Festivals are the perfect way to end the summer-and start off the school year. What’s even better than a local county fair, or even the Indiana State Fair, is a festival a little ways away, something new and exciting for the family to try out together. The festivals below range from all out BBQ festivals, to festivals celebrating culture, to festivals celebrating nothing but the town itself. Check out the IC guide below to choose the perfect festival to end the summer.
9 Indiana Small Town Festivals Worth the Drive:
Three Rivers Festival
Where: Fort Wayne, IN
When: July 12-20
Three Rivers Festival is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and draws nearly half a million visitors each summer that come together to have some fun, savor tasty treats, and catch up with old friends, all while making new friends and creating great memories! Three Rivers Festival offers everything from food to fun. Bring your family and friends and enjoy Food Alley, Art in the Park, the Bed Race, the Three Rivers Festival Parade, Trivia Night, Children’s Fest, and so much more!
Downtown Midway of Three Rivers Festival. Photo Credit: facebook.com/ThreeRiversFestival
57th Annual Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival
Where: Nappanee, IN
When: August 1- August 4
What began as a downtown clothesline art show 57 years ago has grown into one of the top arts and crafts festivals in the nation. 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.
57th Annual Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival, Photo Credit: amishacres.com
59th Annual Schweizer Fest
Where: Tell City, IN
When: August 7- August 10
This festival was founded in 1958 to honor the early settlers and the founding of Tell City with a grand centennial celebration. Today this is one of Indiana’s longest-running community festivals featuring walking tours of museums, a quilt competition, train rides, and live music from local artists.
Madison Ribberfest
Where: Madison, IN
When: August 16- August 17
About: Calling all meat lovers! The Ribberfest has a trifecta of meat activities: bbq vendors, a backyard bbq competition, and a Kid-q competition. In addition to the bbq, the fest is known for amazing blues artists, boat rides, bike, and foot races, plus a piglet pen activity zone for kids.
Madison Ribberfest, Photo Credit: madisonribberfest.com
Blueberry Festival
Where: Plymouth, IN
When: August 30 – September 2
Head to Plymouth, Indiana, for a celebration of one of nature’s greatest gifts: the blueberry. This annual festival includes blueberry stomps, a carnival with tons of rides, kayak races, silly safaris, crafts, games, and tons of live music.
Blueberry Festival, Photo Credit: blueberryfestival.org
Tipton County Pork Festival
Where: Tipton, IN
When: September 5-7
Celebrating 51 years, this three-day festival is fun for everyone – even those who don’t love pork! The festival kicks off with pork chops booths galore, followed by a carnival, parade, live music, and more. Young visitors will love the “Kids Corner” and make ‘n take activities in various craft tents. New this year, a street market will feature a wide range of vendors.
Columbus Scottish Festival
Where: Columbus, IN
When: September 14-15
Dive into a weekend filled with Scottish entertainment, competition, animals, athletics, history, music, food & drink and much more. The Children’s Area is packed with fun, including a bouncy castle, face painting, temporary tattoos, a craft corner and tons of kid-friendly games.
Sheepdog Demonstration at Columbus Scottish Festival. Image courtesy of Scottish Festival website.
Roann Covered Bridge Festival
Where: Roann, IN
When: September 5-8
This Annual Fall Festival is widely known for its FREE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT including an Antique Tractor Pull, Parade, Pedal Tractor Pull, Mud Volleyball, Live Entertainment and more!
Nappanee Apple Festival
Where: Nappanee, IN
When: September 19-22
The festival is home to Indiana’s largest 7 foot baked apple pie, which comes out of the oven just in time to kick off the festival! Visitors will enjoy two stages of entertainment, 130 craft vendors, 60 commercial vendors, carnival rides, a parade with signature military aircraft fly-over, a cornhole tournament, a 5K road run, an apple baking contest, a garden tractor pull, kids and adult pedal pull contests, a wings and wheels show at airport, apple peeling and pie-eating contests, and much more.
Nappanee Apple Festival, Photo credit: facebook.com/pg/napplefest
