Road-Ready: Your Guide to a Packed Festival Weekend Across Indiana, Oct. 9–12, 2025

Indiana communities across the state are gearing up for a busy fall weekend of festivals and heritage events that promise engines, art, international food, and family fun. From Thursday’s Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association Swap & Sell in Portland to Sunday’s car shows and pumpkin patches along the Ohio River and southern counties, organizers and longtime volunteers say the weekend will blend nostalgia, hands‑on demonstrations, and small‑town celebration.

The roundup below lays out what to expect — who’s hosting, where to go, and why each event matters — so readers can plan short road trips, family outings, or a single-day cultural detour.

Tri-State Gas Engine & Tractor Association 21st Swap & Sell Meet — Portland (Oct. 9–11)

What: A swap meet focused strictly on antique gas engines, tractors and related parts for buy, sell, or trade.
Where: Club grounds adjacent to the Jay County Fairgrounds, 1010 N. Morton St., Portland, Jay County.
When: Opens Thursday, Oct. 9 (grounds open 8:00 AM; public entry not allowed before 7:00 AM on Oct. 9), continues through Saturday, Oct. 11.
Why go: Collectors and restorers will find hard-to-source parts and veteran vendors. Food is served on the grounds — including breakfast — often prepared by local service groups.
Insider tip: Arrive early on Friday to beat the busiest browsing hours; expect bargaining and trade-oriented stalls rather than large public exhibits.

Antique Steam & Gas Engine Tractor Show — Boonville (Oct. 10–12)

What: Live sawmill and threshing demonstrations, operational steam and gas engines, a flea market and heritage displays.
Where: Threshermen’s Park, 2144 New Harmony Rd., Boonville, Warrick County.
When: Friday–Sunday, Oct. 10–12 (gates typically open early; Sunday often winds down by mid‑afternoon).
Why go: The show's working demonstrations animate agricultural history — steam-powered sawmills and “hit and miss” engines create a sensory, hands‑on experience for families and history buffs.
Practical note: Bring ear and sun protection for machinery displays and wear sturdy shoes for walking across park grounds.

Ethnic Expo — Columbus (Oct. 10–11)

What: A downtown celebration of global cultures featuring international food booths, a marketplace, continuous live entertainment, art, and children’s activities.
Where: Downtown Columbus surrounding City Hall, 123 Washington St., Columbus.
When: Friday–Saturday, Oct. 10–11, 11:00 AM–10:00 PM each day.
Why go: The 40th Ethnic Expo celebrates Columbus’s diverse community; organizers expect attendance to rival recent years when crowds exceeded 30,000. Visitors can sample cuisines from around the world and enjoy nonstop stages of music and dance.
Tip: Plan to arrive before the lunch rush to sample popular food booths with shorter lines; bring cash for some vendors though many accept cards.

A Renaissance in Roanoke — Roanoke (Oct. 11)

What: An outdoor juried art marketplace with original art, handmade crafts, demonstrations, and live music.
Where: Historic downtown Roanoke, Main Street.
When: Saturday, Oct. 11, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Why go: Now in its 18th year, this family‑friendly festival pairs a boutique farmers’ market with regional artists and a plein air paint-out competition (cash prizes awarded), making it a great stop for art collectors and families.
Pro tip: Walk the brick sidewalks early to watch the plein air artists at work and scout pieces before crowds arrive.

Cannelton Heritage Fest — Cannelton (Oct. 11)

What: Arts & crafts marketplace, live music and artisan demonstrations in a historic riverfront downtown.
Where: Washington (Main) Street, Historic Downtown Cannelton, Perry County.
When: Saturday, Oct. 11, roughly 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Why go: The event showcases local craftsmanship against a preserved 19th‑century backdrop along the Ohio River Scenic Byway — an ideal, walkable day trip.
Local note: Combine the festival visit with a short historic walking tour of downtown landmarks.

Feast of the Hunters’ Moon — West Lafayette (Oct. 11–12)

What: A living history reenactment of an 18th‑century French and Native American gathering with music, military drills, trading posts, crafts, and hands‑on children’s activities.
Where: Fort Ouiatenon Park, 3129 S. River Road, West Lafayette (on the Wabash River).
When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (9:00 AM–5:00 PM) and Sunday, Oct. 12 (9:00 AM–4:00 PM).
Why go: The festival recreates the atmosphere of a mid‑1700s fur‑trading outpost with free programming across multiple stages and interactive demonstrations such as candle‑dipping, storytelling, and beadwork.
Family tip: Pack a small picnic blanket and enjoy the riverside setting; programming is continuous and suitable for children.

HOPE Medora Goes Pink 5K — Medora (Oct. 11)

What: A community 5K run/walk raising funds and awareness for cancer support, plus festival activities like wagon rides and food.
Where: Medora; registration and start at Medora Christian Church.
When: Saturday, Oct. 11 — race registration 8:00–8:45 AM; race start 9:00 AM.
Why go: Community spirit and cause-driven energy — pre‑registration is $20 and includes a T‑shirt; race day registration is typically available.
Accessibility: The course is flat and welcoming to walkers and runners of all levels.

Hagerstown Fall Festival — Hagerstown (Oct. 11)

What: A community fall festival with local vendors and family activities.
Where: Hagerstown, Wayne County (community locations vary; check local postings).
When: Saturday, Oct. 11.
Why go: Small‑town charm and grassroots events usually mean free admission and casual, family‑friendly programming.
Note: No central website was listed; visitors should check town or Chamber social pages for last‑minute details.

Harper Valley Pumpkin Patch Days — Westport (Oct. 11–12)

What: Pumpkin patch on an 8‑acre field with pumpkins, gourds, mums and family farm activities.
Where: Harper Valley Farms, Westport, Decatur County.
When: Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 11–12.
Why go: A classic fall farm experience — pick your pumpkin and enjoy simple farm fun with children.
Practical tip: Bring a wagon or a tarp for carrying pumpkins and dress for muddy fields if it has rained.

Sleepy Hollow Car / Arts & Crafts Show — Vevay (Oct. 11)

What: Car show along the Ohio River paired with an arts & crafts marketplace featuring local vendors.
Where: Paul Ogle Riverfront Park, Vevay, Switzerland County.
When: Saturday, Oct. 11.
Why go: Scenic riverside setting plus classic cars and handmade goods make this a relaxed, photogenic stop.
Parking: Riverfront parks can fill early; plan to arrive mid‑morning or use designated overflow lots.

Bristow’s Octoberfest & Street Rod, Antique & Classic Car & Truck Show — Bristow (Oct. 12)

What: Street festival with food, craft and music vendors and a car show featuring street rods, antiques and classics.
Where: Bristow, Perry County.
When: Sunday, Oct. 12.
Why go: A warm‑up for Sunday drives — find dash plaques, wagon rides and family‑friendly music.

A quick note on Halloween Illuminations & Hayrides (Newburgh)

Correction: Promotional materials list Historic Newburgh’s Ghostly Hayrides and Halloween Illuminations for Oct. 17–19 and Oct. 24–26, not Oct. 10–12. If you planned to include Newburgh this weekend, adjust itineraries; official locations begin at the Gene Aurand Trailhead (SR 662 and Yorkshire Drive), with rides running later in October.

What this weekend means for readers

Options abound for short drives and day trips: northern attendees can pair the Portland swap meet with West Lafayette’s Feast of the Hunters’ Moon; central Indiana visitors can sample global flavors at Columbus’s Ethnic Expo and then head to Roanoke for art.
Expect crowds at big draws (Ethnic Expo), hands‑on learning at heritage shows (Boonville, West Lafayette), and bargain hunting at the Portland swap meet.
Check official pages and social channels for last‑minute weather updates, gate times and admission details. Many events post parking maps, vendor lists and volunteer contact info days before opening.

Practical travel tips

Arrive early Saturday for the best parking and cooler temperatures.
Carry cash and small bills for food booths and smaller vendors; many accept cards but some do not.
Dress in layers and bring a compact chair for performances or demonstrations.
If attending machinery or steam demonstrations, keep children at a safe distance and follow posted safety guidance.

Organizers and volunteers say the weekend’s mix of heritage, food and community events reflects the season’s best: a chance to reconnect with local traditions, find a unique artisan piece, or simply enjoy an autumn day on the road.

For up‑to‑date admission fees, vendor maps and weather contingencies, festivalgoers should consult the events’ official websites or local chambers of commerce. This weekend offers an especially rich stretch of small‑town festivals and regional showcases — a reminder that Indiana’s festival season still has plenty of buildable momentum heading into October.

Sources: event listings and local festival promotional materials for dates, locations, and programming details. Verify final times and admission with organizers before departing.