Entertainment

By Angie Rapp— MUNCIE, IN— Ball State PBS (formerly WIPB-TV), the producing station of The Joy of Painting is happy to announce the return of Happy Little Fest—the annual celebration of “all things Bob Ross”—at the place the iconic painter called home for many years. Happy Little Fest is set for 1– 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens in the Greensward space. From 1983 to 1994, The Joy of Painting was filmed at WIPB’s two homes in Muncie. Early seasons were produced at the original studio inside the L.L. Ball home on Minnetrista Blvd., before…

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to Muncie this month when the hit musical Mrs. Doubtfire takes the stage at Ball State University’s Emens Auditorium for a 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 performance. Tickets are available now at the Emens Box Office (1800 W. Riverside Ave.), at Ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 765-285-1539. Groups of 10 or more may place orders by calling the box office. Based on the beloved film, Mrs. Doubtfire tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard, who—after losing custody in a messy divorce—creates the kindly alter ego of…

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN—Grab your costumes and candy buckets—Minnetrista’s Boo-levard Bash is back on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 5:30–8 p.m. This free, family-friendly celebration transforms historic Minnetrista Boulevard into a lively Halloween festival filled with trick-or-treating, fall flavors, and festive fun. The evening begins at the Columns, where guests will make their way toward the food trucks in front of the Center Building. On the Greensward, families can purchase fresh caramel apples, cider, cocoa, and more, and enjoy a festive photo opportunity alongside the pumpkin patch, where the perfect pumpkins will be available for purchase from the horticulture…

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN—From the streets of Muncie to the wider world, the fight for civil rights has always included the voices of East Central Indiana. This fall, those voices have a new home. It looks like an ordinary city bus from the outside, but step inside and you’ll discover the extraordinary stories of neighbors, leaders, and families who stood at the frontlines of the civil rights movement. On Wednesday, October 8, at 10:30 a.m., Minnetrista Museum & Gardens invites the community to the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Freedom Bus—an immersive museum on wheels dedicated to remembering the past…

By Seth Smith, Hull Property Group— MUNCIE, IN — Get ready for a night of spooky fun at Muncie Mall’s annual Malloween Celebration! Families are invited to join us on Friday, October 31, 2025, starting at 6:00 PM, for a night of tricks, treats, and Halloween smiles. Enjoy trick-or-treating at participating stores, free candy (while supplies last), and plenty of opportunities to show off your best costumes. This family-friendly event is free to attend, making it the perfect way to celebrate Halloween safely and in style. “We can’t wait to welcome families back for another Spooktacular Malloween at Muncie Mall,”…

By Vicki Veach, Executive Director, Downtown Development Partnership— MUNCIE, IN—The ArtsWalk Lineup on Thursday, October 2, from 5–8 p.m. Art, music, food, history, and community will come together in the heart of DWNTWN, transforming familiar spaces into a stage for local creativity. Highlights include: Galleries & Exhibits – Gordy Fine Art & Framing Company, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Art at the Murray, Carrie Wright Silk Gifts, ECAP Gallery, Made in Muncie, MuncieArts, and more. DWNTWN IDOL Finale – 6 p.m. at Canan Commons. NEW Augmented Reality Experiences – Explore Muncie’s history with your phone through immersive AR views of…

By Erin K. Lovall— MUNCIE, IN—Munich to Muncie Oktoberfest, benefiting ecoREHAB, returns for its fourth year on September 27, 2025 at The Yard, 723 S. Council St., Muncie. EcoREHAB of Muncie is a non-profit that emerged in 2009 from a Ball State University architecture studio designed to transform abandoned houses into sustainable homes. In ecoREHAB’s years of service, it has worked alongside students and community partners to rehabilitate many deteriorating structures into inviting, affordable homes for our community. This event is one of ecoREHAB’s biggest fundraisers. Oktoberfest is a 21+ event that runs from 5 PM until 8 PM, with…