Amish Country Blog

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

Kercher’s Harvest Festival is coming up on October 10th and 11th.  I’m sure if you go, you’ll have fun.

When I was little, Kercher’s Market use to be on SR 15, and it was one of my first experiences with farm fresh vegetable and fruits.  I can still remember how the place smelled like apples.  They changed a little bit over the years, but it’s still a fun experience.

At the Harvest Fest, you can pick pumpkins and apples.  I love going out to the pumpkin patch and seeing what kinds of pumpkins other people are getting.  Some people wanted the biggest pumpkin they can get, but remember you’re carrying that 15lb pumpkin to the car—without dropping it! It does make decorating for fall enjoyable.

Kercher’s has great food at the Harvest Festival, along with plenty of apple cider. Of course, there are apples, lots and lots of apples.

So go to Kercher’s Harvest Festival and enjoy your day outside, enjoying fall.  If you have any memories of Kercher’s you’d like to share, let me know.  I’d love to hear from you.

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

The Bonneyville Mill Celebration was a nice event. It is touted as an old fashioned country fair. I was there on Saturday morning, and already, the parking area was filling up. If you have never been to the Bonneyville Mill, you missed a wonderful opportunity to see how it runs. Lots of people were exploring the Mill, and buying the flour. It’s amazing to see the inside of the mill and how it works. A lot of old fashioned technology went into it, and I still find myself awed when I tour the Mill.

There were a few local farmers selling produce. Apples are abundant now, and there lots of 5 pound bags of different varieties for sell. Area churches selling hot food. The parks department was selling root beer, which went fast.

They had an area for kids with old fashioned toys. I loved seeing how simple toys were, and how much more imagination kids used.

The other great thing about having the event at the park was the ability to walk the grounds after you had your fill of the events. I love walking around Bonneyville Mill County Park. It is a beautiful area.

So next year, try the Bonneyville Mill Celebration. I bet you and your family have fun.

-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.

Fall is my favorite time of year.  The leaves start turning, and going home, I get to drive down east Jackson St., and enjoy the beautiful color. It’s that time when we need sweaters at night or early in the morning, and I get to start dressing my baby in ‘jammies’ that need footies. (They are my one of my favorite things.) 

The morning air is crisp, but doesn’t assault your mucus membranes when you inhale, like January and February air.  You can keep your windows open in at night, put on an extra blanket, snuggle up to your favorite bedtime buddy, and just enjoy the fact you’re not spending money on cooling the house down, or heating it yet.   

There is The Best of Autumn Outing driving tour on the Amish Country website.  Download it from the Special Tours tab, and go to all the places that celebrate fall. Take a walk down E. Jackson St. and sit for awhile at Martin’s Landing. The ducks are use to people feeding them, so when you go, expect to surround by a group or two. Go to Bonneyville Mill, take your last picnic of the year, and enjoy being outside before you have to stay in for the winter. 

Go to Middlebury and find Dutch County Market, Miller’s Apple Cider Mill and Pumpkin Patch Market– buy some pumpkins.  Then head to Goshen and walk the Mill Race, and then go to Kercher’s Sunrise Orchard. Or go to Amish Acers and see all the great things they do for fall and end your day by watching Kiss Me Kate at the Round Barn Theatre. Whatever you do, it will be fun.

If you live here, take all season and discover autumn in our area.  If you’re visiting, take a couple of days to explore the Best of Autumn Outing - it will be worth your time.

Mindy – Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

Summer is coming to an end and if you are feeling a little blue, then the Island of Blues is the place for you. On Saturday, August 23, 2008, Island Park in Elkhart will feature 7 hours of the top blue artists, including Grammy Nominee Randy McAllister from around the United States. Even if you are not blue, this promises to be a great way to spend a Saturday evening. For tickets go to russellproducts.com/islandofblues/index.html.

-Tasha, Amish Country Northern Indiana contributor

Quilters Find Treasures In Amish Country

The history of quilting dates back to the early 19th century. Many Amish quilters have embraced this as a social activity and an art medium. Amish women began quilting around 1870 but within just 15 short years Amish Quilts became quite common.Today’s Amish and Mennonite women in northern Indiana still enjoy quilting. Quilt supply shops, quilt stores and annual benefit auctions make this area a fantastic place to visit if you have an interest in quilting. Enjoy shopping at places such as Yoder’s Department Store, The Quilt Shop and Lolly’s Fabrics. Stocked with thousands of fabric bolts and quilting supplies, hard to find items are often located here. Take time to admire the work of local women and purchase an Amish quilt at Little Helpers Quilt Shop or Martins Quilt Shop.

Are you searching for the perfect color pattern or a special design to match your decor? Custom quilt designs and one of kind treasures made to order can be found in Goshen at Quilt Designs.

Annual quilt auctions are just around the corner. Plan a visit during the Michiana Mennonite Relief sale September 22 or the Goldenrod Benefit Auction September 7, both events feature quilt auctions for a worthy cause and great locally made foods.

This weekend marks Earth day and the start of the Festival Season in Amish Country!

Wakarusa will kick off the tourist season with their annual Maple Syrup Festival. A 38-year tradition of Jumbo Jelly beans with custom made flavors will be available for sale! Visitors can also enjoy pancake breakfasts, maple syrup camp, parades and many other festival treats.

Goshen will host the Party for the Planet to celebrate Earth Day at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds Saturday, April 21 from 9AM to 1 PM. A live animal show featuring Jungle John from Silly Safaris Station at 9 AM. At 10:30 AM, Elkhart EnviroCorps will hold the play Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. 11 AM to 1PM enjoy a free concert with the Double Barrel Darrel. Other fun activities include recycled crafts, games, Adopt-A-Pet, and a tree seedling sale. Admission to the event is free and tree seedlings, food, and CDs will be available for sale. Sponsored by the Elkhart Environmental Center, Elkhart EnviroCorps, Elkhart County Parks, Elkhart Parks and Recreation, Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District and Woodlawn Nature Center.

Nappanee’s Spring into Art will be held this weekend at their towns public library. “Bright Lights, Big City” will be this years theme at the juried art show and sale. The weekend’s activities include the art show, games, demonstrations, live entertainment and children’s activities. Admission is free. Open Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm.