Spencer County Leader

Spencer County Leader Our goal here at the Spencer County Leader is keeping you up-to-date on all local news and events. Mailing address: PO Box 38, Ferdinand IN 47532

11/24/2025

Holiday World Announces 2026 Calendar, Black Friday Ticket Deals
SANTA CLAUS - Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari officials have unveiled the 2026 calendar, complete with 135 operating days, one of the longest in park history. The calendar will include the return of fan-favorite events such as Holidays in the Sky drone show, Friday Night Live! and Happy Halloween Weekends. In celebration of the upcoming season, the park’s Black Friday Deals are available from Monday, November 24, through Friday, November 28.
The Black Friday Ticket Deals are as follows:
• Two Any Day Tickets for $75 (Save over $70)
• One 2-Day Flex Ticket for $65 (Save over $23)
• One 3-Day Flex Ticket for $80 (Save nearly $20)
Guests can buy up to 8 of any of these tickets during checkout at HolidayWorld.com/Save with promo code HOLIDAY75. Cyber Monday Deals will follow November 29 through December 1; however, the best deals will only run through Black Friday. Additionally, 2026 Season Passes are on sale now for $35 off through January 1, 2026.
“2026 is a season guests won’t want to miss,” says Leah Koch-Blumhardt, Director of Communications and Fourth-Generation Owner. “With more days than ever and extended hours, guests don’t want to miss our holiday deals–and there’s always the option to upgrade to a Season Pass while in the park!”
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, which opened as Santa Claus Land in 1946, will be celebrating its 80th birthday throughout the 2026 season. The park has kicked off its celebration with a design contest for 2026 souvenir cups; three winners will each win two 2026 Season Passes.
In addition to the extended hours and operating calendar, Platinum Season Passholders and Guests of Santa’s Cottages will gain early access to select Splashin’ Safari attractions daily in June and July of 2026.
“What we’ve released is just the beginning,” adds Koch-Blumhardt. “We have more surprises in store for our 80th birthday season, and they’re going to make a big splash!”
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari are closed for the season and will reopen in May of 2026. Holiday World’s location in Santa Claus, Indiana—just a few hours from cities like Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Nashville and Columbus—makes it an accessible and worthwhile destination for families and thrill-seekers alike.

11/05/2025

CenterPoint Energy to host first Community Connect event in Rockport

CenterPoint Energy will host its first Community Connect event on Thursday, November 6 from 4-7 p.m. at South Spencer High School located at 1142 N. County Road 275 W. in Rockport. The event is part of CenterPoint’s ongoing commitment to listen to local feedback, highlight local energy improvements and address customer priorities.

During the event, customers and media representatives can learn about the company’s actions to prioritize affordability, financial assistance programs and resources available to customers, and local infrastructure investments to improve reliability.

09/11/2025

Spencer County Tri Kappa announces annual Plein Air Paint Out Competition
ROCKPORT – The Epsilon Psi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa (Tri Kappa), in conjunction with Lincoln Pioneer Village, will host its annual Plein Air Paint Out on Saturday, October 25 at the Rockport Community Building. The event is open to artists ages 12 and over.
This event invites artists to capture the beauty of Spencer County through outdoor painting. Participants will bring blank canvases to the Rockport Community Building, located at 930 Fairground Dr., between 7-10 a.m. for official stamping. Artists may have multiple canvases stamped, but may submit only two for judging.
After stamping, artists will disperse throughout Spencer County to create their paintings.
The historic Lincoln Pioneer Village offers a particularly rich setting for artistic inspiration, featuring authentic log cabins and structures from Abraham Lincoln’s formative years in Indiana. Completed works must be returned to the Community Building by 3 p.m., accompanied by display easels. Judging will take place at 3 p.m., followed by public viewing and reception from 3-5 p.m. Awards will be announced at 5 p.m.
The competition will award $1,800 in total prizes: $750 for first place, $500 for second place, $250 for third place, two $100 honorable mentions and $100 for people’s choice.
Artists must provide their own supplies, including paints, brushes, canvases and easels. Acceptable media include acrylic, oil, pastels and watercolor. Paintings must not exceed 36 inches in any direction. Framing is optional.
The registration fee is $30 per artist, allowing submission of up to two paintings. Paintings may be offered for sale, but must remain on display until after the awards presentation. Artists are responsible for their own sales transactions.
For registration information or questions, contact Teresa Schroeder at [email protected] or 812-649-4676, or Cindy Lawrence at 812-686-1606.

08/07/2025

Spencer County Community Corrections Advisory Board meeting will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., in the Commissioners Room on the 2nd floor of the Courthouse. An Executive Session and JRAC meeting will follow.

07/15/2025

Spencer County Music Fest Rescheduled to October 24 & 25 Due to Forecasted Weather

GRANDVIEW, IN (July 15, 2025)– Due to the threat of severe weather, the Spencer County Music Fest, originally scheduled for July 18 & 19, is being rescheduled to October 24 & 25, 2025, and will now take place at the Grandview Boat Dock off Highway 66.

While the decision to postpone and relocate was not made lightly, the safety of festivalgoers, performers, vendors, and volunteers remains the top priority.

“We were all looking forward to an incredible weekend of live music, food, and fun, but the current weather outlook makes it too risky to move forward as planned,” said Nan Cassidy, festival director. “We’re excited to bring everyone back together in October for an even bigger celebration, this time with candy!”

All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new dates.

The updated festival at the Grandview Boat Dock will still feature an exciting lineup of live music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities, now with a fall twist. Details about artist schedules, vendor participation, and the Truck or Treat event will be announced soon.

For updates and information, please visit SpencerCountyMusicFest.org.

Update 2:10PM June 3. Subject has been located and with family at this time. Search Continues For Missing TeenagerPerry...
06/03/2025

Update 2:10PM June 3. Subject has been located and with family at this time.

Search Continues For Missing Teenager

Perry County - Multiple police agencies and first responders are still searching for a 19-year-old male who goes by Nick. Nick has been missing from Anderson Woods since yesterday, June 2, at approximately 4:00 PM. Nick was last known to be wearing a light blue T-shirt, black and pink swimming trunks, and white tennis shoes. Nick is autistic with limited verbal skills. Nick has black hair, brown eyes, 5-10, 220 pounds, with facial hair, and is of Indian descent. Law Enforcement asks that anyone wishing to assist in searching for the young teen avoid the area due to multiple search and rescue teams already in the area. We are also asking neighboring property owners to check their property, vehicles, and any outbuildings. If located or any information can be relayed to Central Dispatch at 812-547-7068 or 911.

Please consider taking this survey for Grandview Wastewater Improvements!
05/21/2025

Please consider taking this survey for Grandview Wastewater Improvements!

05/21/2025

A special event was moved from Friday, May 16 to May 23 at the Y Pond Park in Grandview as a prelude to the Summer Music Festival.Titled “Ring of Fire” this will be a free (no charge) night with hot dogs, chips and soft drinks starting at 5 p.m. Attendees can bring musical instruments to casually jam from 5 to 6:45 p.m. A professional artist will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. A campfire will provide ambiance (and the reason for the name) and the hope is that attendees will then volunteer to help with the music festival, which is scheduled for July 18 and 19.

05/20/2025

The Santa Claus American Legion will hold their Memorial Services Sunday, May 25. They will depart the Santa Claus Legion at 7:05 a.m. and their schedule is as follows:
7:20 a.m., St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Claus
8 a.m., St. Francis of Assisi, Mariah Hill
8:25 a.m., Historic Santa Claus Campground Cemetery
9 a.m., Chrisney, Oak Hill
9:30 a.m., Little Pigeon (County Road 1250)
10 a.m., St. John’s (Clay City)
10:30 a.m., Mt. Zion (Conners)
11 a.m., St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Lamar
11:40 a.m., Buffaloville Cemetery (County Road 475 E)

05/07/2025

Attention Advertisers:

Please be advised that Ashton Buechlein is no longer employed by, nor affiliated with, Dubois-Spencer County Publishing. This includes Ferdinand News, Spencer County Leader, and Spencer County Online.

For any inquiries, please call our office at 812-367-2041.

04/23/2025

The City of Rockport formally welcomed Leah Jane’s Salon to the local business community Monday, April 14. Mayor Cathy Kirkpatrick and...

South Spencer School Corporation is hosting their Kindergarden Roundup this Friday, 14th! Rockport Elementary 1:30-4:30p...
02/12/2025

South Spencer School Corporation is hosting their Kindergarden Roundup this Friday, 14th!

Rockport Elementary 1:30-4:30pm
Luce Elementary - 2-5pm

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