10 Dec Cannon Ball Holds Fundraiser Event for New Playground Equipment for O’Bannon Park on Friday, Dec. 14
by Indiana On Tap staff
As has been repeatedly demonstrated over the years and in myriad ways, craft beer is about community and helping out whenever possible. Friday night (Dec. 14th) is yet another example of Indiana craft beer’s commitment to those around them. Cannon Ball Brewing Company at 17th and Bellefontaine will be donating a dollar of every beer sold to help put new playground and public equipment in the Frank & Judy O’Bannon Old Northside Soccer Park.
Molly Miller from the Indy Parks Foundation is heading up the project and the fundraising and has been joined in the effort by neighbors from the Old Northside, Herron Morton, Martindale-Brightwood, Windsor Park, Kennedy-King neighborhoods. These community-minded individuals have started a Partonicity campaign (see page here) to help with the $27,500 price tag for the project.
The complete transformation of the public park portion of the Soccer Park will include a picnic shelter, new playground equipment, and a splash pad – you know, the tall, flower-like sculptures that shower down water as the kids play under and around the fountains to beat the summer heat. The fundraising campaign has raised about one third of the needed amount, so Cannon Ball’s donation night comes along at just the right time.
Cannon Ball approached the Parks Department Foundation and neighborhood coalition after they posted on the Next Door App about the project. This was a good choice for Cannon Ball since they are located near the park and since several of the members of the Cannon Ball team live in the area.
photo credit: Cannon Ball Brewing
It’s no secret that Cannon Ball has played a role in the revitalization of the Kennedy-King neighborhood, but the park is technically in the Old Northside, not Kennedy-King. Mark Swartz, owner and brewer at Cannon Ball said that this makes no difference, it’s about neighbors helping neighbors. He said, “I understand the need for dividing lines between neighborhoods for HOAs and such but in reality, you can take a short walk in the area and be in five neighborhoods.”
To that same point, Cannon Ball is a 21+ establishment, yet here they are raising money for a children’s park. Mark commented, “Being part of a neighborhood is ‘raising all boats,’ even if they are too young to come to Cannon Ball. Those same kids may someday be patrons or work here. Most of our patrons have children and some have grandchildren. Even without these possibilities, it’s just the right thing to do.”
Cannon Ball will open at 4pm on Friday (see event page), and the $1/pint donation will carry on until they close at 10pm. All beers and flights (except growler fills) will be included in the donation plan, even the Imperial Pumpkin ale, though it is just a 10 oz. pour. Chef Erin will have her weekly special (off menu, you have to ask about it), and there might be some other features of the party too. Look to the Cannon Ball Brewing Facebook page to update you throughout the week.
Come out and help with this worthwhile project and enjoy some great beer and food at the same time. The Imperial Pumpkin Ale is on its last sixtel, so it might be extinct for the year by Friday, but there will still be a great Raspberry Porter and Irish Red ale, amongst others. As for the food, you can never go wrong with Erin’s deviled egg and roasted beet tacos.
The money raised will help get the kids new equipment, with construction set to begin in spring, 2019 and scheduled to be completed by late summer. Look for additional neighborhood businesses to join the fundraising efforts, but for right now Cannon Ball is the place to be on Friday night.
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