Good morning, Lafayette.

May 25th will mark Lafayette’s 200th birthday and bicentennial celebration, and the city will host events like rock painting, a costume ball, rides and downtown festivities.

Director of Communications and Marketing David Huhnke said the events aim to involve youth and families — plans focus on sharing our community’s rich history through fun activities.

The Jos Holman branch of Tippecanoe County Public Library in Lafayette will host a Spring Author Fair on April 19 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. where local authors will sign books — offering presentations and engagement — for readers of all interests.

High school juniors and seniors in Greater Lafayette are invited to the HireME! job fair on April 16 at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hosted by Greater Lafayette Commerce and Career+ Pathways by Skyepack, the event will connect students with nearly 60 local employers — offering direct access to internships and full-time roles.

Yesterday, Purdue hosted conservative commentator Charlie Kirk on Krach Lawn where hundreds of students wore MAGA hats or carried protest signs amid a heavy police presence.

Many students struggled to hear Kirk due to the event setup and the competing chants—highlighting the campus tension during the political debate.

On Wednesday, the House committee approved changes to Senate Bill 478—setting rules for licensing, advertising, packaging, testing and a cap of 9,400 retail permits—and the bill now heads to the House floor for further review.

Lawmakers aim to get Senate support as they work to control where delta-8 THC products are sold.

State legislators passed a bill on Tuesday by a 91-1 vote that will require state agencies to post contracts to a transparency portal — a step that bans no-bid deals and removes unfilled positions after 90 days.

The measure now awaits final Senate approval before it is sent to Governor Mike Braun.

Purdue defensive tackle Jamarrion “Chops” Harkless improved his conditioning with a high-protein diet—dropping six pounds while adding muscle—and now plays a key role as double teams open up scoring chances for teammate TJ Lindsey.

Community Nature Day

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — John S. Wright Forestry Center — Free entry — Engage in environmental activities and explore local ecosystems at this community gathering.

Life Church Easter Celebration

10 AM - 1 PM — Legacy Sports Club — Free entry — Celebrate Easter with a powerful service and special activities for kids.

The B-Side, Track 5: (Re)Light a Fuse

7:30 p.m. — Rat Pak Venue — Cash Bar — Experience electrifying rock and pop hits with a jazz fusion twist from talented LSO musicians.

Joel Gentz 5k 2025

9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Engineering Fountain — Registration fee applies — Honor our service men and women through this spirited 5k run at Purdue University.

10th Annual GRANT'S HOUSE Celebration

6-10:30 p.m. — Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds — Fundraising event — Celebrate a decade of progress in supporting children with developmental disabilities.

Absolute Light Holistic Fair

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds — $10 per person — Explore intuitive readings, energy healings, and unique handcrafted items at this holistic fair.

Colton Dixon Concert

6:00-7:30 p.m. — Long Center for the Performing Arts — Ticket info available — Experience the inspiring anthems of Colton Dixon, a Christian music sensation.

Kelsey Greeson Project Concert

7-9 p.m. — The Arts Federation — Cost information unavailable — Enjoy a night of music with Scott Greeson, Vickie Maris, Michael Kelsey, and Courtney Von Drehle, featuring special guest artists.