Ligonier, Indiana Annual Festivals and Activities
Marshmallow Festival
When this popular Ligonier, Indiana festival first began, it was known as “Strawberry Valley Days.” The festival was created to celebrate life in Ligonier, Indiana. The name of the festival was chosen because of the abundance of wild strawberries growing along the Elkhart River when the first settlers arrived. As the town grew and changed, the name of the festival was changed to “The Ligonier Marshmallow Festival” after “Kidd & Company,” which once manufactured marshmallows in Ligonier. Festival activities revolve around the marshmallow theme. Past festival activities have included a kiddie parade, a grand parade, arts and craft exhibits, contests, games, rides, a variety of entertainment, a car show, music, and lots of delicious festival food. Festival goers can enjoy juicy pork burgers, crispy elephant ears, tacos, locally made ice cream, snow cones, pizza, marshmallow treats of all kinds, and much more.
Taste of Noble County
The annual Taste of Noble County Ethnic Festival does not only refer to the delectable variety of food available. This ethnic festival, sponsored by the Noble County Community Foundation and several other generous sponsors, features ethnic entertainment, fun activities, contests, and a variety of demonstrations. Past festival entertainers have included Asian singers and instrumentalists, Hispanic dancers and singers, Middle Eastern dancers, Latin bands, Scottish bagpipe players, clog dancers, Christian singers, and a variety of other performances. Past festival activities have included helicopter rides, camel rides, a petting zoo, games, a rock climbing wall, and a laser light show, just to name a few. Last but not least, visitors can enjoy delicious ethnic cuisine from many different parts of the world. This fun festival is a great opportunity to learn about other cultures while enjoying a variety of entertainment and delectable ethnic food. For inquiries call toll-free at (866) 894-6832.
Stone’s Trace Pioneer Festival
Come to the Stone’s Trace Pioneer Festival in Ligonier, Indiana, and take a step back to another century. The aroma of campfires and food, and the sound of old-time music and merriment will take festival guests back to the days of the first settlers. Stone’s Trace Pioneer Festival offers something of interest for everyone. Built in 1839, Stone’s Tavern now serves as a museum and the home of Stone’s Trace Regulators. The festival features a variety of demonstrations including knife and tomahawk throwing, and muzzle loading. Visitors to the festival can watch talented folks dressed in authentic period clothing demonstrate how early ancestors made hand-dipped candles, baskets, and hand-stitched quilts. Demonstrations also include yarn spinning, pottery making, wood carving, weaving, chair caning, soap making, natural dyeing, leather tooling, and porcelain painting. There are herb gardens and many other interesting areas to explore. When festival guests want to sit back and relax, they can enjoy a variety of entertainment including clog dancing and folk singing. They can also enjoy old-fashioned dulcimer and fiddle playing. After working up an appetite why not try a bowl of old-fashioned ham and beans or a mouth-watering pork burger along with a thick slice of Indian fry bread or crispy hand-dipped onion rings? If you like pork rinds, you will love the pork rinds at Stone’s Trace Pioneer Festival. Store-bought pork rinds simply cannot compare to the pork rinds made and sold there. For dessert, festival guests can savor homemade pie, crunchy caramel corn, tasty apple fritters, or apple slices smothered with creamy caramel syrup. Visitors can wash it all down with some ice cold old-fashioned lemonade. Stones Trace Pioneer Festival is held during the month of September, and it is located at the corner of U.S. highway 33 and state road 5 in Ligonier. There is a small admission fee, but bus shuttle service from the parking lot of West Noble High School across the highway to festival grounds is free.
Pumpkin Fantasy Land
Each year as fall approaches, the festivities begin at Fashion Farm in Ligonier, Indiana. Fashion Farm is a well-known restaurant in Ligonier that serves a variety of dishes to satisfy any palate all year round. Fashion Farm also has a greenhouse and garden center, a gift shop, and a historical museum. Pumpkin Fantasy Land has a large display of more than 100 pumpkins and gourds that have been artistically transformed into people, animals, and various characters. There are also corn mazes and wagon rides. Fees for activities at Pumpkin Fantasy Land are nominal. Fashion Farm is located at 1680 Lincoln Way West in Ligonier, Indiana. Call (260) 894-4498 for additional information.
Ligonier, Indiana is a friendly town with lots of history and culture, and its residents look forward to the many yearly festivals and annual activities available. Out-of-town guests are made to feel welcome in Ligonier, Indiana, and that is just one of the many reasons festivals and activities are popular in Ligonier year after year.
