Lebanons Heart of Lebanon Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Decades-of-Music Festival

On Saturday, July 21, Lebanon, Indiana will transform its historic downtown into a time‑traveling concert hall, welcoming residents and visitors to a free Decades of Music Festival that marks the organization’s tenth year of Main Street success.

The four‑hour event kicks off at 6 p.m. in the Boone County Courthouse square and spills onto surrounding streets, offering a blend of live music, classic car displays, and themed drinks from local businesses. Three acts will each spotlight a distinct era of popular music: the Pride of Indy Jazz Ensemble will revive the 1920s‑40s sound at 6:30 p.m. in Alley‑Oop, the alley on the north side of the square; Bodacious will take the stage at 7 p.m. in the east lot of the Lebanon Police Department with hits from the 1950s‑70s; and Rockology Chicago will close the night at 8 p.m. on Meridian Street, spinning tracks from the 1980s‑2000s.

"We wanted a celebration that matched the energy of our milestone," said event coordinator Sarah Howell. "A festival that walks people through different decades feels fresh, and the lack of a precedent meant we could design something truly unique for Lebanon.” Howell added that the planning team had to prepare for a range of scenarios, given the absence of past attendance data or logistical benchmarks.

Rather than concentrating activity along Meridian Street, the festival’s layout deliberately spreads music zones across downtown. The intent is to encourage guests to stroll through the city, discovering local shops and eateries along the way. The new configuration turns the evening into a walking experience that showcases the character of downtown Lebanon.

Local businesses will play a starring role. Four Finger Distillery will serve a “Jazz Age” cocktail, blending bourbon with maple syrup, while Klooz Brewz will offer a “Retro Rock” IPA. Classic cars will be positioned near each music zone, adding a visual layer that complements the auditory journey.

The Heart of Lebanon became a Main Street organization in 2016 and has since expanded from roughly five seasonal events a year to more than 40 annual events. Executive Director Missy Krulik, whose organization holds national accreditation—a distinction earned by only a handful of Indiana Main Street groups—said the Decades of Music Festival is a key showcase for downtown Lebanon.

"Events like this highlight what our downtown has to offer and invite both residents and visitors to experience the community’s vibrancy," Krulik explained. "The goal is to let people see that Lebanon is a great place to live, work, and do business.”

Because the festival is new, the organizers had to draft a logistics plan from scratch. They coordinated with city officials to close Meridian Street between Main and Washington streets for the duration of the event, and arranged for signage and police presence to manage traffic flow, parking, and crowd control. Free parking remains available elsewhere downtown.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and sunscreen, as the event’s free admission lowers the barrier to entry and aims to draw a broad cross‑section of the community.

The City of Lebanon has approved the street closures and will provide police and volunteer support to ensure safety during the festival.

By drawing visitors to multiple corners of downtown, the festival seeks to boost foot traffic for local shops, restaurants, and services. The Heart of Lebanon’s leadership believes that increased exposure can translate into longer‑term economic benefits.

In short, the Decades of Music Festival will run Saturday, July 21, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., bringing together three musical acts that span the 1920s through the 2000s, local businesses, and classic car displays. Under the organization’s Main Street accreditation, the event is part of a broader effort to promote Lebanon’s downtown as a destination for residents and visitors alike.