North Salem Old Fashion Days

The North Salem Old Fashion Days is a vibrant three-day festival held from August 30 to September 1, 2025, in downtown North Salem and Machinery Field, Hendricks County, Indiana. This long-standing event, celebrating its 50th year in 2025, offers a lively small-town atmosphere with a wide range of family-friendly activities including live entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors, parades, races, contests, and more.

Surrounding Area & Vibe

North Salem is a small town of about 500 residents nestled in central Hendricks County. The festival transforms downtown and Machinery Field into a bustling hub full of historic charm and community spirit. The vibe is warm, friendly, and nostalgic, with a strong emphasis on old-fashioned small-town Americana traditions. It’s known for being welcoming and accessible, including handicapped accessibility.

Key Activities and Events

• Parade: The highlight of the festival and the largest parade in Hendricks County, featuring over 100 entries like classic cars, antique tractors, and emergency vehicles. It takes place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, along Pearl Street. Spectators often come early to secure viewing spots and bring containers for candy thrown along the route.
• 5k/10k Run & Walk: Held on Monday, September 1 at 8 a.m., this event starts at the corner of Broadway and Pearl Streets. The course goes out-and-back on scenic country roads with moderate hills. Awards are given in multiple categories and proceeds support local community projects.
• Truck Pull: A thrilling competition with heavyweight trucks pulling sleds, scheduled for Saturday, August 30 at 5:30 p.m.
• Horse Pull: The popular Tracy McGhee Memorial Horse Pull happens Sunday, August 31 at 7 p.m. at Machinery Field, showcasing powerful draft horses in an exciting contest of strength.
• Car Show: Display of classic and vintage cars, drawing enthusiasts and families.
• Arts & Crafts Vendors: Numerous booths featuring handmade goods and old-fashioned crafts, fostering community artisanship.
• Food Vendors: Diverse options offering traditional and festival foods.
• Pie Contest: A classic bake-off contest that adds fun and flavor to the event.
• Bingo & Raffle: Family entertainment and fundraising activities.
• Kids Area: Activities tailored for children to enjoy safely, making the festival family-friendly.
• Bike Ride: Another outdoor activity often included to engage fitness enthusiasts and families.

Rough Schedule Highlights

• Friday, August 30: Opening events start, live entertainment begins, parade at 11 a.m., truck pull at 5:30 p.m.
• Saturday, August 31: Continued entertainment, arts & crafts, food vendors, horse pull at 7 p.m.
• Monday, September 1 (Labor Day): 5k/10k races start at 8 a.m., additional community activities, closing events.

History and Founding

North Salem Old Fashion Days has been a cherished annual tradition for 50 years as of 2025, originating to celebrate and preserve the heritage and community spirit of this small Indiana town. Over the decades, it has grown into a significant regional draw, known for its large parade, family-focused events, and unique activities like the truck and horse pulls, all reflecting old-fashioned Americana values.

The festival is organized by local community volunteers and supported by many sponsors and vendor participants. It intentionally blends entertainment, local culture, and community support, with proceeds often benefiting local projects, food pantries, schools, and the volunteer fire department.

Practical Details

• Location: Downtown North Salem (Pearl Street & State Road 75) and Machinery Field
• Contact: Phone (317) 370-0585; Website northsalemoldfashiondays.com; Facebook page active for updates
• Accessibility: The festival is handicapped accessible
• Cost: Free entry for the festival; race registration fees apply for run events

This combination of nostalgic charm, broad activity variety, and strong community involvement makes North Salem Old Fashion Days a distinctive and memorable Labor Day weekend celebration.