FERDINAND — Registration is officially underway for the 24th Annual Ferdinand Heimatfest 5K Run/Walk and Kid’s Fun Run. Sponsored by Best Home Furnishings, the competitive and recreational events will kick off the active portion of the town’s premier summer festival on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Proceeds from the annual racing event directly benefit the Forest Park High School track and field teams.
The 5K Run/Walk is scheduled to begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Participants will gather for registration check-in and morning sign-ins at the Forest Park Junior High School gymnasium.
According to race coordinators, the scenic 3.1-mile course will guide runners and walkers through several local landmarks, including loops around:
- The Forest Park High School campus
- The grounds of the Sisters of St. Benedict Monastery
- Old Town Lake
Immediately following the conclusion of the 5K, the action moves to the Forest Park High School track for the Kids’ Fun Run. The fun run is strictly open to young athletes ages 12 and under, and all children who cross the finish line will receive free participant ribbons.
Registration Fees and Deadlines
Discounted entry is available to participants who lock in their spots ahead of the festival weekend.
| Event | Pre-Registration (Before June 12) | Standard Registration (On/After June 12) |
| 5K Run/Walk | $20 | $25 |
| Kid’s Fun Run (No Shirt) | FREE | FREE |
| Kid’s Fun Run (With T-Shirt) | $10 | $10 |
Pre-registrants in the 5K category are guaranteed a commemorative event T-shirt.
Plaques and cash prizes will be awarded to the overall top male and female winners of the 5K division. In addition, traditional athletic awards will be presented to top performers across multiple localized age brackets.
A Weekend of Community Festivities
The 5K and Kid’s Fun Run serve as the opening events of a jam-packed Saturday lineup at the 2026 Ferdinand Heimatfest. The festival will run throughout the day at the Ferdinand Community Center Grounds, offering a wide array of activities for the entire family. Highlights of the 2026 schedule include:
- 9:00 a.m.: Tri-County YMCA Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament (18th Street Park) and the Heimatfest Car/Truck/Bike Show.
- 11:15 a.m.: Feller Express Interactive Dinosaur Experience for kids at the YMCA.
- 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Backyard BBQ Contest Sampling, where attendees can taste local entries for a $7 admission fee.
- 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.: German American Bank Family Fun Zone, featuring completely free inflatables, a kids’ foam party, face painting, and balloon artists.
- 3:00 p.m.– 12:00 a.m.: Main Beer Garden open on the community center grounds.
- 5:00 p.m.: VFW Post 11365 BBQ Chicken and Pork Chop Dinner inside the Community Center.
- 7:30 p.m.: Live musical performance by First and Main on the Uebelhor Chevy & Toyota Main Stage.
- 10:00 p.m.: A spectacular America’s 250th Fireworks Celebration to close out the night.
How to Register
Registration forms can be downloaded online by visiting the official Ferdinand Heimatfest website, ferdinandheimatfest.com, or through the festival’s official Facebook page.
Completed forms and entry fees can be mailed in advance to race directors: Karl Hinson, 8765 S. Club Road, Ferdinand, IN 47532.
For direct inquiries or additional registration questions, community members can reach out to Karl Hinson at 812-630-3415 or Rachel Hinson at 812-661-0063. Same-day registration will also be accepted at the junior high school gym on the morning of June 20.
