Redkey Gas Boom Days by Redkey Festival Committee

Redkey Gas Boom Days by Redkey Festival Committee Keep up-to-date on Gas Boom Days activities, volunteer opportunities, and more! Make Redkey big by supporting the festival and the local businesses!
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The area was originally established in the 1830s as "Wades Settlement" by the earliest settler. The name changed a couple of times until officially taking the name Redkey in 1883 after a citizen bought the land owned by the Wade family. In 1887, it was discovered that the town resided on a large source of Natural Gas. This discovery lead to a boom in population and economy. The town grew from 386

residents in 1830 to over 2,200 in 1900, peaking at about 3,500. The town grew and become home to many businesses, including grocery stores, restaurants, doctors, entertainment venues, and more. Unfortunately, the boom went bust in the early 1900s. However, two businesses that got national attention was the Key Palace Theater and Shambargers Restaurant in the mid 1900s. Charlie Noble brought in many blues music musicians to the theater, attracting attention from iconic actors and musicians -- Leon Redbone, BB King, and Buddy Guy to name a few. Shambargers also got some high-profile customers, such as Norman Rockwell. In 1968, The Wall Street journal profiled the un-advertised establishment. Now, the town has approximately 1,300 residents. Although Redkey is not what it once was, there are many who are working to bring it back to its former glory. The Gas Boom Days Festival was established in honor of the economic boom that occurred in the late 1800's. As time progressed, the festival ran into some issues of people volunteering to run it and had to stop for some years. Within the last decade or two, a small group of people wanted to bring the festival back, in the hopes of bringing more business to the area. Although Covid posed some roadblocks, the festival continues to take place every August on High Street. The goal of the Gas Boom Days Festival is to revitalize the small-town economy and increase tourism; however, this can only be done with volunteers! The festival is lead by a group of volunteers, but more are needed to expand and reach our goal. Redkey, IN is located 30min North East of Muncie, home to Ball State University. Fun for Kidz is a 501(c)3 non-profit that currently manages Gas Boom Days.

04/13/2026

Redkey Gas Boom Days 2026! August 15th and 16th - Vendor Sign-Up coming soon!

Send a message to learn more

It’ll be here before we know it!!!
01/16/2026

It’ll be here before we know it!!!

2026 Festival Guides are in!!! Please note a shift in the date of Redkey Gas Boom Days to align with the same shift in ...
01/03/2026

2026 Festival Guides are in!!! Please note a shift in the date of Redkey Gas Boom Days to align with the same shift in dates of other events that we try to align with!

08/16/2025

We encourage everyone to get out this weekend and visit Glass Day in Dunkirk today and Balbec Days today and tomorrow!

Car show trophy presentation … thanks to all of our trophy sponsors and those that came out to enjoy the day!
08/11/2025

Car show trophy presentation … thanks to all of our trophy sponsors and those that came out to enjoy the day!

A Big Thank You to All Out Dumpster Rentals for donating a dumpster to help keep the town clean during the festival!!!
08/10/2025

A Big Thank You to All Out Dumpster Rentals for donating a dumpster to help keep the town clean during the festival!!!

08/10/2025

Bird’s Eye View of the Festival

Trying to decide if it’s worth getting out in the heat today?!? Check out all these vendors and activities!!! Don’t fo...
08/10/2025

Trying to decide if it’s worth getting out in the heat today?!? Check out all these vendors and activities!!! Don’t forget to stop in and check out the local businesses and the silent auction in the old fire station! There’s some deals to be had!!!

Great turn out for the town wide church service! That you to the churches of Redkey for organizing this!!!
08/10/2025

Great turn out for the town wide church service! That you to the churches of Redkey for organizing this!!!

Address

P. O. Box 5
Redkey, IN
47373

Telephone

+12604851644

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