The Haughville Mini Expo was about more than socializing. It was also an opportunity to stop some of the stigma the community’s dealt with for years.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Haughville Mini Expo brought an old tradition back to the Indianapolis west side neighborhood this weekend.

Community members gathered on Saturday at Lentz Park to play hoops and enjoy music, food, drinks and a car show.

“We was talking about what brings joy to Haughville and we landed on the Dust Bowl, and the Dust Bowl, basketball, all the athletic stuff was cool, but it was the thing that brought people together,” said Teddrick Hardy with NextGen West, a group of community members who organized the mini expo.



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From the looks of it, that is happening again.

“My dad let me came, and now I feel the joy,” said Aurora Cameron, who attended the mini expo with her dad Kevyn.

While Aurora Cameron played on the playground with other kids, people mingled throughout the park.

“It forces you to come out and see who’s out and meet new people, and it makes the community care about each other more,” Indianapolis resident Kevyn Cameron said.

The mini expo was about a lot more than socializing. It was also an opportunity to stop some of the stigma the community’s dealt with for years.

Leonard Sullivan also helped organize the event with NextGen West. He said Haughville has a reputation of being unsafe, but the people who live there are actually homeowners and families—just like the ones who were at Lentz Park.

“The grandparents, the parents, the grandkids, everybody comes together. That’s why we never worry about violence, because it’s all love,” Leonard Sullivan said.

For kids who live in Haughville, like Sharelle Hardy, Saturday was another chance to get to know their neighbors and look beyond the challenges.

“We might have bad things going on, but as you can see, there’s a lot of people who show up for our community,” Sharelle Hardy said.

There is a chance to show up again. Those 18 years old and younger can come to a basketball tournament at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday at Lentz Park with awards and bragging rights on the line.

NextGen West is planning more events throughout the summer. During Labor Day weekend, they will host a basketball tournament, car show, and activities for families.