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:
Frankfort Hot Dog Festival
Where: Frankfort, IN
When: July 28- July 29
About: The Frankfort Hot Dog Festival is packed with activities-many of which include hotdogs or hot dogs. In addition to a huge hotdog grille, the festival boasts a petting zoo, dog show, firefighter training show, skateboard show, kids fun run, a Harry Potter Party, and more. Check out their schedule before deciding on which day to go.
55th Annual Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival
Where: Nappanee, IN
When: August 3- August 6
About: Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival, for the ninth time, has been chosen by The American Bus Association as one of its TOP 100 Events in North America in 2016. Amish Acres Tour, Rides, Shops, Famous Family-Style Restaurant, The Round Barn Theatre Showing Plain and Fancy, and Guys and Dolls, which will be presented in the Round Barn Theatre throughout the festival.
59th Annual Schweizer Fest
Where: Tell City, IN
When: August 9 – August 12
About: The festival, which honors the original residents of Tell City, starts off with a bang- free rides for all kids. The festival continues with walking tours of museums, quilt competition, train rides, live music from local artists, and even Coyote Chris.
Image courtesy of the Madison Ribberfest website.
Madison Ribberfest
Where: Madison, IN
When: August 18- August 19
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.
Image courtesy of the Blueberry Festival website.
Blueberry Festival
Where: Plymouth, IN
When: September 1 – September 4
About: Celebrate one of nature’s greatest gifts- the blueberry- with the folks of Plymouth, IN. Their annual festival includes blueberry stomps, a carnival with tons of rides, kayak races, silly safaris, crafts, games, and tons of live music.
Tipton County Pork Festival
Where: Tipton, IN
When: September 7- September 9
About: The three-day festival is a family friendly event for everyone- even if they don’t love pork! The festival kicks off with pork chops booths galore, followed by a carnival, parade, live music, and more. The festival also hosts a “Kids Corner” and opportunities for kids to make n take in various craft tents.
Columbus Scottish Festival
Where: Columbus, IN
When: September 9 – September 10
About: Head down to Columbus, IN for a weekend of Scottish celebration, entertainment, and history. The festival features sheepdog demonstrations, bagpipes, Scottish inspired games like Haggis Toss, a Highland Dance, parade, and much more. The festival is also full of live music, all of which is inspired by the country.
Sheepdog Demonstration. Image courtesy of Scottish Festival website.
Roann Covered Bridge Festival
Where: Roann, IN
When: September 7 – September 10
About: Although the town is only home to about 400 residents, they attract ten times as many for the annual Covered Bridge Festival. The free festival is known for including an antique tractor pull, a parade, a pedal tractor pull, mud volleyball, live entertainment and, of course, a carnival with tons of rides.
Nappanee Apple Festival
Where: Nappanee, IN
When: September 14 – September 17
About: 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! The festival showcases 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 many more activities throughout the event.
