For Immediate Release: May 08, 2023
Media Contact: Max Wing | max@downtownindy.org
Indiana Donor Network to bring added vitality to Downtown Indy’s 4th Fest as lead stage sponsor
With a two-month countdown well under way, Downtown Indy, Inc. signs partnership agreement with organ recovery nonprofit and anticipates its full-scale street festival
INDIANAPOLIS - - Today, Downtown Indy, Inc. (DII) announced its latest partnership with Indiana Donor Network and Donate Life Indiana for “Downtown Indy’s 4th Fest presented by UA Local 440.” The nonprofit will join DII in enhancing Downtown vibrancy as the annual fireworks and inaugural street festival’s lead stage sponsor. Established in 1987 as Indiana’s federally designated organ recovery organization and tissue bank, Indiana Donor Network works to bridge the gap between donors and patients by both educating and advocating for life saving transplants. Through the partnership, Indiana Donor Network secures naming rights to DII’s performance stage and will further activate the festival space with Donate Life Indiana pop-ups and information on how to get involved as a donor.
“From our annual Circle of Lights® tradition to our upcoming fireworks show, Indiana Donor Network has long been an integral collaborator, ensuring our Downtown remains dynamic and engaging for all that come to experience it.” said DII President & CEO Taylor Schaffer. “This year’s expanded Fourth of July celebration marks a new edition to summer programming in Downtown Indianapolis, focused on activating our public spaces. We’re grateful for Indiana Donor Network’s commitment to Downtown and can’t think of a better stage presenter to lead our street festival.”
“We are excited to partner with Downtown Indy, Inc. for our city’s Fourth of July celebration this year,” said Indiana Donor Network President and CEO Kellie Tremain. “We honor the gifts of life that Hoosiers have given – and continue to give – by leveraging these unique opportunities to spread awareness of the importance of lifesaving donations. Indiana Donor Network is excited to support this wonderful community event, celebrate our nation and encourage attendees to say ‘yes’ to being an organ and tissue donor.”
Leading up to the 25-minute fireworks display, DII’s festival stage will feature live musical performances in addition to pre-event interviews and programming from Indiana Donor Network and Donate Life Indiana. The high-energy party band Toy Factory is set to headline alongside Pavel & Direct Contact, drawing from Latin-jazz and salsa influences. DII’s fireworks launch site remains at the 500 N Meridian building with optimal viewing areas on the Indiana War Memorial grounds and American Legion Mall. Fireworks will be synced to popular patriotic and themed music aired on local Radio One radio stations.
Indiana Donor Network and Donate Life Indiana join newly titled presenting partner UA Local 440, the Capital Improvement Board and Visit Indy in helping introduce this year’s festival. Together, sponsors will collaborate with DII to put forth a revitalized Independence Day celebration featuring free and accessible programming for all. Businesses interested in helping to sponsor this community event can contact Downtown Indy, Inc.
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About Downtown Indy, Inc.
Founded in 1993, Downtown Indy, Inc. is a public/private partnership existing to improve Downtown, and is also known as Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. As a private, not-for-profit organization, Downtown Indy, Inc. is uniquely positioned to address issues that affect the area’s growth and well-being. Downtown Indy, Inc. focuses on development, management, activation, and marketing to advance Downtown as a great place to live, learn, work and play.
About Indiana Donor Network
The decision to become an organ, tissue and eye donor is a decision to give the gift of life. Indiana Donor Network serves as the vital link between donors and patients waiting for lifesaving organ transplants, healing tissue and corneas to restore sight. The organization is a federally designated organ recovery organization and accredited tissue bank serving 85 of Indiana’s 92 counties. Its team of more than 285 dedicated professionals is committed to saving and healing lives through donation and transplantation, championing the cause through education and outreach and supporting donor families in their time of need. For more or to sign up as a donor, visit Indiana Donor Network online.
About Donate Life Indiana
Since 1998, Donate Life Indiana has been the state-authorized nonprofit organization responsible for managing the Indiana donor registry. Its mission is to save lives by creating opportunities for all Indiana citizens to sign up on the organization’s official state registry while striving to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation through public education. For more, visit Donate Life Indiana online.
About the Downtown fireworks launch location
In concert with the Indianapolis Fire Department, Downtown Indy, Inc., alongside other city officials and pyrotechnic professionals, will continue to safely launch fireworks from inside the Downtown Mile Square. Due to fire safety ordinances, a safe “fall-out” perimeter is required that is free of residences, hospitals and hotels and other similar spaces where overnight sleeping occurs, including homeless shelters and jails. Additionally, shooting off large scale, aerial fireworks should be a safe, audible distance from the Indianapolis Zoo. The 500 North Meridian building meets the necessary criteria. With new residences at its base, the Regions Tower no longer meets the necessary criteria for a safe perimeter as it did prior to 2021.