Parke County Covered Bridge Festival – Tangier

The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival in Tangier is a 10-day community and family-oriented event held October 10-19, 2025, at the Tangier Community Building in Parke County, Indiana. It is part of Indiana’s largest festival that celebrates 31 historic covered bridges across Parke County and the beauty of fall. Tangier is notable for serving the festival’s World Famous buried beef daily, a local culinary specialty, alongside homemade pies, cakes, baked beans, slaw, and more offered at the Community Center. The town is home to the Jackson Covered Bridge, a 207-foot historic structure included on both the Blue and Yellow Covered Bridge Routes, with five additional covered bridges nearby to explore.

The vibe of the Tangier event is cozy, friendly, and traditional, offering visitors a chance to enjoy authentic local food, crafts, and the scenic beauty of covered bridges amidst fall foliage. The Community Center provides indoor dining and a craft area featuring hand-knitted items, homemade candies, and handcrafted brooms, making it a welcoming hub for families and craft lovers. Ample free parking is available to facilitate visitor access.

Activities at the Tangier location include:

• Sampling the World Famous buried beef and other homemade foods like pies, cakes, baked beans, and slaw.
• Shopping for local handmade crafts including knitted goods, candies, and brooms.
• Exploring nearby covered bridges, with a highlight on the Jackson Covered Bridge.
• Enjoying fall scenery and participating in the larger festival’s activities on the Blue and Yellow Covered Bridge Routes.

A rough daily schedule generally revolves around open hours at the Community Building where food and crafts are available, opportunities for bridge tours, and informal social and family activities, typical for a community festival running throughout the day for 10 days.

Historically, the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival was founded to celebrate and preserve the county’s unique collection of covered bridges, while promoting local heritage, crafts, and cuisine. It takes place every year starting the second Friday of October, leveraging Parke County’s natural fall beauty and historic character to attract tens of thousands of visitors.

Tangier’s festival location stands out for its warm hospitality and signature buried beef dish, making it a memorable part of the larger Parke County Covered Bridge Festival experience.