and Petey Pablo alongside performances by local artists, food and merchandise vendors.
Car owners can also enter to compete in the Mike Epps VIP Vehicle Competition where celebrity judges will present awards in multiple vehicle categories, in addition to an exclusive VIP experience, premium hospitality and the chance to win a grand-prize package, according to a press release.
However, the Mike Epps Festival is more than just a weekend full of performances; it’s a “celebration of community, opportunity, culture and giving back,” according to a press release. Outside of the annual event, the Mike Epps Foundation supports initiatives focused on youth development, education, mental health awareness, community engagement, economic opportunity and reentry support through supplemental year-round programming. The foundation also partners with local nonprofits, schools, businesses, healthcare providers and community leaders to “strengthen Indianapolis neighborhoods and create greater opportunities for future generations.”
The third annual Mike Epps Festival weekend takes place Aug. 28-30 and is free to attend. Registration for vehicle owners is $50 and must be done in advance for the Mike Epps Car & Bike Show at https://forms.gle/fPrpTd5Q9deidcqCA.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
