4 minute read
Worth the Trip
Worth the Trip: Indiana’s summer food festivals
By Cassie Johnston
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The Strawberry Festival (Crawfordsville)
Each year, Crawfordsville welcomes the mouthwatering symbol of early summer with its Strawberry Festival. Nosh on famous strawberry crêpes while browsing the art fair, where more than 100 artisans sell their handcrafted wares. Don’t forget to pick up a pint of berries for the trip back—local strawberries are for sale at many booths.
Details: June 10–12, Lane Place, 212 Water St., Crawfordsville. Admission free. Info: thestrawberryfestival.com.
Fort Wayne BBQ RibFest
Named one of the top barbecue festivals in the country by Martha Stewart Living magazine, the BBQ RibFest invites visitors to get messy with barbecue prepared by some of the nation’s most prized ribmasters. After you’ve had your fill of award-winning ribs, dance to an impressive lineup of blues bands.
Details: June 16–19, Headwaters Park, 333 S. Clinton St., Fort Wayne. Admission free before 5:30pm, $6 5:30pm–close, children (16 and under) free. Info: bbqribfest.com. North Judson Mint Festival
Once focused on producing corn and soybeans, many northwestern Indiana farmers are now concentrating on mint crops. The town of North Judson gathers yearly to celebrate the peppermint and spearmint harvest at the Mint Festival. Tour mint farms and distilleries, compete in the mint-themed cooking contest and sample treats like minty fudgy brownies. On your way out, pick up a mint plant to take home.
Details: June 17–19, Norwayne Field, at Talmer Avenue and Main Street, North Judson. Admission free. Info: 574-772-7258 or njmintfest@gmail.com.
Middle Eastern Festival of Indianapolis
Stay close to home and enjoy a taste of the Middle East. Hourly dance performances set a festive atmosphere as you sample your way through gyros, falafel and spanakopita at the Middle Eastern Festival. Hit the art market and pick up exotic gifts while you snack on honey balls—we hear they are a must-try.
Details: July 15–17, St. George Orthodox Christian Church, 4020 N. Sherman Drive, Indianapolis. Admission $5, children (under 12) free. Info: mefestival.org.
From pierogi to popcorn, there’s a food-themed festival in the Hoosier State fit for every taste bud. Pack your appetite and a road map and let us guide you to a culinary celebration this summer.
Pierogi Fest (Whiting)
Join Mr. Pierogi and his Pieroguettes in a whimsical celebration of Whiting’s Polish culture. Mingle with the quirky housecoat-clad grandmothers (known as the Babushka Brigade) or enter in Polish Idol—a singing contest where participants croon about food. The festival’s namesake dumpling will be available from more than a dozen vendors, but we’re even more excited to taste paczki—deep-fried Polish doughnuts.
Details: July 29–31, 119th St., Whiting. Admission free. Info: pierogifest.net.
Van Buren Popcorn Festival
As the self-proclaimed Popcorn Capital of the World, it’s only appropriate that Van Buren throws a party every summer to celebrate the crop that is their claim to fame. Munch on a handful of the crunchy snack from the popcorn tent before you settle in to watch the popcorn-themed parade as it runs through downtown Van Buren.
Details: August 11–13, downtown Van Buren. Admission free. Info: popcornfestival.org. Swiss Wine Festival (Vevay)
Enjoy a beautiful view of the Ohio River while sampling wines from more than a dozen Indiana wineries. Embrace the Alpine spirit by entering the Steintossen competition, in which participants toss around an 83-pound rock, or leap feet-first into the winemaking process by joining in the grape stomp. Not into strength tests or stained toes? Sign up for a riverboat cruise departing from the festival—we like the sound of the dinner cruise aboard the Queen City Clipper.
Details: August 25–28, Paul Ogle Riverfront Park, Ferry Street, Vevay. Admission $2 Thursday, $3 Friday–Sunday, $1 for children aged 5–12, under 5 free. Admission to wine pavilion $13, riverboat cruises $11–$28. Info: swisswinefestival.org.
It wouldn’t be a strawberry festival without shortcake.
Photo by Joe Boswell.
At the North Judson Mint Festival, sample mint brownies and bring
home a plant. Photo courtesy of Indiana Humanities.
Honey balls are a don’t-miss snack at the Middle Eastern Festival of
Indianapolis. Photo by David Sumner.
