Nearly a month after floodwaters receded from southeast Indiana, communities are rallying to help neighbors rebuild. Brookville’s annual Chicken Festival and Fry‑Off moves to the historic Brookville Ballpark on Saturday, Sept. 12, with free admission and a full day of music, food, and flood‑relief fundraising.
Festival details and purpose
The event runs from noon to 8 p.m., with music starting at 11 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and optional donations. Local home cooks will compete for a $1,000 prize, a trophy, and the title of Franklin County’s best home chicken fryer, judged by a panel of celebrity judges. Performers include Shannon Amber, Nick Winters, The Biscuit Lickers, Noah Pavey, Randy Peak of the Renegades, and JD Chappell. Joel Alvarado, star of “Mayberry Man,” will serve as host and emcee.
The festival’s primary goal is flood recovery. All proceeds will benefit the Franklin County Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, which is addressing needs that remain after FEMA assistance. Donation QR codes will be posted throughout the ballpark, and volunteers will circulate a “flood bucket” for additional contributions.
“A lot of times when flooding or any type of disaster takes place, there’s immediate action, and then everybody moves on to whatever the next disaster is,” said Main Street Brookville President Brian Noah. “After a month, people are going to forget, except for the people who have damage to their homes.”
Metamora’s businesses reopen
In nearby Metamora, floodwaters damaged homes and storefronts, but about 90 % of the village’s businesses have reopened in some capacity, according to Alan Stenger, president of the nonprofit I Love Metamora and the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. Some owners operate from pop‑up tents outside damaged shops, especially in the hard‑hit Duck Creek area.
Stenger urges visitors to support the town by shopping locally, noting that tourism is a lifeline for Metamora’s roughly 50 small businesses. He also highlighted upcoming fall events, including Canal Days the first weekend of October and a Haunted Village during the final three weekends of October.
Although most businesses do not qualify for FEMA Individual Assistance, disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to eligible owners, homeowners, and renters.
FEMA assistance options
FEMA has opened Mobile Registration Intake Centers where flood survivors can apply for assistance without an appointment. The West Harrison center is located at West Harrison Town Hall, 100 Railroad Ave., West Harrison, IN 47060, and is scheduled to reopen Saturday. Survivors should check the Indiana Department of Homeland Security disaster page for the latest hours and locations.
Applicants should bring a Social Security number, insurance information if available, damage documentation (photos or contractor estimates), financial and direct‑deposit details, and current contact information. Those missing some documents can still begin the application process and submit additional information later.
Homeowners and renters in eligible Indiana counties have until Oct. 25 to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance, either online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1‑800‑621‑3362.
“The people of southeast Indiana, as we found out through all of this—we really do take care of each other,” Noah said.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
