Indiana’s Biggest Fall Festival Returns With 10 Days of Covered Bridges and Small Town Charm

It's mid-July, so "fall talk" is now fair game. Those are my rules, yes, but anyone can use them. I am officially ready for autumn, despite, at least, another month and a half of summer heat.

The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival

If you, too, want to discuss the best season of the year, come sit next to me and we'll talk about covered bridges. These amazing structures can be found just about anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains, and they will be celebrated once again in western Indiana. The fact that the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival, Indiana's largest, lasts 10 days is icing on the cake.

Obviously, you never have to wait until this annual festival to soak in the nostalgic beauty and charm of the "Covered Bridge Capital of the World." With 31 covered bridges, Parke County has more than earned the title.

What to Do at the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival

The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival, scheduled for October 9th through the 18th, is celebrated in Rockville and nine other communities.

If you go, you'll want to plan a visit to each one because they all offer something different. Start with Rockville, the county seat, and enjoy woodcarving demonstrations, antiques, and unique restaurants. A general store, an old schoolhouse, and other historic structures will greet you in Billie Creek Village. You'll discover mouthwatering dinner options at the Friends Meeting House in Bloomingdale. There's world-famous "buried beef" in Tangier, a huge county market in Rosedale, phenomenal cuisine options in Montezuma (minus the revenge), another beautiful old schoolhouse and popular tavern in Mecca, an enormous array of vendors in Mansfield, and the must-see historic district of Bridgeton.

October? Covered bridges? Need I say more?

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