Summer Bash Indiana
Indiana’s ONLY ALL INCLUSIVE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Our mission is to be Indiana's first and best All-Inclusive Outdoor Music Festival.
Summer Bash started in 2013 as a get together with friends in our front yard. we rented a stereo system from Rent-A-Center and grilled up some food. There were about 25 of us that first year. In 2014, because of a death in the family, we didn’t throw a party at all.
In 2015, we threw the Summer Bash again. It was also the first year we had live music, playing on mowing trailers in the front yard. Our attendance went up to about 60 that year. In 2016, we threw the Summer Bash to our biggest crowd yet, almost 100 people. Word was starting to get out about this party.
In 2017, everything changed. A chance encounter with an ad on Facebook, a missed concert, and a canceled headliner added up to lead us to our biggest breakthrough yet. 2017 was the year we introduced Indiana to The Native Howl. Our turnout that year was closing in on 125… in a front yard!!!! We decided we needed to explore other options for space.
In 2018, we discovered Walnut Grove Campgrounds in Boggstown,IN, through social media and a bit of luck. We spoke with the owners, and conveyed our ideas and our hopes. They were 100% on board, and we started planning the biggest bash yet. We brought The Native Howl back, and brought another band in from Michigan, The Gasoline Gypsies. We talked about maybe opening the Bash to the public, as it had always been a private event. We decided to wait and see how the campground experience was, and it was a SMASH hit, as we hosted almost 200 people.
In 2019, we opened the Summer Bash Indiana to everyone, and we hoped that people would come out and experience what has been described as ” a family reunion with people you’ve never met.” Over 400 people were not disappointed. It was one hell of a family reunion. Probably better than most normal family reunions. Friends were made, stories were told and created. Summer Bash Indiana was rated 5.0/5.0 stars on Facebook for a reason!
2020, the year of Covid-19. We managed to secure the campground for a third year, and we were stoked. We had to go through almost a million hoops to get the permitting and allowance to even throw the party. But alas, persistence prevailed. We were able to throw the party again, with reduced capacity, notices, and warning signs enforcing social distancing. However, even through all of the struggle, and hardships we faced, we threw an incredible Bash, and hosted over 300 people. It was an insane weekend full of wild times, and amazing live music.
2021 was the first year at the new venue, The Water Bowl in Muncie. Complete with a lake and beach, it allowed us to throw our most ambitious party to date. Plus for the first time, we added a 2nd stage, which allowed us to bring 20 bands from all over the country and they got an amazing reception! We made sure to go out of our way to keep everyone safe, and the event was a SMASH success!
2022 saw Summer Bash Indiana come in to its own! We returned to the Water Bowl with renewed energy to bring you the best original independent music the country has to offer! With several returning bands, there was also no lack of new talent! A couple of first happened at Summer Bash Indiana 2022, we cooked all the food and activities extended to include Thursday night! New faces experienced what we’ve all been saying for years…“BEST PARTY OF THE SUMMER!!!”
In 2023 as we return to the water bowl, we are celebrating a huge milestone… 10 years!!! We have several special things in the making and want to make this the best Summer Bash Indiana to date. We look forward to seeing all the returning faces who have become family and plenty of new faces to introduce all Summer Bash Indiana has to offer!!!!
