The Weekend 5

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Each week Visit Indy publishes five can't-miss events for the upcoming weekend. Save yourself the trouble of checking back by getting The Weekend 5 sent directly to your inbox each Thursday morning.

WORLD FOOD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The global culinary showdown takes over the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center through Sunday as hundreds of culinary teams compete for more than $400,000 in prizes and the ultimate food sport bragging rights. Watch chefs, home cooks, and pitmasters battle in ten categories, watch chef demos, do food tastings, look for former White House chef Andre Rush and seafood expert Barton Seaver making the rounds, and enjoy live music as well as family activities. Sample creations and help crown People's Choice winners at Thursday's Burger Battle and Friday's Dessert Smash. Friday also includes the IGNITE! Music & BBQ Party, while Saturday adds the Indianapolis Pizza Festival and School Food Showdown. Tickets are $15 and up.

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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS VS. TENNESSEE TITANS

Kick off a legendary Sunday as the Colts welcome their AFC South rival Tennessee Titans to Lucas Oil Stadium. But this game is about more than football. At halftime, the Colts will induct four-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Adam Vinatieri into the team's Ring of Honor. Former tight end and Ring of Honor member Dallas Clark is the ceremonial Anvil Striker. Arrive early for a commemorative rally towel, enjoy live music from Jambox, Colts Cheerleaders, The Herd Drumline, food trucks, and football activities at Touchdown Town, then Indiana's own Straight No Chaser performs the national anthem before kickoff. On the field, watch Jonathan Taylor and Daniel Jones lead the team. Tickets are $32 and up.

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DOWNTOWN FALL FEST

Fall into fun in the heart of Indy when this first-ever fest transforms Richard G. Lugar Plaza into an autumn playground Saturday. Explore pumpkin and flower fields, carve and decorate pumpkins, make a fall bouquet, play yard games, and snap seasonal photos. Kids will enjoy free face painting, balloon art, a balloon bounce house, and more. Shop a market of local vendors, enjoy live (Keith Beatty, ISO Metro Youth Orchestra, Akustico) music, and visit with representatives from the Fever, Pacers, Indians, IMPD, and IFD. The entire festival is free, and no registration is required.

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FRIGHT ACADEMY HAUNTED HOUSE

Class is in session, and the curriculum is frightful. Through October 31, enroll at The Children's Museum Guild's 62nd annual haunted house, where monsters-in-training explore a haunted library, ghastly cafeteria, and creepy classrooms for spellbinding surprises. Choose kid-friendly daytime visits or frightening hours filled with masked monsters and jump scares. Fright Academy tickets are $9. This Saturday, get grown-up scares at Halloween After Dark - Sports and Spells, a Halloween party for those 21 and over featuring GrooveSmash, a costume contest, glow golf, dodgeball, a Home Run Derby, Indy Ignite volleyball challenges, specialty cocktails, and more. After Dark tickets are $50.

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AUTUMNTIDINGS FALL FESTIVAL

Raise a glass to art and autumn Saturday at the fifth annual festival. The Indy Art Center will be full of seasonal sips, live music, and delicious local food. Sample Ash & Elm Cider Co.'s popular pumpkin-inspired Autumntide cider (after which the festival is named), limited-edition flavors like PawPaw, Poached Pear, and Raspberry PB&J, as well as offerings from Indiana breweries, cideries, and distilleries. Tickets are $34.40 and up. Meanwhile, the free Locally Made - Indy's Fall Fest celebrates the reopening of ARTSPARK with more than 50 artists, hands-on activities, pumpkin painting, and an artisan marketplace. Both festivals are family- and dog-friendly, with free admission for nondrinkers and guests under 21.

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