Plan now to celebrate our Indiana State Parks and the relationship between the Hoosier State and artist Bob Ross by getting up and moving.
Indiana Set to Participate in Sixth Annual Happy Little Trees (Virtual) 5K
The Happy Little Trees (Virtual) 5k will be back in April 2025. The Happy Little Trees (Virtual) 5K, which started in 2020 with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, is currently held in nine states, including Indiana.
Celebrate Earth Day with the Happy Little Trees (Virtual) 5K
In 2025, the Happy Little Trees (Virtual) 5K will return, coinciding with the Hoosier State’s celebration of Arbor Day and Earth Day.
Remember Watching Bob Ross Teach the World to Paint on PBS?
The majority of us recall watching Bob Ross in the past. At the very least, you probably noticed a brief excerpt of one of his most well-known quotes as he skillfully taught the world how to paint stunning landscapes: “There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.” You probably even glanced past his show, “The Joy of Painting,” on the Public Broadcasting Service while browsing cartoons.
Bob Ross Taught Us That There Are No Mistakes
Perhaps you were among those of us who would pause and marvel at his exquisite drawings, which included “happy little trees.” With his characteristic denim shirts, his voice that sounded like a comforting hug, and his puff of curly hair, Bob Ross was undoubtedly a national treasure.
The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross was Filmed for Many Years in Indiana
Before being moved to the Edmund F. Ball Communication Building on the Ball State University campus, “The Joy of Painting” was shot for a number of years in a tiny studio inside the L.L. Ball residence in Muncie, Indiana.
In the early 1980s, landscape painter Bob Ross began taping THE JOY OF PAINTING in the original WIPB-TV studio a two-story yellow L.L. Ball home in Muncie, Indiana. Ross filmed this simple, soothing half-hour painting series in the small first-floor studio of the house, which still bears the X where he stood as he painted his happy little trees. In 1988, WIPB and the show moved to the Ball State University campus into the Edmund F. Ball Communication Building.
One Event to Celebrate Indiana Nature and the State’s Connection to Bob Ross
The Happy Little Trees (Virtual) 5K honors Bob Ross’s ties to Indiana as well as the natural world. In 2023, the event saw the inaugural participation of Indiana State Parks and Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, which raised $16,000 for the organizations.
The Happy Little Trees (Virtual) 5K Returns in 2025
The Happy Little Trees (Virtual) 5K will return to Indiana in 2025 and is accessible to anyone who wants to run or walk. The best thing about this 5K is that you may choose where you want to run and how fast you want to go.
READ MORE: Locate Your Next Indiana Hike with the Help of This Interactive Trails Map
Cost to Register for the Happy Little Trees (Virtual) 5K
The event will coincide with Arbor Day (April 25) and Earth Day (April 22) and run from April 19–27, 2025. Each participant will receive a commemorative race bib, a finisher’s medal, and a Happy Little Trees t-shirt for just $36 per person.
How to Register for the Happy Little Trees (Virtual) 5K in Indiana
While registration for the Happy Little Trees (Virtual) 5K is now available till April 15th, 2025, participants are advised to register by April 1st at the latest to guarantee race packet delivery.Make sure you choose Indiana from the dropdown menu at the bottom of the form when you register for The Happy Little Trees (Virtual) 5K.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
