Fire Up DWNTWN

PRESENTED BY

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2025 • 1–10 PM

Packed with engaging activities and attractions for the whole family, Fire Up DWNTWN is the can’t-miss, over-the-top-hot event of the season! With a mixture of hot air balloons, spicy foods, smokin’ ribs, live music, games, contests, and more, the summer’s peak extravaganza can’t come soon enough.

🔥 NEW DATE 🔥 MORE SIZZLE 🔥

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

IVY TECH STAGE
AT CANAN COMMONS

Sponsored by Ivy Tech Muncie

1–2 • Replaced by Robots

2:15–3:15 • Free Joel

3:30–4:30 • Smoking Horses

4:45–5:30 • Greg Rhodes

5:45–6:30 • On the One

6:45–7:45 • Bill Myers and the Trash Collectors

FREAKY TIKI STAGE
200 BLOCK OF S WALNUT

1:30–2:30 • Long Haul Paul

2:45–3:45 • Lovesick Moan

4–5 • Foxxy

5:15–6:30 • Jake Hendershot

6:45–8:30 • Doc’s Little Chicago Band

CARDINAL COMMUNITY STAGE
AT WALNUT & MAIN

Sponsored by Ball State University

1–2 • DJ

2–2:30 • Police vs. Fire Rib Eating Contest
Sponsored by First Merchants Bank

2:45–3:15 • Hot Pepper Eating Contest
Sponsored by The Clubhouse Muncie

3:30–3:45 • Muncie Civic Theatre Performance

4–5 • Rock Star Bingo

6–8 • DWNTWN IDOL

HOT AIR BALLOONS

Subject to weather conditions

SPECIAL SHAPES • 6–10

Parrot Pete • Lofts at Roberts parking lot
Sponsored by Destination: Muncie

Chris P Bacon • Mark III parking lot
Sponsored by JohnTom’s BBQ

Finley the Fish • Canan Commons
Sponsored by The Star Press

Lil D • Canan Commons
Sponsored by Woof Boom

Ellie the Elephant • Old National Bank lot
Sponsored by Mad Sweet Freeze Dried Candy

Balloon Glow Show & Fly Over • at dusk
Sponsored by MITS

TETHERED RIDES • 6–10

$20 ticket • at The Clubhouse parking lot (Walnut & Main) and Canan Commons
Sponsored by The Clubhhouse Muncie and Intersection

TWINKLE BASKETS • at dusk

Get up close and feel the heat with balloon baskets at the Walnut roundabout
Sponsored by The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County and NASH FM

ACTIVITIES & SHOWS

12–6 • Get Revved Up Motorcycle Show
Adams Street
Sponsored by Architectural Restoration

1–10 • Liquid Fire Iron Pour
Howard Street
Sponsored by Destination: Muncie

1–10 • The Human Library
Charles Street

1–10 • Alley Dancing
Dave’s Alley

1–10 • Kid’s Area Activities: Toy Story Bounce, Fire Combo, Wall of Fire
Near Canan Commons

1–6 • Red Hot Children’s Express Train
Canan Commons
Sponsored by The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County

1–6 • Euro Bungee and Rock Wall
The Clubhouse parking lot (Walnut & Main)
Sponsored by The Clubhouse Muncie

1–6 • Just Jeepin’ Smokin’ Hot Cruise-In
Old National Bank parking lot
Sponsored by Lamar Advertising

1–6 • Street Survivor Show Off (Van Show)
Mark III parking lot

1–2 • Yard Games with EGTI
Canan Commons

3–6 • Aerial Annex performance
Canan Commons

3:15–3:45 • Water Balloon Fight: Police vs. Fire + Kids
Canan Commons

4:30–5 • Inflatable Costume Relay
Canan Commons

5:45–6:15 • Line Dancing
Canan Commons

8–10 • Fire Spinners and LED Dancers
DeFur Voran entry

Fireworks following the Balloon Glow Show
Sponsored by Meridian Health Services

DWNTWN BUSINESS EVENTS

1925 PubHouse • Specials: Jalapeno Margaritas, Fire Cracker Shrimp Tacos • 3:30–6 Happy Hour featuring Long Island Ice Tea

Downtown Nutrition • 10–6 • Fire Up Drink special

Fox & Sparrow • Cool temporary tattoos!

HeidiJHale • 4–6 • Delaware County Fair Queen and Court passing out tiaras

Ink Drinkers Anonymous • 2–4 Book signing by Emma Humfleet • Free popsicles and book give aways • 12–3 Rejuvenate Muncie with $5 B12 shots

Ivy Tech • 11–3 • Enrollment Event: Ignite Your Future

Kats Crystals and Curiosities • Tarot Reading and Geode Slicing

KidsPeace • Friendship Bracelets

Made in Muncie • Pottery Throwing Demo

Patterson Block • Euchre Tournament, free yoga by Sacred Steps, all businesses open and ready to serve you!

Perfect Fit Plus • Wine and Cheese event with tour of the Fire and Ice facility

Toys Forever • Lego Walk of Fire, Gumball Guessing game

Vera Mae’s Bistro • Peach Burbon BBQ Ribs and Bar Service

FOOD VENDORS

Pork Paradise
Tee Garden Concessions
The Clubhouse Muncie
Fresh Market Treats
Ribs Express
Indy BBQ
The Food Vault
Stix LLC
Three Bears Concessions
La Ptrona
Maucky's
The Sip Squad
The Barking Cow
Taqueria Cruz
Vera Mae’s Bistro
Danielle’s Popcorn
Git R Done
Everbowl
Red Trailer Shake Ups
A Team Concessions
Mad Sweet Treats
Iceberg Ice Cream
Chef Steve LLC
The Bearded Baker
Pitmaster Bluebird and Son
East Central Neighborhood
Porkopolis
GR8 Creations
Yard Bird
Legacy Village
Boulder Falls
Downtown Farm Stand
Dee's Creations

MUNCIE MAKERS MARKET VENDORS

Ashanti’s Garden
Batten’s Grateful Acres
Captain Clementine's
Casey’s Cakes
Coop’s Creations
Copper Viking
Crosby Family Art
Diamond Organics
Dizzles Drizzles
Dog Treats with Eros
Elizabethtown Farms
Enchanted Plants by Laurie
Gifted Gourmet
Goofy Gremlin Goods
JE Jewelry Works
Jewelry Creations by Chris Reum
Kari’s Essentials
Knotty Girl Creations
Ninos' Notes Custom Journals, Notebooks & More
Ohmugawd!
Pudgy Wizard Printing
QuakenMake Crafts
Round Rock Farm
Roxy Resin
ScrapCycle
Sparky’s Corner Greenhouse
Stargazing
SunRheas Jewelry
Thai Sbu
The 13th Stitch
The Cottage House
The Crafty Bee
The McHellyeah Workshop
The Pie Lady
Transformed By Shane

EVENT SCHEDULE

Download Event Map

Sizzlin’ Spectacles

Liquid Fire Iron Pour & Workshop
Sponsored by Destination: Muncie

1:00–10:00 W Howard St at Walnut St
Materials provided by Grede

Just Jeepin’ Cruise-In
Sponsored by Lamar Advertising

1:00–4:00 Old National lot (Charles & Walnut)

Motorcycle Show
Sponsored by Architectural Restoration

1:00–8:00 E Adams St

Red Hot Express Children’s Train
Sponsored by The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County

1:00–5:00 Canan Commons

Muncie Makers Market
1:00–10:00 Walnut St

AMA Trailer
1:00–10:00 W Charles St

Euro Bungee
1:00–5:00 The Clubhouse lot

Under the Sea Inflatable
1:00–9:00 W Adams St

Bumper Cars
1:00–9:00 W Charles St

Muncie Fencing Club Demo
1:45–2:00 Canan Commons

Aerial Annex Performance
3:00–5:00 S Walnut St

Community Water Balloon Fight
with MPD and MFD
3:30–3:45 Canan Commons

Bob’s Balloon Twist
4:00–8:00 DeFur Voran lot

Ball State Athletics Demo
5:00–5:15 Canan Commons

Fire Spinners
8:00–10:00 DeFur Voran

Fireworks Finale
After Glow Show Parking garage

Live Music & Entertainment

Cardinal Community Stage at Main & Walnut
Sponsored by Ball State University

1:30–2:00 MPD vs MFD Rib Eating Contest

2:00–2:15 Muncie Civic Theatre Performance

2:30–4:00 RockStar Bingo

4:00–5:00 Hot Wing Eating Contest
Sponsored by The Clubhouse

5:30–8:30 DWNTWN IDOL Round 2
Sponsored by First Merchants Bank

Ivy Tech Muncie Stage at Canan Commons
Sponsored by Ivy Tech Muncie

1:00–1:45 JANSEN

2:10–3:20 Smoking Horses

3:45–4:50 White Lies & The Half Truth

5:15–6:20 Foxxy

6:45–8:00 The Fierce

Freaky Tiki Stage Songwriters Showcase
Casa Mexican Grill lot

1:00–1:45 Tyler Williams

2:00–2:45 Cari Campbridge

3:00–3:45 Kathy Yuhl

4:00–4:45 Kat Nightingale

5:00–5:45 Joel Gragg

6:00–6:45 Matt Ruddick

7:00–7:45 Cole Ruder

8:00–10:00 Doc Peterson &
the Little Chicago Band

Hot Air Balloons

Remote Control Balloons & Cloudhopper
Sponsored by Wealth Strategies, Inc.

7:00–10:00 Old National lot (Charles & Walnut)

Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides
Purchase your $20 ticket now!

7:00–Glow Lofts at Roberts lot (S Walnut St)

Special Shape Hot Air Balloons

7:00–10:00 (Inflate around 8:30)

Peanut the Elephant
Sponsored by The Clubhouse Muncie
The Clubhouse lot (Main & Walnut)

Finley the Fish
Sponsored by 3Rivers Federal Credit Union
Canan Commons

Lil D
Sponsored by Woof Boom Radio
Canan Commons

IVO
Sponsored by Mad Sweet
Walnut & Charles lot

BOO the Ghost
Sponsored by MDDP
Canan Commons

Twinkle Baskets
Sponsored by The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County and NASH FM

7:00–10:00 S Walnut St roundabout

Hot Air Balloon Glow Show
Sponsored by MITS

Dusk Throughout DWNTWN

1925 PubHouse: Spicy Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita special
Aw Yeah Comics: Sizzling sales on bunches of comics and pop culture items
Bash Cos-Medic Studio: Visual displays of before and after Sizzling sales on bunches of comics and pop culture items! Get fired up - there’s something for everyone at Aw Yeah!
Carrie Wright Silks: Fire Up-themed sticker sheets, vintage bandanas designed by Dan, and Muncie mugs and tumblers
Downtown Nutrition: Fire Up Mega Tea and local vendors featured inside the shop (10 AM–6 PM)
The Downtown Farm Stand: Organic cocktails, mocktails, and farm-to-table meals spotlighting locally sourced ingredients
HeidiJHale Designs: Limited-edition Fire Up jewelry, live design demos, permanent jewelry, and local artisan collections
Ink Drinkers Anonymous: All-day Book Swap and “Blind Date with a Book” experience
Inland Interiors: Massive sidewalk and storewide sale, debut of new Fire Up items, and free popsicles for kids
Ivy Rose Boutique: Sidewalk sale, $10–$20 racks, and “Boutique Bingo” with over 30 prizes

DWNTWN Business Events & Specials

Kat’s Crystals and Curiosities: Live Geode Slicing in partnership with Wook’s Workshop, 11% off storewide
Little Chicagos Italian Restaurant: Pizza by the slice and non-alcoholic beverages
Made in Muncie: Outdoor pottery throwing and in-studio experiences
Mirabel Jewelry: Jewelry Sale
Old National Bank: Prizes and giveaways
Patterson Building: Marketplace with vendor booths and live craft demos (1–6 PM)
Record Parlor: 10% off used vinyl and bottles of exclusive “Charles Street Heat” hot sauce
The Clubhouse Muncie: Spicy shrimp boils and classic hurricane cocktails in DORA cups. Full bar, inside and out
The Jaunty Lady: Sidewalk sale with fashionable finds
The Parlour: Fragrance Shampoo and House Goods Sale
Toys Forever Models and Hobbies: Family-friendly Lego Walk of Fire, toy demos, glow-in-the-dark gadgets, jellybean guess, and antique ice cream making
Vera Mae’s Bistro: Spicy Sangria and Buttermilk Fried Duck Tenders with duck fat fries and saffron rouille

The Frozen Boulder

Indy BBQ

Legacy Village

The Barking Cow

Get Baked

PitMaster Bluebird and Son

Old Washington St Festival

Danielle's Funnel Cakes

Red Trailer Shakeups

Yardbird

GR8 Creation

Iceberg Ice Cream

Lili Farms LLC

Pitas Tamales y Flautas

Food Vendors

Mad Sweet Treats

Ribs Express

La Patrona

Styx

Outlaws Deep Fried Chicken

Maucky's

Everbowl

Amira's Bakery

Sip Squad

Three Bears Concessions

A-Team

Downtown Farm Stand

The Clubhouse Muncie

Bearded Baker

Double E and J

Drinks Vendors

Mr Mouse

The Guardian Brewing

Elm Street Brewing

Downtown Farm Stand

Cultured Urban Winery

Special Shape Hot Air Balloons, Glow Show & Balloon Baskets

Meet larger-than-life hot air balloon characters, sponsored by Clubhouse Bar & Grill, MadSweets, Woof Boom Radio, and 3Rivers FCU, and watch as they glow in an exciting evening show, sponsored by MITS. Experience the heat up close as you pull the trigger on the flames of a hot air balloon basket, sponsored by The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County and NASH FM.

Hot Air Balloon Tethered Rides

Purchase your ticket and reach for the sky! Take a tethered hot air balloon ride and get a one-of-a-kind view of the festivities.

NEW! Remote Control Hot Air Balloons

Get close to the action with four 20-foot-tall remote control hot air balloons, sponsored by Wealth Strategies, Inc. Watch with excitement as a “Cloudhopper” balloon attempts a dramatic ascent above the crowd.

Sizzlin’ Spectacles

Don’t miss the Liquid Fire Iron Pour, sponsored by Destination: Muncie, materials provided by Grede, as metals artisans practice their ancient craft and work on an exciting new project called “Pedestrian Ironworks”.

For $20, join the Culture Maker Studio’s Iron Art Workshop and carve your own sand block to create an iron casting. Hurry, only the first 50 people will get to participate!

Live Music & Entertainment

Enjoy local and regional music acts, the DWNTWN IDOL Round 2 performance, performance sponsored by First Merchants Bank, and more exciting events. Cardinal Community Stage sponsored by Ball State University, Canan Commons Stage sponsored by Ivy Tech Muncie.

Taste the Heat

We’ll have several food vendors serving up delectable ribs, delicious BBQ, and many more unique treats. Need to cool off? Stop in at one of our many fantastic restaurants DWNTWN and sample our local fare.

Extreme Eating

The friendly rivalry continues this year with the MPD vs MFD Rib Eating Contest!

And So Much More…

Check out the Just Jeepin’ Cruise-In, sponsored by Lamar Advertising, and motorcycle & van shows. Shop with local vendors at the Muncie Makers Market. Get your thrill on the euro bungee and bumper cars. Check out the Kid’s HotSpot and the Red Hot Children’s Express train, sponsored by The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County. Finish off the night by taking in the fireworks finale.

Join the action

Food Vendor

Business/Activitiy Vendor

NEW THIS YEAR!

DWNTWN IDOL

Bring your voice to Fire Up DWNTWN and show us what you got!
Join the live talent show on the Walnut & Main Street stage on Saturday, September 21 from 6–8 pm.

DWNTWN IDOL will be done in a karaoke format and contestants enter with their music selection from KaraFun by September 11.

A panel of three judges will choose the winner the top three participants. Trophies will be awarded for the top three and a CASH grand prize for the performer(s) chosen as DWNTWN IDOL.

Performers may also choose to accompany themselves on an acoustic guitar or electric piano. For ease of set up and transitions, these are the only 2 formats that will be considered. A monitor will NOT be provided, so you must know your lyrics. If lyric assistance is required, please bring your own iPad or phone.

Contestants will be contacted the week of September 16 with their performance time. Please be sure that you check your email. Details will be sent concerning greenroom, arrival time, parking details and general flow of the day.

If we do not fill enough spots in each category or we have a no show, walk ups will be accepted as time allows.