Market
Momentum
Community, Food And Fun
Come Together For Plainfield
Farmers Market
FULL CIRCLE
PLAINFIELD NATIVE GAVIN
GRONINGER NAMED QUAKERS
HEAD BASKETBALL COACH
PUBLISHER
DARREN BOSTON darren@townepost.com (463) 278-7249
KEY CONTRIBUTORS MELISSA GIBSON
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (463) 842-1488
PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ERIN TURK
CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS
EDITOR JOSH BROWN
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT SKYLAR ANDERTON
DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER ERIC NEER
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011
FULL CIRCLE PLAINFIELD
NATIVE GAVIN GRONINGER NAMED QUAKERS HEAD BASKETBALL COACH
Writer / Melissa Gibson
He’s been in the role of assistant men’s basketball coach at Plainfield High School for years, but this fall, Gavin Groninger will take the helm as head coach.
As a third-generation Plainfield High School athlete, Groninger knew from a young age he’d be in the sports world in one way or another.
“My great-grandfather excavated the land for the first high school, which is now Central Elementary. My grandfather was an athlete at the high school, helped start the youth leagues here, and my dad played at Plainfield, then myself and my brother,” Groninger says. “Some played football and baseball, but we all played basketball.”
In high school, Groninger was a standout player on the 1999 Boys 3A State Championship team. His individual achievements include being named a 1999 Indiana All-Star and earning 1999 First Team All-State honors.
Groninger was selected to the 2024 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary Team.
After graduation, Groninger headed to the University of Michigan to play basketball, and once his college days were over, he returned to Plainfield to start his coaching career.
“When I decided I wanted to coach high school basketball, I really wanted a place I could put roots down. My wife’s family is from Plainfield, and my family is from Plainfield. I have four kids, and it just
Coach Gavin Groninger
made sense,” Groninger says. “There are still a lot of people here who were a big influence in my life, and I thought it’d be great to get back to my hometown.”
In fact, Groninger and his wife, Megan,
of 16 years, are raising more Plainfield athletes.
Charlee, Groninger’s 16-year-old daughter and volleyball player, attends the high school; his 13-year-old son,
Henry, plays basketball and football; his 8-year-old daughter, Indee, plays basketball; and his 4-year-old daughter, Millee’s, athletic passions are yet to be seen.
“Thank goodness for my parents and inlaws. They’re always helping get the kids to one thing or another. We’re grateful to have such a large family,” Groninger says.
After coaching at Plainfield High School for seven years, Groninger served as head coach in Mooresville for two years before returning to Plainfield this fall.
“The experience head coaching in Mooresville was a great opportunity. It’s close by, and I got to get my feet wet; to move over one seat and run my own program for a while,” Groninger says.
In his first year leading the Mooresville Pioneers, Groninger guided the program to a sectional championship — its first in 27 years.
Looking forward, he calls the Plainfield basketball program a “well-oiled machine.”
“Coach Andy Weaver has done a great job of building the culture here, and obviously I was able to help him with that, so I think moving forward, it’s more about keeping that culture, continuing to move things in the right direction and trying to improve each season,” Groninger says. “They had a great season last year, and I think we graduated seven from that team. There were a few great younger players who will return, so we’ll continue to build off that.”
Walking into his first workout this spring, Groninger says more than 30 athletes were in the gym, and several of them he knew as freshmen are now seniors.
He’s getting reconnected and meeting
Gavin’s love of basketball began at an early age
incoming younger players, already seeing the fire behind the high school athletes and their desire to give it all they’ve got.
“It’s a dedicated program with high expectations, and the kids are working really hard. You get that sense of competitiveness because many of them know there’s a chance to make varsity this fall, and they’re hungry to prove themselves,” Groninger says. More than the competitiveness and culture, however, the coach hopes to make an impact on the lives of each team member.
“Coaching is a tremendous opportunity to be a positive influence on kids. A lot of kids have parents who support them and want what’s best for them. I also had that, but what made a huge difference to me was that first person who believed in me outside of my family. The one who said, ‘You can do something special.’ That was Dana Green for me, my high school coach, so if I can do that for kids at Plainfield, that is a win as a coach,” Groninger says.
He says sports are a microcosm of life.
“You’re going to have ups and downs. You’re going to have peaks and valleys and highs and lows, and it can teach you that if you just keep moving forward, something positive can come out of it,” Groninger says. The basketball team is already beginning to work out, and Groninger is fully involved as the summer gets underway.
The official season runs from October through March, but exhibition games in
Gavin with Athletic Director, Torrey Rodkey
the summer reveal a lot about the new team.
“It’s great practice, and that’s when the college coaches are able to get out and see the kids play as well, so it’s a great opportunity,” Groninger says. “You’re building chemistry, and you’re figuring out who will play what next season.”
Groninger is thrilled to return to his hometown alongside other Plainfield graduates throughout the district, coaches who have inspired him, and neighbors who have rooted for him and his family for years.
“Plainfield is great. It’s a great town; the schools are great, the people are great, and you see a lot of familiar faces,” Groninger says. “I think it speaks to the community and just how this is a great place to raise a family. I’m excited to be back home and excited for this new opportunity. I’m filled with gratitude to be a part of this community and school corporation.”
MARKET MOMENTUM
COMMUNITY, FOOD AND FUN COME TOGETHER FOR PLAINFIELD FARMERS MARKET
Writer / Melissa Gibson
When you think of a farmers market, most of us think fresh produce, possibly a fun children’s activity and maybe some live music, but the Plainfield Farmers Market is so much more.
What began in 2008 with four vendors sitting in the Plainfield Ace Hardware parking lot has become a 95-vendor event held on the lawn of Plainfield Friends Church at U.S. 40 and State Road 267.
The first market of the season began May 20 and will continue each Wednesday evening from 4 to 7 p.m. through Sept. 16.
“We started earlier this year because several of our vendors reached out and said they have items for the spring season,”
Nichole Schmitt, event manager with the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce, says. “The farmers market has steadily grown over the years. In 2013, we had 36 vendors. In 2024, we had 75 and last year we had 80. This year, that number has gone up to 95.”
Schmitt says it’s a good mix of vendors, too. There is the expected fresh farm produce, but also flowers, packaged foods, beauty care products, a leather shop, pottery, 3D-printed designs, jewelry, dog accessories, bakery items and much more.
There are woodworkers, a local author with a latest book and Hendricks County honey and maple syrup producers.
“A few new ones this year include Dudley’s Toffee and Kim’s
Key Lime Cookies. We also have around 15 food and beverage vendors with a nice mix of smash burgers, Latin American cuisine, Southern food from Kych and boba vendors,” Schmitt says.
Not only can visitors to the market grab their produce for the week, shop for an upcoming birthday gift or home décor, they can also enjoy live music each week and dinner at the nearby picnic tables.
“I’ve heard several families talk about the kids and grandparents getting together on Wednesday evenings for dinner and shopping,” Schmitt says. “It’s a great way to connect with family and friends, and it’s always fun to see all the families gathering at the picnic tables.”
Live music is provided by new and seasoned farmers market musicians, including Mikey Goode, Peace Cats and Austin James, to name a few. Each week is themed, ranging from Wellness Day to the Back-to-School Celebration, and includes a special preview edition ahead of Hendricks County’s International Festival in August.
It’s become a long-standing tradition for many and, as you might expect, a farmers market serves more than one purpose.
Schmitt says there are economic benefits for the local community and a high return on investment. It’s shopping small
on a weekly scale.
Farmers are picking fresh produce that morning, and customers are able to bring home the best ingredients for their homecooked meals each week. The focus is on local farms, local artisans and local organizations, meaning the money stays local, too.
“There’s also dietary diversity,” Schmitt says. “Not only are you getting peak flavor and peak nutrition, but you can also try something new. Last year, I bought Swiss chard from one of our vendors. It’s grown locally in Indiana, and she gave me some different ways to prepare it. I had never had Swiss chard, but I really liked it, and it’s high in nutritional value.”
The price is fair, too. Customers receive quality products at a better price than many supermarkets, and many of the vendors accept WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers.
Just Be Kind, a youth club in Plainfield that benefits local needs, has partnered with the Hendricks County Community Foundation to create the Sprout Bucks program. Children and seniors can receive $3 in Sprout Bucks to purchase frozen foods, fresh honey and unprepared meats.
“We hope it cultivates healthy habits and supports local children ages 2-12 and seniors 65 and older. This year, they’ve increased the amount they’re able to give, and it helps with expenses while supporting healthy living,” Schmitt says.
On the vendor side, the farmers market gives local business owners an outlet and connection to their customer base, and it serves as a launching pad for many.
“We’ve seen several vendors become brick-and-mortar businesses. I think they like to use the market to test the waters, to see if the business is worth pursuing,” Schmitt says. “Double D’s Southern BBQ set up a table and a smoker for several years. Then they started catering, then they bought a food truck. Now, they’re a brick-and-mortar business in Clayton.”
Carole Makes is another market success story. She got her start with a table and her bunny rabbits — she uses their fur to spin and dye yarn. After attending markets for a time, she purchased a yarn truck and traveled all over the country before opening a brick-and-mortar location in Plainfield this year.
“The businesses are growing, the entire community is coming together and this is the largest market we’ve ever had,” Schmitt says. “It’s really a great family event you won’t want to miss.”
For a complete list of vendors and themed market days, visit plainfield-in.com/plainfield-chamber-farmers-market.
NIGHT AT THE PARK FIREWORKS EVENT
6570 E. U.S. Highway 36 Avon, IN 6-10 p.m. 7-12
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS VS. TOLEDO MUD HENS
501 W. Maryland St. Indianapolis, IN 7:05 p.m.
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE: I BUILT YOU A TOWER WORLD TOUR
700 W. Washington St.
BLACK CROWES & WHISKEY MYERS & SOUTHALL
12880 E. 146th St. Noblesville, IN 6:30 p.m.-12 a.m.
INDIANA FEVER VS. SEATTLE STORM
125 S. Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis, IN 7:30 p.m.
18
JOHN MELLENCAMP
12880 E. 146th St. Noblesville, IN
8 p.m.-12 a.m.
Parking is sold separately from concert tickets. You will need to purchase a parking pass if you plan to park at the venue. Please Note: There is a new seating layout for 2026!
19
BENSON BOONE: WANTED MAN TOUR
125 S. Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis, IN 8 p.m.
22
INDIANA FEVER VS. CONNECTICUT SUN
125 S. Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis, IN 8 p.m.
Sale Dates and Times: Public Onsale : Thu, 22 Jan 2026 at 02:00 PM Fever Presale : Thu, 22 Jan 2026 at 12:00 PM
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS VS. LEHIGH VALLEY IRONPIGS
501 W. Maryland St. Indianapolis, IN 7:05 p.m.
24-26
BRICKYARD WEEKEND OPENING DAY
4790 W. 16th St. Indianapolis, IN
One of the many special things about Brickyard Weekend is it’s an old-school, three-day NASCAR race weekend!
24
NASCAR DOUBLEHEADER AT LUCAS
OIL INDIANAPOLIS RACEWAY PARK
10267 E. U.S. Highway 136 Brownsburg, IN
1 p.m.
Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park has announced it will once again play host to the NACAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series on Friday, July 24, 2026.
25
5 SECONDS OF SUMMER & THE BAND CAMINO
12880 E. 146th St. Noblesville, IN
8 p.m.-12 a.m.
25-26
PENNZOIL 250 RACE DAY
4790 W. 16th St. Indianapolis, IN
The top young stars of the future in NASCAR will
take on some of the biggest names in the sport in the Pennzoil 250 Saturday, July 25 at IMS.
26
2026 BRICKYARD 400
4790 W. 16th St. Indianapolis, IN 2 p.m.
28
ZAYN: THE KONNAKOL TOUR
125 S. Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis, IN 8 p.m.
30-31 GEN CON
100 S. Capitol Ave. Indianapolis, IN
For over 55 years Gen Con has been the largest and longest-running gaming convention in North America.
ACROSS
1. Detect
5. Prods sharply
7. Exaggeratedly masculine
8. Defined region
9. Seepage
10. Shine
11. Bee’s liquid harvest
13. Single object
14. Carnivores, meat ...
18. Most painful
21. Cougar
22. Stood on hind legs
24. Terminate
25. Days of yore, the ...
26. Graceful bird
27. Clear
28. Refuse to admit
29. Wool clippers
DOWN
1. Throat capsule
2. Skilful
3. Piece of glowing coal
4. Frozen water spikes
5. Merrier
6. Sportsmen’s jackets
12. Ventilate
15. Flatter to excess
16. Precisely
17. Graze
19. Primary number
20. News
22. Splits apart
23. Supermarket lane
DOWNTOWN DISCOVERY
NEW NAME, SAME MISSION FOR PLAINFIELD’S HISTORIC DISTRICT
Writer / Melissa Gibson
Main Street Plainfield has undergone a few changes in the past few months. It’s got a new name but a similar mission.
Now rebranded as Discover Downtown Plainfield, the nonprofit organization is still all about supporting downtown Plainfield businesses, historic preservation, visual character and community.
“Our rebrand was done to help everyone understand our territory of promotion. We have plenty of businesses in Plainfield,
but our area is what’s considered downtown, starting at Hall-Baker Funeral Home and ending at the Al and Jan Barker Sports Complex, expanding a few blocks north and south from there,” Riley Trosper, executive director, says.
The message Discover Downtown Plainfield wants to convey, according to Trosper, is that there’s always something happening in downtown Plainfield that makes it worth the visit.
“Whether you’re catching a show or
going to trivia or bingo night at The Prewitt, taking a walk or a bike ride throughout the trail system, relaxing at an outdoor table at the Oasis Diner or enjoying breakfast at Mama Bird Bakery, downtown Plainfield offers something for all ages,” Trosper says.
Most recently, Discover Downtown Plainfield earned its Aspiring Indiana Accredited Main Street (IAMS) recognition. It’s the next step in the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) Downtown Affiliate Network and
National Main Street organizations.
It’s not just an accreditation to brag about, either. The benefits are farreaching.
“Once accredited, it opens up other possibilities to become a community exchange hub. It invites other communities to come in and see what we’re doing right and take that back to their communities,” Trosper says. “It also provides resources and more to our small businesses in Plainfield. The next step is to earn the Nationally Accredited Main Street (NAMS) accreditation.”
Some of those resources include the façade grants that have recently benefited
Doug Huff and his new business venture, Roots Market and Eatery. They were able to renovate the historic building with brickwork, painting, an outdoor awning, window restoration and a new staircase.
Further resources will continue to become available, helping small-business owners beautify the downtown area and improve their building façades and businesses in the future.
With a rebrand and the new accreditation, Discover Downtown Plainfield is heading in the right direction, but at the core of its mission, it simply exists to boost the economic vitality and community experience of downtown Plainfield.
“The Main Street America program revitalizes downtowns across the country. We work from an economic vitality standpoint with programming, promotion and events we host,” Trosper says. “We work alongside the PlainfieldGuilford Township Public Library, keeping the history of the downtown buildings and historic preservation initiatives at the forefront, and we work with local organizations such as nonprofits, the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Plainfield for the betterment of the overarching community.”
An eclectic mix of older homes and historic buildings standing next to new construction and modern design,
Plainfield is home to residents who remember what the businesses in those historic buildings were in the 1940s and ’50s.
“We want to honor those community members. The town is always changing and growing and evolving. We’re not going to stay the same, but we’re a community with great stories, a great history and some really cool, fun facts,” Trosper says. “We want to highlight this for those who live here and those who don’t. We want to encourage people to come and check it out for themselves.”
Discover Downtown Plainfield will also host several community events this year, both traditions and new opportunities.
“We held our first Purse Bingo fundraiser this spring and it was a huge success. I would look for a similar event coming up this fall,” Trosper says. “We’re working with the town on the Quaker Day Festival. In September, we’ll kick off with the last farmers market on Wednesday, then we’ll do a movie night on the lawn
DR. VICKI CRUM
— one for youth, another for seniors — on Thursday, and Friday will be a Music on Main event.”
Music on Main will feature two artists this year, with The American West Band headlining.
“We’ll also have food vendors, lawn games and people are welcome to grab a treat from the Frigid Frog next door,” Trosper says. “It’s a fun time to grab a blanket or lawn chairs, check out all downtown Plainfield has to offer and just be together.”
As the holiday season approaches, Trosper says the traditions begun by the Main Street organization will continue with Elves on the Loose, a scavenger hunt throughout downtown businesses; Light Up Main, a tree-lighting ceremony in Bicentennial Park; and more.
As Plainfield continues to grow, Discover Downtown Plainfield works on getting a finger on the pulse of the downtown area.
They’re compiling a list of businesses, owners and occupants on Main Street; the economic stability of the area; and who is drawn to the downtown space, with the goal of continuing to create a place business owners, residents and visitors want to come to and stay.
It takes a village, Trosper says.
“We always need volunteers. Our committees are open, so if someone is interested in organization, economic vitality, design or promotions, we’d love to have you. If all you have is a smaller time commitment, we always need people to help set up booths, check people in or simply walk in the Quaker Day Parade with us,” Trosper says. “We’ve got room for everyone to come in, stop by and find a spot for them.”
Follow Discover Downtown Plainfield on Facebook for historical facts, upcoming events and more.
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