Amish Country Blog

Children are invited to the Elkhart County Historical Museum to learn about the holiday customs immigrants have brought to Elkhart County.  This children’s activity day will be held on Saturday, December 12th from 10:00-4:00 and will feature crafts and activities for all to enjoy.

“The holiday season is full of fun and festive traditions and many of these traditions have been brought to us from cultures around the world,” says Curator of Education Rebecca Oestreich.  “This activity day will teach kids the history behind some of their favorite customs as well as introduce them to new traditions they can take and try out at home”.

For example, children will have the opportunity to explore the Swedish tradition of St. Lucia, the African American celebration of Kwanzaa, the European practice of St. Nicholas coming to fill shoes with treats, and the German immigrant custom of hiding a pickle on the Christmas tree.  “The Christmas tree pickle is a fun game where parents hide a pickle somewhere on the Christmas tree.  The first child to find the pickle gets an extra present and good luck all year long,” explains Oestreich.  It was originally thought to have come from Germany, but the tradition is now believed to have been started right here in the United States by German immigrants.

The children’s activity day will also focus on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  “The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a holiday celebration brought by Mexicans to our area.  It coincidentally falls on December 12th so we will be having special readings of Tomie DePaola’s book The Lady of Guadalupe throughout the day along with a craft,” says Oestreich.  “Additionally, one lucky child will win the DePaola book to take home.”

Admission to the Children’s Activity Day is $1/child.  For more information, please contact Rebecca Oestreich at 574-848-4322 or Rebecca@elkhartcountyparks.org.

- Rebecca Oestreich-Elkhart County Historical Museum

This is the time of year for Christmas Celebrations throughout Amish County.  Two of my favorite things about this time of the year are Santa and Music.  Santa doesn’t show up often, but its obvious breakfast is his favorite meal.  And the music in this area is beautiful, and helps to put me in the Holiday Spirit.

Breakfast with Santa:

December 5 at Central Fire Station from 8am to Noon.
December 13 at Amish Acres from 9am to 11pm.
December 19 at American Countryside Farmers Market beginning at 9am.

Music in Amish Country:

At the American Countryside Farmers Market there will be Christmas music every weekend until December 19 on the concert stage.  And while you’re listening to the great music, make sure you shop for unique gifts for everyone on your list.

Festival of Carols, presented by the Goshen College Choirs, will be performed on December 4.  This is a beautiful event, and one that will keep you coming back year after year.

Northridge High School is putting on a Christmas Show on December 12 called Christmas Traditions from 4pm-7pm that will feature both old and new holiday favorites.

The Elkhart Symphony Christmas Ensemble will play at Ruthmere on December 17.  Ruthmere is also dressed for Christmas.  So it will really help put you in the Christmas spirit.

No matter how you want to celebrate the Holidays in Amish Country, you’ll have a great time in Amish Country.  For more details about the above events, or to learn about other Amish Country Holiday events, please visit Amishcountry.org/events.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

Ahh, Halloween is on Saturday.  I have 500 pieces of candy, and I’m still not sure that it’s going to be enough.  Saturday is the big day, and it makes me nervous that there will be twice as many kids out as usual. This year,  I have out a half bale of hay and 4 pumpkins, and that’s the most festive I’ve been for Halloween in years.

Here are a few events that are going on in Amish Country to help get you in the Halloween mood.

Thursday, October 29
The Elkhart Environmental Center annual Monster Hike.  Bring your children out to trick or treat for Halloween with nature’s monsters. They will see live creepy crawlers. Costumes are encouraged. A $3 donation is appreciated. Please call 293-5070 to register.  It starts at 11am.

Friday, October 30
Hall of Heroes, the largest Superhero Museum in the world has been taken over by Doctor Doom and his fellow nefarious colleagues.  Experience this Halloween Extravaganza as seen from the villain’s point of view.  From 7pm to 10pm, admission is $5.

Trick or Treat on Main Street in Goshen.  Starting at Noon, you can visit participating Main Street businesses and do your trick or treating, and shopping all at once.  It’s a good way to get your little ones ready for the big day.

Saturday, October 31
American Countryside Farmers Market will give treats to all kids who dress in costume.  There will be games, clown, balloons, and entertainment.  It will be a fun time for all those who want to celebrate a little earlier in the day.

For more events, check out our events page at AmishCountry.org/events

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

I went to Kercher’s Sunrise Orchard on Saturday.   It was wet and cold, but we still managed to have the best time.  We were there about 10:30am, and the car lot was almost full.  We went right to the line for the tractor ride to go to the pumpkin patch.  It was a long wait.  I loved watching all the kids running to the apple orchard to pick the apples, and seeing people line up to buy all the great food items.

When we finally made it out the pumpkin patch, the ground was very wet, and I was very glad that I wore boots!  After about 20 minutes, we found our perfect pumpkin.  On the way pack from the pumpkin patch, we met a family who each had a pumpkin.  I found out they had been coming to Kercher’s every year since their daughter was five.  It’s great that families mark this event.

Early Saturday morning, I read a twitter from Kercher’s that they were roasting a hog for their pulled pork sandwiches.  I had to try one.  It was the best!  With apple cider and an apple dumpling, I had the best lunch.

So next year, when you need a pumpkin and want time to enjoy Fall, go to Kercher’s.  If you went to the Kercher’s, what did you enjoy doing?  Do you have a picture of your pumpkin?  Show us what you picked.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

You can always find something to do in Amish Country.   September is full of Festivals.  So here is just a listing. For details, please go to our event page at amishcountry.org/events.

Bristol Storytelling Festival September 11-12
Nappanee Apple Festival September 17-20
Borkholder Dutch Village Fall Furniture Festival September 18-19
Middlebury Fall Festival September 18-19
Mennonite Relief Sale September 26
Pumpkin Chase Race September 27

If you’ve been here for one of these festivals, let us know what you enjoyed about it.  I love the Mennonite Relief Sale.  Although I can’t afford any of the auction items, I love the feel of having all those people in one place helping a great cause.  I know many people love the Nappanee Apple Festival’s 7 foot pie.  Whatever your looking for, I’m sure one of our September festivals has something to enhance your trip.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

If you’re ever interested in what is going on in Amish Country, click on our events tab.  You’ll find all kinds of events, and hopefully one of them will add to your Amish Country experience.  September is full of festivals.

The Quilt Gardens Tour is viewable for one more month.  Make sure you come and enjoy the tour.  There have been some interesting things happening to the gardens this year.  In Wakarusa, a hail storm took out part of the Quilt Garden.  In Goshen, a critter ate a little of the Quilt Garden at the 4-H fair, although the Meadow  Brook Agriquilt would have been more to his liking.

The Elkhart Civic Theatre announced their 2010-11 season.  It looks another great year for Elkhart Civic.  Premier Arts is finishing out their 2009-10 family series. Sauder Concert Hall at Goshen College has another great lineup for their 2010-11 season, I want to go see the Chieftains, and the African Children’s Choir.  The Round Barn Theatre finishes their season with Cats, which I love!  I would also check out the Blue Gate Theater in Shipshewana.
So while you plan your trip to Amish Country, check out our events page.  I bet there is something on that page you don’t want to miss.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Travel Specialist

It was a drizzling, wet day on Saturday, and I almost didn’t want to go out, but Arts in Bloom and Taste of the Garden was happening at Wellfield Botanical Gardens, and so I went.  I figured since it was raining, I would quickly look at art, and then go home. I love art shows.

The event started at 11am, and at 11am, parking was already getting full.  Some of the artist were getting out their rain gear, but they were happy to see everyone still showing up despite the rain.  I looked at most of the booths.  Dismas House of South Bend had bracelets and key chains that residents made, and I now have a new keychain.

Then after the art booths, I took walk around the pond at Wellfield.  It is a lovely place, with the creek running on the backside. A lot of work has gone on the east side of the pond to make it a beautiful resting place. With waterfalls, walk paths, and a flower garden, it is an ideal spot to spend time outside.

I did not eat, but by noon, most of the table seating under the tent for the Taste of the Garden was full.  I know the food was great, but I was a more soaked than I wanted, so I decided to go home.  It was a great event, and I can’t wait for it to happen again next year.

I went to the Jazz Festival on Saturday with my two year old and my husband.
The music at the free stage was wonderful. I don’t know who was playing, but they were very good. The crowd really enjoyed listening. My husband Mike and I would have danced, but our toddler prevented that from happening. Having the free stage on grass this year made the concert feel a little more intimate and I felt like people were more relaxed in the park like setting.

The food was great too. I had a soft pretzel, chocolate ice cream and a cheeseburger. Thank goodness I have a two year old that shares food with me. It was delicious. Also from the food court, I could see the lots of people who were at other venues, strolling onto wherever they wanted to go next. It was nice to see people out and about downtown.

It was a great way to spend our time, and I can’t wait till next year.  So as you plan next year’s trip, think about coming at Jazz Festival time. I’m sure it will add a great addition to your Amish Country experience.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

This weekend is the Elkhart Jazz Festival. I love Jazz Festival weekend. The city seems a little happier. I love going downtown– seeing people that I haven’t seen for awhile,  watching people dancing, and knowing there are kids who are getting exposed to music that they may not be use . I also like seeing the new faces from people who travel from all over to be here for the Festival.
For those of you who don’t know, the Elkhart Jazz Festival is in it’s a three day festival that has over 100 world class jazz artist in 6 unique venues. You’ll hear sounds of classic, swing, big band, contemporary, Latin jazz, beepob, ragtime and Dixieland coming from downtown Elkhart. There is the free stage in Central Park, but you’ll need to buy tickets for the rest of the venues.
Call the Jazz Hotline at 800.597.7627 to order tickets or more information, or go to the Jazz Festival website at ElkhartJazzFestival.com. Come on out to the Elkhart Jazz Festival and enjoy the music.

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

Nothing says sweet like pure maple syrup and we pour it on – about 70 gallons over stacks of pancakes during the Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival .  Plus we go through 20 bales of pancake flour!  Not to mention going “whole hog” with 2,100 lbs. of sausage. That’s what it takes to feed 3,500 hungry people at the Lions Club Pancake & Sausage Meal.  I’ve been in charge of the Lions Club meal for the last 15 years.

It’s a family tradition. My parents were in charge of it for years too.  And my kids are involved, even coming home from college to help.  I’m totally committed, and I’m not even a Lions Club member!  All those pancakes raise lots of dollars that go back into the community for scholarships, kids’ eye exams and so many other great programs.  Come join us at the Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival, April 17 & 18, and eat lots of pancakes!

What is your favorite thing to do at the Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival? Leave a comment.
- Annette Brown, Pancake Lady Extraordinaire