City of Lawrence, Indiana - Government

09/04/2026

WE’RE PUTTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER!

We’re thrilled to announce the 2026 music lineup for Lawrence BBQ & Blues!

The Blues Brothers Triumphant Tribute
Highway 9 Blues Band
The Late Night Revelators
Django Knight

Join us Saturday, September 12, from 4–8 p.m. at the Fort Ben Cultural Campus for an evening of live music and great food!

Bring your friends, bring your appetite and get ready to BBQ & Blues!

09/04/2026

We’re excited to announce the first group of vendors joining us for Lawrence BBQ & Blues 2026!

RMY'S Soul/Comfort Food Mobile Kitchen And Catering
Heavenly BBQ
MJ's Backyard BBQ and Catering
Tychinn Catering
Foster's Café & Catering
It's Those Egg Rolls
Colonel Mustard Catering, Inc.
R&R Extreme Wings
Terri’s Tastee Treats
Sweets By Charlotte
Hoosier Philly Ice
Chef Manda's Bakery
Twisteddaqs

We’ll have more vendor announcements coming soon, along with the Lawrence BBQ & Blues performance lineup.

We’re just 8 days away! Join us Saturday, September 12, from 4–8 p.m. at the Fort Ben Cultural Campus for an evening of great food, blues and fun.

09/03/2026

The following statement should be attributed to Mayor Deb Whitfield, City of Lawrence:

“I want to acknowledge the concerns that many members of our community may be experiencing regarding immigration enforcement and the presence of ICE. Our responsibility is to provide accurate information, remain calm and ensure that everyone in our community is treated with dignity and respect.

The City of Lawrence has a clear policy regarding the Lawrence Police Department’s interaction with federal immigration authorities. Our officers will cooperate only when presented with a court-issued warrant for arrest. The incident yesterday met that standard, and the Lawrence Police Department provided assistance in accordance with that warrant and our established policy.

It is important to be clear that our police department does not become involved in immigration enforcement based solely on an individual’s immigration status. Our officers have a responsibility to uphold the law and protect public safety, and yesterday’s response was consistent with those responsibilities.

Lawrence is a welcoming community. Our Administration is committed to public safety while also ensuring that all of our neighbors—regardless of their background—feel welcomed, respected and safe. We will continue to follow our policies, provide accurate information and serve our entire community with professionalism and dignity.”

09/02/2026

My Dad's Sweet Corn will still be at the Fort Ben Farmers Market site this Thursday!

While this week’s Farmers Market has been canceled due to the extreme heat, My Dad’s Sweet Corn will be set up and selling fresh corn during the regular market hours, 4–7 p.m.

Stop by and stock up while they have it!

09/02/2026

Come meet the Lawrence Advisory Council on Disabilities!

Come connect with members of the Council, learn more about our current priorities and work within the City of Lawrence, and hear about opportunities to get involved.

This is a great opportunity to:
• Meet LACD members
• Learn about our priorities and initiatives
• Discover ways to get involved
• Ask questions and share your ideas
• Connect with others who care about accessibility and inclusion in Lawrence

Whether you’re a person with a disability, family member, caregiver, professional, community partner, or simply interested in learning more, we’d love to have you join us! Specific room number will be sent to registrants closer to the event date.

Register here: https://forms.gle/9z7jpjdFUTd3wHE97

09/02/2026

Fort Ben Farmers Market Canceled Thursday, Sept. 3

Due to an extreme weather forecast with an expected heat index well over 100 degrees, this week’s Fort Ben Farmers Market on Thursday, Sept. 3, has been canceled.

The safety of our vendors, staff, and community members is our top priority, and the projected heat makes it unsafe to operate the market.

Thank you for understanding, and we look forward to seeing you at the market next week.

09/01/2026

The 56th Street Ramp to Northbound I-465 is Now Open!

Good news for drivers on the east side of Indianapolis!

More travel lanes are open on northbound and westbound I-465, and that means the ramp from 56th Street to northbound I-465 is back open.

09/01/2026

New business alert!

Please welcome Sugar & Story Bakery to Lawrence!

Owned and operated by Chanae Azikiwe, PhD, Sugar & Story Bakery is a new home bakery offering fresh cinnamon rolls, cookies, pound cakes, and her Indiana State Fair 2026 award-winning Tropical Carrot Cake.

Chanae is hosting her first Lawrence pop-up during the Winding Ridge Community Garage Sale on September 12–13.

You can place your order for the Winding Ridge pop-up at: https://bakesy.shop/b/sugar-story-bakery

She dropped off some samples for us at the Lawrence Government Center, and we can confirm they were delicious!

Welcome to Lawrence!