INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The laughs are taking over Fountain Square this weekend as comedians from across the country gather for the fifth annual Let’s Fest.

The festival runs Thursday through Sunday, showcasing stand-up, sketch and improv comedy at multiple venues in Fountain Square and beyond.

Co-founder Jared Busch says the idea came from wanting to expand Indianapolis’ entertainment scene beyond its traditional reputation as a sports and music city.

“Indianapolis has a great existing comedy community,” Busch said. “We wanted to bring comics that we like to see, that don’t always make it to the Midwest. And we’ve been doing that for about 10 years. This is our fifth comedy festival.”

Busch says the festival is designed to highlight both national acts and local talent while creating an intimate experience that can’t be replicated online.

“You can’t really appreciate the quality of a comic sometimes if you’re not just right there in front of them and in person,” Busch said. “That’s when you actually get to see the magic.”

Organizers also believe comedy plays a bigger role during challenging times.

“I think comedy is very important in that way that it’s a sort of social binder and a social relief,” Busch said. “We can all get together and just laugh at how absurd life really is.”

Individual tickets are available for each show, or fans can purchase a weekend pass for $130. Busch says affordability was important when planning the event.

“We want to make it very approachable and affordable so that people of all income can do their best to come and be part of something that is a community effort,” he said.

For more information about Let’s Fest, including a full schedule and ticket details, click here.

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