The Hot Tamale Festival is this month in New Albany. (Samantha Hernandez and Johnny White / Submitted )Tamales. Ribeye sandwiches. Lucha libre wrestling. Dancing horses.That’s a taste of what to expect at the upcoming Hot Tamale Festival in New Albany this month, one of several festivals in South ern Indiana this autumn.The food-forward festival, hosted by Johnny White and Samantha Hernandez, is expected to draw crowds to the Floyd County 4-H Fairgrounds later this month.The goal? To bring people together.“That's really what we're trying to do is become a bridge in the community and be that, you know, festival for everyone to come and enjoy, you know, not only you know Spanish-speaking culture, but all kinds of culture,” Hernandez said.The event was borne out of the smaller Multi-Cultural Festival Hernandez started a few years ago. Both organizers are real estate agents in the area and Hernandez said the original festival was a way to give back and help support local businesses.When they zeroed in on food and moved to the Floyd County 4-H Fairgrounds, the festival exploded to about 2,000 attendees.“Our vendors ran out of food because people were just showing up in droves,” White said of last year’s event.And this year, they're building on that with multiple tamale booths and a way for guests to vote for their favorite. They’ll also have tacos, elotes, churros, ribeye sandwiches and fried fish. Most of the vendors are from the area.The festival will have country and Spanish music, traditional Mexican folk dancing, a car show, lucha libre-style wrestling, dancing horses and a giant piñata. There will be no alcohol.“When is the last time a community has been at the party and got to hit a piñata?” White said.White and Hernandez say events like this cultivate community, particularly in times of division.“I think us being a bridge for that by bringing positive things to the community and having everyone come together and just have a day of family fun, you know, and togetherness. I think that's incredibly important for the health of our…community,” Hernandez said.Here’s a rundown of some festivals in Southern Indiana this fall.September Monarch Festival at Art on the Parish Green10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1015 E. Market Street, New Albanyhttps://www.monarchfestival.com/festival-schedule/The Monarch Festival at Art of the Parish Green celebrates art, music and butterflies with artists and craftspeople, as well as food trucks, games and a beer and wine garden.Sellersburg Autumn Kick-Off Craft Market9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12The Life Center at Kingdom Life Church,11515 U.S.-31 North, SellersburgThis free, indoor market features handmade goods, home decor, specialty food and seasonal items.Second Saturday Night Market4 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12Outward Bound Community Services, 359 Market Street, CharlestownThe market includes local vendors, bakers and small businesses, crafts, piñatas and comic books.Flavor Fest New Albany RB Edition2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13The Platform Dining Lounge, 147 E. Main Street, New AlbanyLimited 21+ tickets availableThis event is billed as an “RB day party,” and includes unlimited wings from 2 to 5 p.m., live RB music and DJs.Georgetown Fall Craft Show9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church5231 IN-62, GeorgetownThis indoor show includes handmade gifts, local vendors and home decor.Floyds Knobs Fall Craft Market10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26Floyd Knobs Community Club4032 Weber Lane, Floyds KnobsThis indoor-outdoor show will offer more than 80 vendor booths including handmade goods, seasonal items and food trucks.Hot Tamale Festival11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 26Floyd County 4-H FairgroundsThis free, growing festival includes tamale vendors, ribeye sandwiches, and country and Spanish music. Free event tickets are here.OctoberJeffersonville’s Steamboat Festival3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3Big Four Station Park in JeffersonvilleThis annual festival celebrates the city’s river heritage and close community.Harvest HomecomingParade starts at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 at New Albany High SchoolBooths Oct. 8-11 downtown New AlbanyOne of the oldest and largest fall festivals in the state, the multi-day Harvest Homecoming includes a parade, vendor booths, a kids’ dog show, a baby crawl, a costume contest, live music and the Purdue Pumpkin Chunkin’ competition.The Taste of Jeffersonville, VIP Experience5:30 to 9:30 Thursday, Oct. 15The Jefferson715 W. Riverside Drive, JeffersonvilleTickets required for this 21+ eventThis event gives a taste of what Jeffersonville has to offer, from local eateries to chain restaurants. The event includes a silent auction and games.Southern Indiana Fiber and Arts Festival10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17Harrison County Fairgrounds, 341 S. Capitol Ave, CorydonThis annual event offers handmade gifts, local yarn and fibers and workshops and demonstrations.Jeffersonville Fall Craft Market10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24First Baptist Church of Jeffersonville2402 E. 10th Street, JeffersonvilleMore than 75 indoor and outdoor vendors, handmade goods, seasonal items and food trucks will be at this market.Boo Fest5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26Big Four Station Park in JeffersonvilleJeffersonville's annual family Halloween event includes trick-or-treating, games and food trucks.Georgetown Indiana’s Food Truck Invitational with Friends o Fred5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30Georgetown Park9100 Lois LaneThis free, pet-friendly event includes local and regional food and drink trucks, live music and a family fun zone.Lanesville Heritage weekendSept. 10-13Lanesville Heritage Park2800 Memory Lane, NE, LanesvilleThis four-day festival includes crafts and food booths, food and rides and contests such as horse show pitching and amateur fiddle-playing.Coverage of Southern Indiana is funded, in part, by Samtec Inc., the Hazel Walter T. Bales Foundation, and the Caesars Foundation of Floyd County. ...read more read less