Huge Bridge Festival Begins
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMore than one million visitors are expected for what organizers call Indiana's largest festival. The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival is in its 57th year, and has expanded from a three-day weekend to a 10-day event. It runs today through October 20.
Festival Information From Parke County Inc.
This countywide festival, Indiana's largest festival, always starts on the 2nd Friday in October is nationally known as one of the largest. Enjoy visiting communities throughout the county with a wide array of shopping and a variety of food that is sure to please everyone.
Headquartered on the courthouse lawn in Rockville, Indiana, since 1957, you will find food served by many of the non-profit organizations of the county that use funds from the Festival to promote their organizations throughout the year. A large tent and streets around the courthouse filled with crafters and vendors for your shopping delight are open daily from 9 am to 6pm. Some have been here since the festival began. Free entertainment is scheduled on the south side of the courthouse throughout each day.
Antique stores and shops around the brick lined streets of Rockville invite you stop by for a visit. You never know where you might find that one of a kind item you have been looking for, or something no one else has. The Covered Bridge Art Gallery on the north side of the square is open daily for your viewing of local artists display.
The Historic Ritz Theater is home to the Parke Players. It is located ? block west of the square, they provide entertainment, including the traditional melodrama, for the entire family during the festival. Tickets are $7.00 for all seats and the doors open 1 hour prior to curtain time.
Bridgeton offers a wide array of crafters and vendors, a gristmill, the 1878 House, and Case Log Cabin.
The Historic Mansfield Roller Mill, Mansfield Bridge, Mansfield Civic Center and hundreds of vendors and crafters are open daily in Mansfield Village.
Montezuma is home to the “Hog Roast” with many activities scheduled daily.
Mecca has a large tent of handmade items for your purchasing. The tent is located at the Mecca Bridge alongside the One Room Schoolhouse.
The Florida Civic Center in Rosedale provides items for your browsing and purchasing. This is a great location to find the treasure you might not find anywhere else.
Tangier Community serves that “world famous” buried beef that is a delicacy of the festival. Sugar Creek Flea Market is located nearby on US Hwy 41.
Bloomingdale, a Quaker Community, prepares Homemade Apple Butter at the Friends Church.
Many other roads throughout the county will take you to places that have crafters, vendors and activities during these 10 days.
The Old Railroad Depot (ample bus parking and restroom facilities) at 401 East Ohio is home to Parke County’s tourist information center. For all of your Parke County information contact Parke County Incorporated at P.O. Box 165, Rockville, IN 47872 or email info@coveredbridges.com for a map of the county with marked covered bridge routes, lodging listings, and schedule of events so that you may plan your visit during the Festival or at another time throughout the year. We are here to help you plan your visit to the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World.”
Source: Parke County Inc.