Saturday, Sep 19, 2026
Town Showdown: Zionsville vs. Whitestown 2026
Mulberry Fields Park, Zionsville
Town Showdown is a friendly competition between Zionsville and Whitestown, built around the Big-4 Rail Trail that connects the two towns. Residents turn out for their community, and the town that brings the most participants takes home the Big-4 Rail Trail Golden Bike Wheel.
The 2026 event is Saturday, September 19, at Mulberry Fields Park in Zionsville.
Quick Facts
- Town Showdown takes place at Mulberry Fields Park from 12:00 to 2:00 PM. The Family Fun Ride to the park is optional.
- The optional route from Town Hall is about 1.25 miles. The Family Fun Ride leaves at noon and follows the Big-4 Rail Trail to Mulberry Fields Park.
- The official headcount is at 1:00 PM. Be at the park by then to count toward your town’s total.
- You do not need a bicycle to participate in Town Showdown. Walking, running, scooters, skateboards, and strollers are welcome.
- Wear your town colors. Zionsville participants are encouraged to wear green; Whitestown participants wear blue.
Event Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, September 19, 2026 |
| Time | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM |
| Location | Mulberry Fields Park, 9645 Whitestown Road, Zionsville |
| Optional Family Fun Ride | Approx. 1.25 miles from Zionsville Town Hall to Mulberry Fields Park via the Big-4 Rail Trail; departs at 12:00 PM |
| Headcount | 1:00 PM |
| Cost | Free for residents and nonresidents |
| Organizers | Zionsville Parks & Recreation and Whitestown Parks & Recreation |
How the competition works
Participants represent their town by showing up at Mulberry Fields Park during the event. Zionsville residents are encouraged to wear green; Whitestown residents wear blue.
The count happens at 1:00 PM, and the town with the most participants wins the Big-4 Rail Trail Golden Bike Wheel. The trophy travels to the winning community and stays there until the next Showdown.
A bike is not required to participate. Attendees can go directly to Mulberry Fields Park or arrive by bike, on foot, with a stroller, skateboard, or scooter.
Schedule
- 12:00 PM — Family Fun Ride: Departs Zionsville Town Hall and travels the Big-4 Rail Trail to Mulberry Fields Park. The ride promotes cycling as a healthy and sustainable way to travel between the two communities.
- 12:00 – 2:00 PM — Gathering at Mulberry Fields Park: Food trucks, music, family activities, complimentary bike safety checks, and community booths.
- 1:00 PM — Headcount: Organizers tally participants for each town to determine who wins the Golden Bike Wheel.
What to expect at the park
Food trucks are on site throughout the event, along with music, family activities, community booths, and complimentary bike safety checks.
Getting there
Attendees can go directly to Mulberry Fields Park for the noon to 2:00 PM gathering, or take the Big-4 Rail Trail from Zionsville Town Hall.
The organized Family Fun Ride leaves Zionsville Town Hall, 1100 W Oak Street, at noon. The trail route can also be traveled on foot.
Family Fun Ride Route: Town Hall to Mulberry Fields Park
The route from Zionsville Town Hall to Mulberry Fields Park is approximately 1.25 miles one way along the Big-4 Rail Trail. The Family Fun Ride leaves Town Hall at noon, and the same route can also be traveled on foot. The aerial map below shows the route between the two locations.
Event history
The Town Showdown began in May 2024 as a joint effort by the Zionsville and Whitestown parks departments, marking the completed Big-4 Rail Trail connection between the two towns. In that first year, Zionsville participants started at Zionsville Town Hall and Whitestown participants at the Main Street Big-4 Trailhead, with both groups traveling the trail to Heritage Trail Park.
The gathering moves between the two communities each year:
- 2024: Inaugural event concluded at Heritage Trail Park (Winner: Whitestown)
- 2025: Held at Panther Park in Whitestown (Winner: Whitestown)
- 2026: Scheduled for Mulberry Fields Park in Zionsville
Registration
The Town Showdown and the Family Fun Ride are both free for residents and nonresidents. Advance registration is available through the Zionsville Parks & Recreation online portal, which lists the two activities separately — the Town Showdown from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at Mulberry Fields Park, and the Family Fun Ride from 12:00 to 1:00 PM departing Zionsville Town Hall.