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:
Artie Fest
Location: Downtown Martinsville
Date: July 29
Each July, Martinsville gears up for Artie Fest, an annual community celebration of all things Artesian. The festival kicks off on Friday night with live music and food vendors, and Saturday brings a 5K run/walk, car show, live music, kid’s activities and more. The festival culminates in an outdoor, family-friendly movie shown under the stars.
Three Rivers Festival
Location: Downtown Fort Wayne
Date: July 7-15
Indiana’s second largest summer festival, Three Rivers Festival draws nearly half a million visitors each summer. This weeklong fest offers everything from a food alley, a children’s fest, a drag show, an international village, art in the park, parade, and so much more, culminating with a fireworks finale on the final day.
Peru Circus City Festival
Location: Downtown Peru
Date: July 15-22
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.
Pierogi Fest
Location: Downtown Whiting
Date: July 28-30
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.
Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival
Location: Napanee
Date: Aug. 3-5
What began as a downtown clothesline art show 60 years ago has become one of the nation’s top arts and crafts festivals. Browse from a wide range of vendors, listen to live music, tour Amish Acres, dine in the famous family-style restaurant and enjoy performances in The Round Barn Theatre.
Jasper Strassenfest
Location: Downtown Jasper
Date: Aug. 3-6
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: Aug. 31-Sept. 4
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: Sept. 9
This long-standing community tradition returns for its 43nd 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.
