Amish Country Blog

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 was in Downtown Goshen this past Friday for First Fridays. For those who don’t know, on the first Friday of every month, Goshen opens its downtown for the evening. There are special events that are planned, and businesses stay open later to welcome the guests.

There was entertainment for everyone on the courtyard lawn. The fountain in front of the Courthouse makes for a great kid gathering place. Amazingly, nobody was in the fountain. Music seemed to permeate the whole downtown. There was a band at the courthouse, and one Washington Street. My little one was dancing most of the night.

On this particular Friday, there was a cruisin’ reunion. For those of you that don’t know, Goshen allowed cruising, until they shut it down in the mid 1980’s. The event gave everyone with a vintage car to come out and have fun for the night. A few of the cars had to be helped along, but most of those older cars were still able to move without problems. The drivers were grinning from ear to ear. You could that they were having a great time.

So when you come to Amish Country, plan your visit to include the first Friday of the month, and plan to visit Goshen. You’ll be glad that you added First Fridays to your trip. If you’ve been to Goshen for First Fridays, let me know what you enjoyed about your time downtown.

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