When: October 8-17,2010
Where: Throughout Parke County
View 2009 Available Vendor Space
Details:
This countywide festival always starting on the 2nd Friday in October is nationally known as one of the largest. Enjoy visiting 9 communities throughout the county with a wide array of shopping and a variety of food that is sure to please everyone. 2005 winner of Travelocity “Big Secrets Local Finds” and named in the 2009 Top 100 Events by the American Bus Association.
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. Art Gallery Website
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 $6.00 for all seats and the doors open 1 hour prior to curtain time. For more information visit Parke Players Website.
Billie Creek Village is a turn of the century village located 2 miles east of Rockville on US 36. The home of 30 historical buildings and 3 Covered Bridges is open daily with attractions and special events. Admission is $7.00. You might like to take the shuttle from the Old Jail on the town square to Billie Creek and leave your car parked uptown. The tractor shuttle runs continuously through the day and a round trip ticket is $3.00 per person. Billie Creek Village Website
Throughout the county other communties take part in the 10 day event.
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, 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 along side 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.
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 (Oct 9-18).
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 pci@ticz.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".