I’ve always been a firm believer that spending money on experiences is more enjoyable than spending money on things. Festivals are a great way to get out and see the lovely folks in a community, see some cool things, and eat some good food. While not many festivals take place in the middle of winter, I figured I’d get your attention to some of these so you can mark them on your calendars before they get too filled up.
1. Buskerfest
Buskerfest was a festival that I knew nothing about going in, but ended up being pleasantly surprised. This festival in Fort Wayne is a celebration of street performers, and it contains all kinds of eclectic acts. When I was there, I encountered a sword swallower, fire dancers, a unicycle crew, street gymnastics, and musicians! What is nice about this festival is that there is no entry fee and every performance is free!
Date: June 29, 2019
Address: Corner of Wayne and Calhoun in Fort Wayne, IN
Times: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
2. Ribfest
If you like barbecue, this festival is heaven. There are multiple BBQ celebrations in Indiana over the course of a year, but Ribfest is a festival that continues to amaze me. As it is another Fort Wayne festival, it usually brings an above average turnout and some amazing BBQ crews. There is an entire walkway full of award-winning barbecue to consume, and don’t even get me started about the glorious smell. This is not strictly a food event, either, as live music under a bandshell helps provide entertainment. This event will burn a hole in your wallet quickly, however, so be prepared.
Last year’s information…
JUNE 14TH - 17TH, 2018 | FREE THURSDAY-SATURDAY UNTIL 5:30PM
$6 ADULTS (13 & OVER) | $5 SENIORS | $4 STUDENTS, MILITARY, FIRE, POLICE
SUNDAY ONLY $3 ALL DAY (Headwaters Park in Fort Wayne, IN)
3. 3 Rivers Festival
Yes, I know, another Fort Wayne festival. However, this is one of Fort Wayne’s biggest gatherings of the year, generating over half a million attendees each year. This one week festival contains over 80 events, from things like bed races or raft races to Junk Food Alley and Art in the Park. It also brings in some pretty good musical acts as well, from talented cover bands to well-known Christian artists and 90’s-00’s bands.
Dates: July 12-20, 2019
Various Locations
4. Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival
This fair is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, which is
a feat not a lot of fairs can claim nowadays. If you like the sugary goodness
of authentic maple syrup, this festival is worth checking out! They will have
all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage, a parade, carnival, kettlecorn, animal
acts, a 5K, plenty of vendors, and contests!
Dates: April 26-28, 2019 11am-6pm
5. Indiana State Fair
The state fair is possibly the biggest “festival” Indiana has, and sadly I’ve never actually been to it. This is largely due to the fact that the fair happens in August when I’m just getting back to school. I really want to drive down and check it out one of these years. At this fair you have a whole bunch of carnival rides, fair food, and animal showings. The live music is another big draw. Even though I can’t tell you much more about the fair, I do know that a fair lasting 17 days has got to be worth checking out!
Dates: August 2-18
Cost: Currently $8 online + a convenience fee, but will be $12 closer to the fair
6. Heritage Days
Heritage is a festival held in Huntington, Indiana, every summer. There are a lot of events going on during Heritage Days, from car shows to a hot air balloon festival. There are also several special breakfasts and food events going on as well. Typically, a few blocks of downtown Huntington are blocked off for carnival rides. There will be a parade, too, which will highlight the theme that will be shown through each day’s activities. This year’s theme is 50’s. Heritage Days doesn’t contain an attraction that truly impresses me, but it is a good, old fashioned festival that I’ve had the opportunity to go to and enjoy over the years.
Dates: June 19-23
Cost: varies by event
7. Johnny Appleseed Festival
This festival is one that I was able to experience 2 years ago because I had heard a lot of people talking about how entertaining it is. I must, say, I was not disappointed. I’d be lying to you if I said that I cared a lot about the history of such fairs and festivals; I am all about the food that is available there. I couldn’t help but appreciate the set-up of Johnny Appleseed, however. An entire green space is taken over and set up to be like an 1800’s pioneer village, and this place was PACKED when I was there. That would probably be the one negative I’d have to say about my experience. It’s right next to the Coliseum in Fort Wayne, and parking there isn’t free. However, you can park at IPFW or Concordia High School and have a free shuttle come and take you to the festival. The festival has many sections: food, crafts, antiques, reenactments, and entertainment stages. There are typically over 200 booths there, and all vendors must sell/make food that was available in the 1800’s. People flock to the root beer stand, where you can have bottles refilled from previous years for a reduced price.
Dates: September 21st & 22nd Sat: 10am - 6pm Sun: 10am - 5pm
Cost: Free entry
8. James Dean/Ducktail Run
Now we come to another event that I have missed out on over my 5.5 years of living in Marion: James Dean/Ducktail Run. While these two are technically different events, they coincide on the same days and are very close to each other. Ducktail Run is a car show event featuring over 2,500 cars from 1972 and older. This event holds a flamethrower competition with the cars, which sounds awesome. Apart from the cars, there is also live music and a huge craft swap. This event runs September 26-29 in Gas City Park in Gas City, IN. James Dean Festival is a flashback to the 50’s, with a 50’s/custom car show, 50’s dance contest, James Dean look-alike contest, showings of Dean’s films, live music, a pet parade, and a 5K run. This event runs September 27-29 at Playacres Park in Fairmount, IN.
9. Greekfest
All things Greek take place during this event, which include food, music, dancing, and raffles! This is another Fort Wayne event at Headwaters Park, which plays host to many of Fort Wayne’s best festivals. I have not personally been to this event, but it sounds like a blast. There is also a marketplace and an area for amusement rides.
Dates: June 27-30. Admission is free between 11am-4pm each day, with a $5 charge from 4pm-10pm. It is free admission all day on Sunday.
10. Blueberry Fest
This festival, which takes place in Plymouth, IN, is one I remember as a child as being a highlight of the summer. My wife and I drove by on our way home from a weekend getaway 2 years ago, and it seems to still be going strong. While it does not take place during blueberry season, the name comes from the fact that the county used to produce 1/3 of Indiana’s blueberries. There is no shortage of blueberry foods at this festival, though. There are so many events during the days of the festival, some of which are races, a bike show, a car show, a horseshoe tournament, a dog show, a parade, live music, a craft show, a swimming competition, sports competitions galore, a balloon launch/glow, a fireworks show, a carnival, a pageant, a craft market, a tractor pull, and horse shows. If you’re reading this and are impressed by that list, know that there are even more events that I did not mention! No wonder 500,000 people come and check this event out each year! Parking is $8 at the high school, which includes a tram ride, but there are also plenty of other places to park (fees vary or are free). This event takes place in Centennial Park.
Dates: August 30-September 2, 2019
11. Indiana Bacon Festival (Delphi)
That’s right, Hoosiers. Indiana has a bacon festival. This
festival doesn’t just offer different types of bacon to sample, it offers all
kinds of other foods that bacon compliments, like bacon wrapped items and
chocolate covered bacon. There is also quite of bit of craft beer as well.
Other events besides sampling food include live music, a hog calling contest, a
bacon eating contest, boat rides, and a singing competition.
Dates: August 24, 2019 3-11pm
12. Versailles Pumpkin Show
This show/festival is one of the oldest in the state and dates back over 100 years! That alone makes it noteworthy, but it also has a giant pumpkin weighing contest that is quite a spectacle. Apart from that, it has a lot of other common festival events like live music, a carnival, eating contests, face painting, and a talent show.
Dates: September 27-29, 2019
Dates: September 27-29, 2019
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