Model T Covered Bridge Tour

The Model T Covered Bridge Tour is a five-day event held from September 27 to October 1, 2025, based at the Parke County Fairgrounds near Rockville, Indiana. It is organized by the West Central Indiana Model T'ers Chapter of the Model T Ford Club of America. The event involves touring over 30 historic covered bridges and visiting Amish businesses in Parke County via scenic country drives, primarily on lightly trafficked, sometimes gravel roads. The tour caters specifically to Model T vehicle owners, promoting the preservation of automotive and local industrial history.

The vibe of the event is nostalgic, relaxed, and community-focused, blending vintage automotive enthusiasm with the charm of rural Indiana's Amish culture and historic sites. The fairgrounds provide camping facilities with clean bathhouses, ample parking for trailers, and access to nearby motels and bed & breakfasts. The event embraces a blend of antique car culture, local tradition, and scenic exploration.

Activities during the event include:

• Daily guided tours from Saturday through Wednesday around the covered bridges and Amish areas.
• Registration available all day Friday and Saturday morning.
• Outdoor swap meet and an ice cream social on Saturday.
• Amish dinners offered on Friday, Monday, and Tuesday evenings (limited to 24 participants per night, additional cost).
• A visit to the Model T Garage in Wallace, Indiana.
• Opportunities for Model T driving and riding for licensed drivers and enthusiasts.

Rough daily schedule and locations:

• Friday: Registration open all day at Parke County Fairgrounds; optional Amish dinner in the evening.
• Saturday: Morning registration continues; start of daily tours of covered bridges and Amish businesses; outdoor swap meet and ice cream social at the fairgrounds.
• Sunday to Tuesday: Daily scenic tours continue on country roads exploring the bridges and Amish communities; Amish dinners on Monday and Tuesday evenings.
• Wednesday: Final day of touring and closing of the event.

The event is handicapped accessible, emphasizing a friendly and inclusive environment for participants. Registration is required in advance, with a deadline typically around mid-August. Cancellation policies allow cancellations up to early September.

History and Founding:
The tour is organized by the West Central Indiana Model T'ers Chapter, linked to the Model T Ford Club of America. This annual fall event celebrates both the legacy of the Model T Ford and the unique historic bridges of Parke County, Indiana—a county renowned for its concentration of authentic covered bridges, a key tourism draw. Although smaller than the larger Parke County Covered Bridge Festival held in October, the Model T tour specifically highlights the intersection of automotive history and local heritage dating back decades as part of the regional appreciation for vintage vehicles and rustic charm.

Overall, the Model T Covered Bridge Tour offers a specialized, five-day cultural and automotive experience centered around driving vintage Model T vehicles through picturesque rural settings, cementing Parke County’s reputation as a premier destination for heritage tourism and antique car enthusiasts.