The streets of Indianapolis come alive each year as thousands of FFA members attend convention. This year is no different; students, alumni, supporters and guests are exploring the downtown area and experiencing everything the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo has to offer.
Students from the Sugar River Valley FFA Chapter in New Hampshire made their way through White River State Park to go to the Indianapolis Zoo. Member Connor Clark says he wasn’t expecting such pleasant weather for this week.
“It’s been really awesome to get to walk around in warm weather instead of snow this year,” he says.
Clark also enjoys being able to walk around a bigger city than the one he calls home. “The park is similar to New Hampshire, with all the nature, but we’re not used to the big city living and all the buildings so close together,” he says.
As members enjoy convention, Indianapolis residents and business owners are also impacted by the thousands of students who fill the city this week. Jonathan Powell, a local resident, appreciates the different perspectives students bring from across the nation.
“We really appreciate their positive energy and we support them,” he says. Powell also appreciates that FFA members are striving to keep agriculture alive in the U.S., and understands that it plays a role in his daily life — especially where his food comes from.
Whether FFA members and guests are shopping at the Circle Center Mall, visiting the Indianapolis Zoo or grabbing a bite to eat, there are plenty of things to do throughout convention week.
