It's the first Thursday in October. That means Riley Festival gets underway in Greenfield.

Saturday will be the birth date of the Hoosier Poet, born in Greenfield on October 7, 1849.

Each year, one of James Whitcomb Riley's poems is selected as the theme for that year's festival. The 2023 theme is "Nine Little Goblins."

Opening ceremonies are at 5 p.m. Thursday.