Bluffton Free Street Fair

The Bluffton Free Street Fair is a multi-day annual event held in downtown Bluffton, Wells County, with a diverse range of activities including rides, vendor booths, food, games, parades, car shows, an idol contest, free entertainment, wrestling, live music, concerts featuring tribute bands, horse shows, and horse pulls. It is accessible to handicapped visitors and runs roughly from September 16 to September 20, 2025.

The event takes place in the vibrant downtown area of Bluffton, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere where families and community members can enjoy a variety of attractions and entertainment. The vibe is festive and community-focused, with an agricultural heritage influence, reflecting Wells County’s local culture and traditions.

Activities and Descriptions:

• Rides and Amusements: Provided by Poor Jack Amusements with unlimited ride bracelets available, featuring kiddie rides as well as more thrilling options.
• Vendor Booths and Food: Numerous food and crafts vendors offer a range of local cuisine and products.
• Games: Various games for children and adults contribute to the family-friendly environment.
• Parades: Notably the Industrial Parade on September 18 at 6 PM on South Main Street, featuring community organizations and local political groups.
• Car Show: Exhibiting a wide range of classic and custom vehicles.
• Idol Contest: A singing competition culminating with a grand finale during the fair.
• Free Entertainment: Includes wrestling events and other live performances.
• Live Music: Concerts featuring tribute bands (such as a Garth Brooks tribute in previous years) on main stages.
• Horse Events: Horse Shows take place around the 4-H Park prior to and during the fair; Horse Pulls occur on September 20.
• Industrial Parade: Organized by local groups with lineup starting at 5 PM and parade commencing at 6 PM on September 18.

Rough Schedule:

• September 16: Opening Night Parade and start of festivities.
• September 17-20: Rides open with bracelets available for unlimited rides during the evening hours mostly from 5 PM onward.
• September 18: Industrial Parade at 6 PM on South Main Street.
• September 20: Horse Pull event at the 4-H Park.
• Live music and wrestling events are scheduled mainly in the evenings across the duration of the fair.

History and Founding:

The Bluffton Free Street Fair has roots intertwined with the Wells County Agricultural Exposition, celebrating local agriculture and community spirit for many years. It is supported by the Bluffton Free Street Fair Association, Inc., and traditionally partners with Poor Jack Amusements for rides. The event has evolved to include modern entertainment such as live music and contest competitions while preserving its agricultural and rural heritage focus.

Overall, the fair offers a “Passport to Fun” with family-friendly and diverse activities, serving as a key annual community celebration in the East Wells region and downtown Bluffton.