The free Neighborhoods Pool Party Tuesday at Tuhey Park made quite a splash with families!

The event was hosted by Muncie Action Plan, with help from Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement, Shafer Leadership Academy, Woof Boom Radio, and the City of Muncie. 

When they weren’t in the pool, partygoers played yard games and “Muncie Bingo,” and enjoyed pizza, beverages, and popsicles. Kids received some cool summertime swag – beach balls and bubbles. 

Prizes for the bingo winners included Minnetrista memberships, Holiday World passes, WLBC totes, and more! And parents and caregivers received the gift of very sleepy kiddos after a high-energy evening.

Need something to do in August? Check out a BSU event!

Nervous about visiting campus? Take a look at the Office of Community Engagement’s handy Getting to Campus resource for parking/public transit information!

Click the links for more information. Some events may be off-campus or have registration requirements.

Friday, August 4, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: He Built This City: The Muncie Architecture of Cuno Kibele – 10 a.m.

Monday, August 14, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: Dementia Friends – 2 p.m. at Westminister Village

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: Cold Case Muncie – 6:30 p.m. at EB Ball

Thursday, August 17, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: Sherlock Holmes and the Beginning of Modern Forensics – 6:30 p.m.

Friday, August 18, 2023

Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “We Are Stars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 19, 2023

Rinard Orchid Greenhouse & Nature Lab: Weeks of Welcome Program – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “Summer Skies Live” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “We Are Stars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Monday, August 21, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: Presidential Mothers – 2 p.m. at Westminister Village

Thursday, August 24, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: America’s Hometown Band – 7 p.m.

Friday, August 25, 2023

Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “We Are Stars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “Summer Skies Live” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “We Are Stars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Monday, August 28, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: A Feeling of Justice: Mapping Civil Rights History in Indiana – 6 p.m.

Partial Solar Eclipse Community Block Party – Volunteers and Booths needed!

mostly black photo with the beginning of an eclipse centered in the frame

event information written by Dayna Thompson, Director of the Charles W. Brown Planetarium

When: Saturday: Oct. 14, from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Who:
 Everyone is invited!
Cost: FREE! (suggested cash donation of $5 accepted at registration table)
Where: The Quad at Ball State University (bordered by North Quad, the Fine Arts Building, and the Cooper Science Complex) & the Charles W. Brown Planetarium 
(inclement weather location: Fine Arts Building Recital Hall)

Experience the partial solar eclipse at Ball State University’s Community Block Party as you partake in hands-on science and art activities, and observe the sky safely during the day with telescopes and free solar eclipse glasses (while supplies last). Join us out in nature as we come together during this celebration that includes a bounce house, family activities, music, and more!

Sign up to host a station at the event with your unit or organization, OR
sign up to work a volunteer shift at the event by Friday, September 30.

This event is planned during the annular solar eclipse visible by only a small fraction of the world (weather permitting, with proper eye protection). While we will not see the full annular event at Ball State, we have the chance to see a partial solar eclipse. The partial solar eclipse begins at 11:41 a.m., and the Moon will continue to block out more of the Sun until maximum occurs at 1:03 p.m. The partial solar eclipse will then end at 2:28 p.m.

This will be a great experience to help get us excited for the Total Solar Eclipse coming to Muncie on April 8, 2024—an amazing and rare opportunity for our community!

ACTIVTIES & PROGRAMS

  • Free Ball State solar eclipse glasses (while supplies last)
  • Hands-on science and art activities and stations
  • Boot Camp Challenge Inflatable Obstacle Course, crewed by Ball State’s ROTC
  • Solar telescopes (weather permitting)
  • Live-streaming of the eclipse from the path of annularity
  • Planetarium Shows (11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm)
  • Information about the Total Solar Eclipse coming to Muncie on April 8, 2024

Remember, you need proper eye protection to safely watch solar eclipses. Learn more about this solar eclipse and others online at www.bsu.edu/planetarium/eclipse-2024.

This event is made possible by the Charles W. Brown Planetarium and the Office of Community Engagement at Ball State University, with partial support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

2023 $2 Tour of the Village is back!

Header Image for the event that gives the event details written out below and shows a man giving the peace-sign after getting dunked last year

Looking for something fun to do or just want to see what the Village has to offer? 

When: August 26 from 4-8 PM
Where: The Village in Muncie

2023 $2 Tour flier (pdf)

Live music and huge discounts on items ranging from FREE to just $2!

The Riverside-Normal City neighborhood association is excited to host a $2 tour of the Village! Participating Village merchants will be offering $2 items that range from an Art Mart goodie bag to a hard-shell taco at Chavas or a $2 t-shirt from Screenbroidery. Live music will begin at 4:00 PM on a stage at the intersection of Dill St and University Ave.

This event will showcase local village businesses while promoting the Riverside-Normal City neighborhood and its unique features, like the neighborhood’s prime location between Ball State, downtown Muncie, and Minnetrista!

Bonus:

  • The first 500 attendees will receive a Village Passport.  Collect 5 stamps to be eligible for prizes donated by participating Village merchants.
  • The first 100 attendees will receive a $2 bill!

Sponsors:

This free event is sponsored by Ball State University, Ball Brothers Foundation, Muncie Action Plan, Muncie Map Company, and the Riverside-Normal City Neighborhood Association.

Be My Neighbor Day returns June 10 to downtown Muncie

Two little girls hold signs saying why they love Muncie nexted to a graphic with information on Be My Neighbor Day

Welcome back, Neighbors!

MUNCIE – Won’t you be our neighbor?

Ball State PBS’s Be My Neighbor Day is returning to downtown Muncie!

Join Daniel Tiger for an afternoon of free fun 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at Canan Commons. The event will also include more than 20 booths (neighbors) offering hands-on activities – from sunflower planting to rock painting to puppet making – for the whole family.

This will be the first in-person Be My Neighbor Day since 2019 (the fifth anniversary) and the start of the pandemic (in 2020).

“We are so excited to bring Be My Neighbor Day back as an in-person event this summer,” said Dr. Phil Hoffman, General Manager of Ball State PBS. “We have really missed seeing all of our neighbors together, enjoying a beautiful day in the neighborhood!”

Highlights:

  • Meet Daniel Tiger!
  • Dance along to music by the Atomic Sharks!
  • Visit our great neighbors from arts organizations, community centers and other awesome non-profit groups!
  • Enjoy performances by Muncie Ballet and Youth Symphony Orchestra, too!
  • Pick up your very own Be My Neighbor Day tote bag packed with goodies!

Based on the animated PBS KIDS show “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” and with a nod to “Mister Rogers Neighborhood,” this event focuses on the importance of being neighborly.

Be My Neighbor Day is presented by Ball State PBS, Midas, and the Ball State Office of Community Engagement, with major support from Wilhoite Family Dental, Lifestream Services, The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inspire Academy, and Heart of Indiana United Way.

For more information, go to www.ballstatepbs.org.

Past Event: Community ESL Classes

screen cap of esl flier

Ball State’s Intensive English Institute is working with Jacqueline Hanoman at the Ross Community Center to offer FREE ESL classes to the community!

October 5, 2021 to December 17, 2021
Ross Community Center
1110 W. 10th Street

Class size is limited to 8 students for each class.
Please register before October 5, 2021
by calling: 765.747.4741

For more information, check out the flier in English | Arabic | Chinese | Spanish