Alexandria is home to many events, festivals, and attractions. Since 1942, Alexandria has been the home of the Madison County 4-H Fair. This annual event brings over 12,000 visitors to Beulah Park every July. People from all over the area will come to experience the fun, food, rides, and great 4-H competition that highlights the week's activities.
In August, the streets of the downtown are filled with over 4000 spectators and drivers for the Alexandria Grand Prix. This annual event has become the largest go-kart street racing event in Indiana. Sanctioned by the Southern Indiana Racing Association, this 2-day event brings drivers from all over the Midwest to race on the downtown streets at speeds up to 75mph.
Alexandria was nicknamed "Small Town USA" by the US Department of Defense during WWII. Booklets were created to show the typical US town to the enemy as a way of propaganda. The city holds an annual festival to honor this heritage with the Small Town USA Festival at Beulah Park. The festival features food, fun, entertainment, car shows, and the Walt Vector Memorial Horseshoe Tournament.
Famous residents of Alexandria include Bill and Gloria Gaither, winners of 7 Grammys and numerous Dove Awards. Gaither Studios is a very busy recording center for many different types of music. It is especially known worldwide for producing Southern Gospel Music. In the Fall, the Gaithers hold their annual Gaither Fall Fest on the grounds behind the studio. Over 62,000 people a year will come to Alexandria to visit the Gaither Festival, Studios, restaurants, and stores.
Alexandria is home to what is lauded by the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Largest Ball of Paint. Starting as a baseball in the 1970s, this ball now has over 24,000 coats of paint and weighs over 4 tons. Visitors can come and visit this wonderful and add another layer of paint to the ball. Celebrities like the Oak Ridge Boys, Tom Green, and Jimmy Kimmel have all painted the ball.
On the weekends in the Summer, you will see numerous gliders filling the skies above the community. The former Alexandria Airport is now home to the Central Indiana Soaring Society (Glider Club). This group meets every weekend to master the craft of glider flying. They also provide rides and lessons to the public.