8 Amazing Small-Town Indiana Festivals Worth the Drive

Festival season is in full swing, and you can find lots of charming celebrations happening all around the state. Here are some of the more popular small-town Indiana festivals that are worth traveling for!

8 Small-Town Indiana Festivals:

Rosedale Strawberry Festival

Location:  Rosedale, Indiana
Date: June 6-8

For the best home‑baked shortcakes in Indiana, visit Rosedale in June. This family‑friendly street fair has free concerts daily, crafts, KidZone, adult hobby shows, car, truck, heap shows, and more. Free parking, no admission, and a literal ton of freshly baked strawberry shortcakes.

Madison Regatta and Roostertail Music Fest

Location: Madison, IN
Date: July 4-6

Madison Regatta has been held annually for 74 years along the Ohio River and is one of the largest hydroplane races in the United States. The festival includes numerous other events, including the Roostertail Music Festival, Regatta Pageants, and more.

Peru Circus City Festival

Location: Downtown Peru
Date: July 11-19

Every year in Peru, Indiana, more than 200 kids and youth, ages 7 to 21, present circus performances during this week-long summer festival. Celebrate Peru’s circus heritage by witnessing beautifully costumed, skilled performers, as well as rides, food, games and more on the main streets of Peru. And for the grand finale, grab a seat and watch Peru’s own Circus City Parade, one of Indiana’s largest parades.

Famous Pickle Festival

Location: St. Joe, Indiana
Date: July 17-19

The 29th Annual Pickle Festival features a jam-packed lineup of family-friendly entertainment, including a town parade, live music, fireworks, and a car show. Kids can enjoy bounce houses, foam pits, face painting, and balloon art. For those with a competitive spirit, there are quirky contests like the Pickle Derby, Pickle Eating Contest, and Pickle Juice Contest.

Pierogi Fest

Location: Downtown Whiting
Date: July 25-27

Pierogi Fest is an opportunity to celebrate the city’s Eastern European history with the current culture that blends many backgrounds from around the world into a community that is totally unique. Enjoy the wacky Polka Parade, beer and wine gardens, specialty arts and crafts, and food galore. Tuck into a variety of different kinds of pierogi, and participate in games like the pierogi toss and pierogi-eating contest. 

Jasper Strassenfest

Location: Downtown Jasper
Date: July 31 – August 3

This family-oriented street festival is filled with German music and merriment. At the Jasper Strassenfest, visitors can enjoy a variety of authentic German food and tasty treats, dancing, games, a car show, parade and carnival rides. A popular activity at this fest is the free polka and German dance class open to everyone. 

Marshall County Blueberry Festival

Location: Centennial Park, Plymouth
Date: August 29 – September 1

Celebrate one of nature’s best blue fruits: blueberries! At the Blueberry Festival, families can come together to enjoy carnival rides and games, pony rides, laser tag, a lumberjack show, sports competitions, and lots of blueberries and blueberry foods! There will also be hundreds of crafters selling unique handmade wares. There’s something for everyone at this festival.

Valparaiso Popcorn Festival

Location: Valparaiso, IN
Date: September 6

This long-standing community tradition returns for its 46th year! The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival offers family-fun activities for all ages, with more than 250 arts and crafts booths, dozens of food booths, kids’ games, the five-mile Popcorn Panic race, two live music stages and the nation’s first Popcorn Parade.

Upcoming Small Town Indiana Festivals