Topics: Arts and Culture, Ball State PBS, College of Communication Information and Media, Community Engagement, Muncie, Ball State PBS

May 21, 2026

Daniel Tiger greets a young child at a Ball State PBS Be My Neighbor Day event.

Ball State PBS will welcome families back to downtown Muncie on Saturday, June 6, for Be My Neighbor Day, an afternoon of music, hands-on activities, and community connections inspired by Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and the neighborly spirit of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 1–4 p.m. at Canan Commons, will bring together more than 20 local organizations and activity booths focused on kindness, helping others, and being a good neighbor.

Highlights for families across East Central Indiana include:

  • Meet Daniel Tiger from PBS KIDS
  • Live music and dancing with Ruditoonz
  • Activities with local “neighbors,” including arts organizations, community centers, and nonprofits
  • Free books for every child while supplies last
  • A Be My Neighbor Day tote bag packed with goodies for attendees

In keeping with Daniel Tiger’s familiar reminder—“Things may change and that’s OK. Today we can do things a different way.”—Be My Neighbor Day gives children and caregivers a playful way to explore kindness, helping others, and building strong communities.

Families attending Be My Neighbor Day can also take advantage of free community shuttles to Ball State University for We Fly Fest, another free family event taking place later that day at the Brown Family Amphitheater. Shuttles will begin picking up community members at Canan Commons at 3:30 p.m. and will run on a continuous loop to campus and back.

This year’s Be My Neighbor Day is presented by Midas, with support from Inspire Academy, CenterPoint Energy, Meridian Health Pediatrics, Behavior Associates, WellNow Urgent Care, Lifestream Services, The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, and Anthem. The book giveaway is supported by Meridian Health Services.

The rain location for Be My Neighbor Day is Inspire Academy, 2801 E. 16th St., Muncie, IN 47302. Families needing accommodations to participate in this event can email Accessibility.BSPM@bsu.edu.

For more information, visit ballstatepbs.org or contact Angie Grimes, interim general manager, at 765-285-2742.