Frankfort’s signature summer event is set to return with new attractions, expanded entertainment, and continued emphasis on safety, according to Frankfort Main Street Director Kim Stevens.
The 2026 Frankfort Hot Dog Festival will be the weekend of July 24,25,26 rain or shine. The festival is typically scheduled for the last full weekend in July.
Speaking on WILO and Boone 102.7 FM’s Party Line program, Stevens highlighted several additions to this year’s Hot Dog Festival, including a large-scale dinosaur exhibit designed to attract families and younger attendees. “We’ve got some really great, exciting things happening for the Hot Dog Festival,” Stevens said. “We are bringing in the dinosaur takeover, and there will be a dinosaur museum. There will be a 50-foot dinosaur that will be appearing, and there will be some that will be roaming around.”
New Attractions and Family Focus
The dinosaur exhibit is part of a broader effort to expand free, family-friendly activities at the festival. Stevens said organizers are prioritizing experiences that are both engaging and accessible. “It’s not only fun and exciting for the kids, but it’s also educational,” she said. “We’re really kind of looking at how we get the young people involved and things that are not going to be costing them anything to do.”
Additional new features include live wood carving demonstrations and a glass blower performing throughout the weekend. Traditional favorites such as dock diving dogs will also return, drawing participants from across Indiana and beyond. “That’s going to be a staple of the Hot Dog Festival for years to come because they just bring so much fun and excitement,” Stevens said, noting that some participants travel long distances to compete.
Expanded Entertainment and Participation
Organizers are also expanding the festival’s entertainment footprint. Two stages will be active throughout the event, including the Farmers Bank Performance Center and a secondary stage on Clinton Street. “Both of those will be full of activity and fun for the entire family,” Stevens said.
The full entertainment schedule is expected to be released soon, with additional acts still being accepted in the coming weeks. “If there’s something that you want to see, please don’t hesitate to give us a call,” she said. “We still add some things up to about two weeks before.”
Safety Planning a Top Priority
With large crowds expected, Stevens emphasized that safety planning remains a central focus. Volunteers undergo regular training, including coordination with local law enforcement and emergency services. “We spend a lot of time on the training of our volunteers,” she said. “You cannot be too prepared for that.”
The festival operates under a detailed emergency action plan that covers scenarios ranging from severe weather to lost children. Stevens pointed to last year’s storms as an example of preparedness in action.
“We were able to get people to the emergency shelters as quickly as we could,” she said. “Everybody was safe, nobody got hurt, and we were able to go right back to the festival.”
She added that volunteers are trained to respond calmly and prioritize public safety rather than take unnecessary risks.
“You’re not there to be the hero,” Stevens said. “You’re there to get as many people out of the way as possible.”
Broader Downtown Efforts
Stevens noted that the Hot Dog Festival is just one part of a larger effort to bring people downtown and support local businesses. Events like Thursday Thunder concerts and movie nights are designed to showcase the community while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.
“We are inviting folks to come to our community—we want to show you what our living room looks like,” she said.
An upcoming Thursday Thunder event on July 2 will help kick off Independence Day celebrations and the nation’s 250th anniversary, featuring live music, food vendors, and a veterans memorial display at Prairie Creek Park.
How to Participate
Stevens encouraged community members, performers, and vendors to get involved as planning continues. “They can give us a call at the office… or reach out to us on either our social media site or our FrankfortMainStreet.org website,” she said.
