Dan Patch Days Community Festival

The Dan Patch Days Community Festival is an annual family-friendly event held in Oxford, Benton County, Indiana, primarily at Rommel Park. It features a variety of activities including a rodeo on Saturday and Sunday, a car and tractor show, a baseball tournament, vendors, and plenty of food options such as a Fish Fry on Saturday. The event concludes with a parade on Sunday.

The festival atmosphere is community-centered, fun, and inclusive, emphasizing family engagement with accessible activities and entertainment. The rodeo is a highlight, showcasing professional rodeo action with events such as Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie Down Roping, and Bull Riding, held at the Oxford Lions Club with live music and food vendors enhancing the lively, festive vibe.

A rough schedule for the 2025 festival includes:

• Friday, September 12: Festival starts (main activities primarily at Rommel Park)
• Saturday, September 13: Fish Fry, rodeo (starting at 7 PM at Oxford Lions Club with gates opening at 5 PM and live music beforehand), car and tractor show, baseball tournament, vendors, and family activities.
• Sunday, September 14: Rodeo continues, concluding with a parade through Oxford and various ongoing festival activities.

The event is handicapped accessible and offers ample parking, including handicap parking specifically improved for the rodeo.

Historically, the festival is named after Dan Patch, a famous racing pacer linked to Oxford, and celebrates local heritage and community spirit. It is organized by a community-driven volunteer committee dedicated to maintaining and growing this tradition. The festival is free to attend and is deeply rooted in the community, often seen as one of Oxford’s premier annual celebrations.

In summary, Dan Patch Days combines traditional Midwestern festival elements—rodeo, parade, food, shows—with modern enhancements like organized parking and live entertainment to ensure a welcoming, fun event for all ages. The event not only celebrates local history but also brings together families and visitors for a weekend of wholesome entertainment.