INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The annual Indy Juneteenth Festival brought networking, business, and artistic opportunities to attendees on Saturday afternoon.

The celebrations started with the annual parade beginning at 10 a.m., and the festival began at noon.

The festival featured food trucks, games, vendors, and bounce houses, but it isn’t just a good time for some.

“Do you know how many people that are not aware of this particular holiday, so to hold events like this and to get people aware, and to be embracing and get people involved in this culture, that’s freedom,” Miss Indy Juneteenth 2024 Rachelle Jackson said.

Much of that freedom was expressed through art at the festival.

“I performed a song I wrote called ‘In Living Color,’ it’s a song that is inspired by today’s times,” artist Curtis Gaedie, or Pisces the Poet, said, after performing at the festival.

The spirit of the holiday was also expressed through business opportunities.

DeShonda Patterson is the owner of Different Day Baked Goods.

“You name it, I can bake it,” Patterson said. “This is a great opportunity for me to get our family business’ name out there.”

P Styled Kreations owner Pernecia Ferguson said she is grateful for the opportunity to sell her upcycled denim pieces and customized jewelry at the festival. It’s her third year there.

“I customize my own jewelry, I upcycle blue jean jackets, I repurpose jackets.” Ferguson said.

The festival also offered a chance for some parents to pass along traditions to their children.

Kwashaad Smith, who lives on the west side of Indianapolis, brought his second grade son out for the fun.

“It means everything, because we got on stage to rock the mic together,” Smith said.

The Indianapolis Colts need help at safety. Justin Simmons, one of the NFL’s best players at the position, is currently a free agent. With that said, a Simmons-to-Indy scenario just makes a ton of sense.

Surprisingly, Simmons is still available. After the Denver Broncos released him in March, you would think he would’ve signed with another team by now. But obviously, that hasn’t happened yet. Justin Simmons is an immensely talented Pro-Bowler who could immediately upgrade the Colts secondary.

Indianapolis Colts Need to Land Free Agent Safety Justin Simmons

Justin Simmons’ Football Career

After playing his college ball at Boston College, Justin Simmons was selected by the Broncos in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He went on to have an astounding eight-year career in Denver. Simmons earned two Pro Bowl nods and was named a four-time Associated Press second-team All-Pro. He also earned an NFL Top 100 selection three times. In addition, he was a three-time nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.

Justin Simmons had several outstanding plays during his time with the Broncos. He came up with game-winning interceptions versus the Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders in 2017, the Miami Dolphins in 2020, and the Washington Commanders during the 2021 season. Perhaps his most memorable play came in 2016 when he blocked an extra point against the New Orleans Saints. Fellow safety Will Parks ultimately returned it as Denver won the game.

Simmons is the league’s only player to record at least three interceptions in each of the past six seasons. He tied for the NFL lead in interceptions during the 2022 season.

2023 was a Pro Bowl campaign for Simmons. The Florida native produced 70 tackles, three interceptions, eight passes defended, two forced fumbles, and a sack.

Why Indianapolis Should Sign Him

The Colts selected a pair of designated safeties (Jaylon Carlies and Jaylin Simpson) in the fifth round of this year’s draft. However, both players are moving to different positions. Carlies will play linebacker while Simpson switches to cornerback. Therefore, the Colts really didn’t address the safety position via the draft.

Indianapolis did re-sign Julian Blackmon this offseason, though. While he’s guaranteed to start at strong safety, the free safety spot is up for grabs. Daniel Scott, who was competing for a starting spot, suffered a season-ending injury this spring for the second consecutive year.

Simmons would be perfect for the job. Although he’s 30 years old, he hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. He and Blackmon could form a dynamic one-two punch this upcoming season. Plus, Simmons could mentor Indy’s young safeties like 22-year-old Nick Cross.

After signing all nine of their draft picks, the Colts currently have about $25 million in cap space. That means they have enough money to sign Simmons, whose expected salary is roughly $11 million.

It’s unclear whether Colts general manager Chris Ballard will add a veteran safety this offseason or rely on young players like Cross and Rodney Thomas II. But if he chooses to go that route, Justin Simmons needs to be the guy.

Main Photo Credit: Syndication: The Indianapolis Star

INDIANAPOLIS – Some of the best swimmers in the world will soon jump off the starting block. And at the end, 52 swimmers will make Team USA and head to Paris.

But it all started with a big party Friday night in downtown Indy.

“It’s great. Just the atmosphere is crazy – like the Eiffel Tower and stuff,” said Luke Tysdal, a fan from Texas.

The Circle City is once again on the world stage, bringing Team USA fans from far and wide up close to Olympic hopefuls.

“We went to the trials three years ago in Omaha and he’s a swimmer so he’s already gotten a few pictures and autographs,” said Deanna Tysdal.

Indiana Sports Corp. estimates the city will see about 200,000 visitors over the next nine days of swimming trials, and what better way to welcome them than with a “starting block party?”

“We want to go above and beyond, show them how Indianapolis takes events to the next level, and get things started with a bang,” said Sam Reel with Indiana Sports Corp.

Just below the 66-foot Eiffel Tower replica at the intersection of Georgia Street and Capitol Avenue, you’ll find a unique, swim-themed mural made of artificial turf – a fitting complement to the very first Olympic pool inside an NFL stadium.

“I think it’s only appropriate that a hundred years ago, the swimming trials were held in Broad Ripple pool here in Indianapolis, and the 1924 Olympics were in Paris, France,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said. “So a hundred years later, we’re recreating the same thing.”

It’s been a big year for sports in Indianapolis so far, one that Mayor Joe Hogsett hopes will further propel the city’s reputation forward.

“I don’t think it’s overstating it to say that we’re on the verge of becoming the world’s sports capital,” Hogsett added.

The rest of the country, at least, is taking notice.

“You’ve got Caitlin Clark here. The Pacers have a great legacy here. The Colts do as well,” said Luke Martens, who traveled from Chicago for the swimming trials. “It’s such a great sports city, probably one of the top five, top ten in America.”

It’s welcome excitement for longtime Hoosiers too.

“Anything that brings more interest and attention to the city, in a positive light, is great,” said Indianapolis resident Cory Sullivan.

Indiana Sports Corp. said tickets are still available and they’re hoping to fill the stadium every day until all 52 Team USA swimmers are named.

“I’m looking forward to the nail-biting finishes. I’m looking forward to people dropping American records, maybe even world records, we’ll just have to see,” Martens added.