Parke County Covered Bridge Festival – Montezuma

The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival in Montezuma, Indiana, is a 10-day event from October 10-19, 2025, celebrating the county's 31 historic covered bridges. The festival offers a blend of arts and crafts, traditional foods, and tours highlighting local heritage, all set amid beautiful fall foliage.

The event takes place in multiple communities across Parke County, each known for unique specialties, with downtown Montezuma featuring activities like tours of the Wabash and Erie Canal, famous roast hog, crullers, iron pot ham and beans, antiques, homemade crafts and demonstrations. Free parking and camping facilities are available, and the event is handicapped accessible. The festival does not require tickets.

The festival atmosphere is family-friendly and community-oriented, emphasizing historic preservation and local arts. The vibe is festive with a focus on authentic crafts, traditional Midwestern foods, and outdoor exploration among scenic bridges and fall scenery.

Typical activities include:

• Guided and self-guided tours of 31 covered bridges throughout the county.
• Wabash and Erie Canal tours in Montezuma.
• Food specialties such as roast hog, crullers, and iron pot ham and beans.
• Demonstrations of craft techniques.
• Antiques and homemade crafts vendors.
• Camping and outdoor recreational opportunities.
• Vendor booths with arts, crafts, and local goods.
• Community events in nine festival towns spread across the county.
• The headquarters at Rockville courthouse lawn hosts artisans, food vendors, and entertainment daily from 9am to 6pm.

A rough schedule includes daily open vendor markets and crafts from morning to early evening in each community, with special events like canal tours and food tastings anchored in Montezuma and other towns. Specific demonstration times and specialty events vary by location and day.

Founded in 1957, this is Indiana’s largest festival, traditionally starting on the second Friday in October. It aims to highlight the county’s historic covered bridges and attract visitors for autumn tourism, combining cultural heritage with outdoor activities and a festive environment.

For more information or event updates, the festival is hosted at www.coveredbridges.com and local contacts can be reached through the Parke County information center.