April 14, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.
First Cruise-In of 2026 Season Welcomes Common Ground 05/01
Spring is giving way to summer and that means the inaugural Cruise-In to Hope event of the 2026 season has been announced for 5 p.m. Friday, May 1 on the Hope Town Square, located in downtown Hope.
Looking back, Town Manager Jason Eckart describes the 2025 Cruise-in Season as a record-breaker and adds that the event contributed nearly $5500 of raised money to local nonprofits.
The average car count per event was 90, he explains, and the season’s high was 127 unique rides and custom collectables, including trucks, motorcycles and the occasional trike.
Eckart praises the community’s support for the annual, seasonal event that has sparked interest well beyond Bartholomew County’s boarders.
“We now see people from all over the state,” Eckart says. “It’s incredible that people drive their cars from so many distant places to attend.”
Offering a sneak peak of this year’s lineup and nonprofit recipients, Eckart says its set to be an absolutely awesome year with an anticipated dash of enthusiastic, patriotic pride as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday.
“Our work crews will be wearing colorful red, white and blue tie-dyes hand-made in Greensburg by Dyed Designs,” he says. “The shirt printing will once again be expertly done by Hope’s own local business Special by Design.”
A supporter since the cruise-in’s inaugural year, Adora’s support of the event and the town of Hope is amazing, he adds.
Among the nonprofit recipients for this year’s season are Miller’s Merry Manor, FRHC Replay, and the summer reading program of the Hope Branch Library. Live performances by Cottonpatch, Dirty Laundry, and Midnight Howler among others this year are made possible by Elwood Staffing.
Proceeds from the season’s debut event beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, May 1 on the Hope Town Square, downtown Hope, will support Cub Scout Pack #543, Eckart says.
The evening’s featured band will be Common Ground, he adds.
“We appreciate everyone who attends these events,” Eckart says. “The effect of the donations goes directly to support this small, but resilient community.”
