About This Festival
The Farmer's Pike Festival is an annual Labor Day weekend event held near New Castle, Indiana, celebrating antiques, arts, crafts, local culture, and live entertainment. In 2025, its 45th annual festival runs from August 29 to September 1 along the historic Farmers Pike route, offering nearly two miles of continuous shopping, with around 70+ booths featuring antiques, unique crafts, collectibles, and art from coast to coast. It includes diverse food vendors, live outdoor concerts, kid-friendly activities like balloon art and face painting, vintage car displays, and the opportunity to visit the Gloryland Lighthouse Chapel on site. The festival combines a friendly community vibe with a rich heritage atmosphere, drawing visitors interested in antiques, crafts, music, and family activities.
Location and setting:
- Located about 6 to 8 miles east of New Castle, IN, along Indiana State Road 38, at the corner of 850 East and 200 South.
- The area is centered near a rural crossroads surrounded by farmland, giving the festival a relaxed country setting.
- Free parking and a free shuttle service to the gate are provided, with handicap-accessible options.
- Nearby campgrounds and motels offer accommodations for visitors staying overnight.
Admission:
- Entry is $5 per adult; children 12 and under enter free.
- Admission covers all entertainment and activities inside.
Event Vibe:
- The festival has a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, with Christian influences evident in the presence of the Gloryland Lighthouse Chapel, which hosts visitors from many states and even weddings.
- Music genres include country, gospel, bluegrass, and classic soul, creating a lively but laid-back environment.
- The vibe is a blend of vintage Americana, community spirit, and artisanal craft culture.
Activities and schedule highlights for 2025:
| Date | Time | Activity Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Aug 29 | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM | Festival grounds open for antiques, arts & crafts shopping | Festival route |
| 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Live performance by Greg Rhodes (Country) | Main stage | |
| 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Cook & Belle band (Country, Soul, '60s, '70s, Gospel) | Main stage | |
| Sat & Sun | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM | Continual shopping, food vendors, children’s activities, vintage cars | Throughout grounds |
| Monday, Sept 1 | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Final day shopping and festivities | Festival route |
Other entertainment includes a variety of local and regional bands playing throughout the weekend, offering genres from traditional country and bluegrass to gospel and soul.
Additional notable features:
- Over 400 vendor spaces offering antiques, collectibles, fine art, unique crafts, clothing, and jewelry.
- Food booths with a wide variety of festival and local treats.
- Kid-friendly activities such as face-painting and balloon art.
- Vintage car displays and historic pike tours emphasize the area's heritage.
History and origins:
- The Farmer's Pike Festival started around 45 years ago as a local antiques and crafts fair.
- It has grown steadily into a prominent Labor Day weekend event renowned across Indiana and neighboring states.
- The festival’s motto “Acres of Treasures” reflects its focus on antiques and unique finds.
- The Gloryland Lighthouse Chapel, present for many years, reflects the event’s incorporation of community and spiritual elements.
Visitors often remark on the combination of expansive shopping, quality entertainment, and a relaxed country setting, making the Farmer's Pike Festival a distinctive celebration of Americana, arts, and local heritage.