Small-Town Adventures Await in Washington County

Enjoy the aroma of fresh baked breads and sweets on the historic brick streets of Downtown Salem while enjoying the amazing classic cars and trucks lined up around the square on Friday Night. Racing kicks off on Saturday for the annual Joe James/Pat O'Connor Memorial at the Salem Speedway. It's an annual short-track sprint car race honoring legendary American driver Pat O'Connor and driver Joe James. Other events feature a chicken Bar-B-Que and community yard sale at the American Legion. 

Baked on the Bricks in Salem - August 14th

‍Salem Cruise N Car Show on the Salem Square - August 14th

‍Random Rydes of Salem was formed as a car club in the early 80’s. Car Enthusiasts from across southern Indiana unite for events all year long. Enjoy the classic and vintage cars and trucks as they take their place around the Salem Square on Friday starting at 5:00pm.

‍American Legion Post 41 - Community Yard Sale - August 15th

Make plans to stop by the community yard sale in the American Legion parking lot located at 105 W. Hugh Veteran Drive in Salem. ‍Spots are 10x10 they cost $10 a spot. If interested and would like to reserve your spot contact Kenneth Alexander on cell #812-620-2531.

‍American Legion Post 41 Chicken BBQ - August 15th

‍Joe James and Pat O' Connor Memorial - August 15th

Pat O'Connor was born in North Vernon, and a fan-favorite IndyCar driver who competed in five Indianapolis 500 races during the 1950s. He lost his life in a multi-car accident on the first lap of the 1958 Indianapolis 500. The prestigious event features pavement sprint cars—frequently part of the 500 Sprint Car Tour—tearing around the high-banked Salem Speedway.

‍Visit Delaney Creek Park for Outdoor Recreation

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Escape the everyday and experience one of Washington County, Indiana's hidden outdoor treasures at Delaney Creek Park! Whether you're planning a family outing, a peaceful afternoon, or a weekend of splashing in the water, Delaney Creek Park offers the perfect place to reconnect with nature. Stroll scenic trails, enjoy the fresh air, cast a fishing line, have a relaxing picnic, or simply take in the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

‍ARCA Menards Series Race Televised Live on FOX - Sept 12th

The ARCA Menards Series Spruce 212 at Salem Speedway will broadcast live over the air on FOX on Saturday, Sept. 12. The 212-lap race at the high-banked oval, located in southern Indiana between Indianapolis and Louisville, is scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET green flag.

“We are thrilled to have a second ARCA Menards Series race broadcast on FOX in 2026,” said ARCA president Ron Drager. “It provides our drivers, teams, sponsors and fans a tremendous opportunity to see one of the most unique and exciting race tracks on the ARCA Menards Series schedule. No track has hosted more ARCA Menards Series races, and we look forward to adding another exciting chapter to that history live on FOX.”

The race will start at sundown, but the track will be bathed in light provided by Musco, the company that revolutionized race track lighting to allow superspeedway racing at night in the 1990s.

“Having the ARCA Menards Series live on FOX puts the series under an incredible spotlight, and it will be even brighter thanks to our friends at Musco,” Drager continued. “Thanks to Musco’s support, it will be the brightest night race in Salem’s long history, and our fans will have a chance to see racing under the lights as they’ve never seen it at Salem before.”

‍Enjoy a Walk/Run or Bicycle Ride on the Monon South Trail

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The new greenway trail offers dramatic vistas of rolling Indiana farmland, forests, creeks and valleys with linkages to several regional destinations, including nearby state parks and recreation facilities. The trail also highlights connections to local businesses as it transverses our county. Click on the button below to Download a Map of the Trail. 

‍Pickleball Meet Ups at the YMCA - Monday Evenings 

‍Whether you're just learning the game or looking for regular competition, pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports because it's easy to learn, provides excellent exercise, and is fun for all ages.