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

The ECCVB has long recognized the importance of cultural and heritage travel and developed the Heritage Trail to increase visitor volume, diversity, spending and economic impact for the entire destination. It’s the cornerstone for many programs. The nationally recognized route, along with a self-guiding audio tour, takes visitors into the downtowns of our cities and towns and along country roads introducing them to the area’s history, heritage, and people while directing them to must-see attractions. It’s dynamic; it’s popular; and it’s free. In 2009 alone, we’ve distributed over 3,200 Heritage Trail CDs. Add to that over 3,000 audio downloads from our website. When you consider our average visitor spends $52 per day and stays 2.8 days, then multiply that by an average 2.5 persons per vehicle, the economic impact of heritage travel is significant

-Diana Lawson, FCDME, ECCVB Executive Director

Have you driven the Heritage Trail Audio Driving Tour? Leave a comment and tell us about your experience.

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

This summer has flown by.  I think the cooler weather has made it easier to be out and about.  I know that I don’t feel the need to stay inside between the hours of 12pm and 2pm.  We have spent a lot of time at our area parks this summer.

We were at Bonneyville Mill Park this past weekend.  There were many families cooking out and getting together.  We walked to the Meadow, and then played on the playground equipment.  Another mom, being more adventurous than me, was hanging upside down on the monkey bars.  There were kids running around everywhere, and even saw three teenagers who smiled as they walked by the little ones.  Mina, my daughter, climbed up the rope ladder all by herself.   Then, she spent the next 10 minutes going up again and again.

We met with some friends, grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, and then had fun talking with the adults while the kids played and played. It was a great way to spend our Sunday Night.

So when you’re in Amish Country, go out to Bonneyville Mill Park. I know you’ll have fun.

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