Amish Country Blog

Linton’s Enchanted Garden is one of my most favorite places in Amish Country. There is so much to look at, and many things to do there. The garden center is packed full of items for the house. There are always unique and lovely things to help make the inside of your house beautiful, especially during this time of the year. They have lots of fall and Christmas decorations. The Garden Center also holds the floral shop, so you can pick up your fresh flowers too.

Outside, are all the plants, trees, shrubs and flowers you could want. At this time of the year, there are also pumpkins, and you can get whole or half bales of hay. I bought 3 small pumpkins, one medium, and a half of bale of hay. I don’t know if we’re going to decorate the pumpkins, but it’s as festive as I’ve gotten in five years.

October 24 and 25 is Spooktacular. You can save on plants and flowers, and the kids get treats too.

So when you need that plant or flower, go to Linton’s. You’ll find the perfect plant, and a few other things to go along with it.

- 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 won’t break your pocketbook to enjoy the best of cool jazz and city flair at the Elkhart Jazz Festival, June 26 – 28. Soak it all in at the free public stage to enjoy an impressive line-up musicians playing jazz ranging from big band to bebop to straight-ahead.

You can also buy a ticket that admits you to five additional stages- with one ticket you can hit them all. Plus everything is within easy walking distance in downtown Elkhart.

Take time to stroll Elkhart’s RiverWalk, a paved path along the Elkhart and St. Joseph Rivers. The two rivers merge downtown. Cross the footbridge onto Island Park and the cool shade of towering trees or just sit and enjoy the public art and waterfall along the path. Downtown eateries and cafes are just steps away.

Feed your artistic spirit at the Midwest Museum of American Art. No admission charge on Sundays and just  a few dollars other days. This gem in downtown Elkhart displays great American art from the early 19th thru the 20th centuries and boasts the largest Norman Rockwell lithograph collection in the state.

Do you attend the Elkhart Jazz Festival every year? Will you be going for the first time this year? Let us know!

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