About This Festival

The Tipton County Pork Festival is a well-established event held annually in Historic Downtown Tipton, Indiana, known for its signature 1-inch pork chops, a wide variety of food vendors, a beer garden, a large carnival, free concerts, arts and crafts vendors, and two parades. It is a family-friendly, handicapped-accessible festival with easy park-and-ride shuttle services, celebrating local food and community spirit over three days, from September 4 to 6 in 2025.

Event Atmosphere and Location:
The festival takes place in the historic downtown area of Tipton, providing a quaint small-town vibe with a lively carnival atmosphere. The environment combines food, entertainment, crafts, and community pride, making it a vibrant, festive setting that attracts local residents and visitors from the surrounding region.

History and Founding:
The Tipton County Pork Festival has over 50 years of history, making it one of Indiana’s original and long-standing food festivals. This deep-rooted tradition reflects the community's agricultural heritage and specifically honors pork, which is a significant local product.

Festival Activities and Schedule:

  • Food: The festival is famous for its 1-inch pork chops cooked on site, alongside many other food vendors offering a variety of local and regional cuisine.

  • Entertainment:

    • Friday Night Line-Up (September 5):
      • 6:00 PM: Sam Quigley
      • 7:00 PM: The Mulligans
      • 9:00 PM: John King concert
    • Saturday Night Line-Up (September 6):
      • 6:00 PM: Jeremy & Kerry
      • 7:00 PM: The Time Travelers
      • 9:00 PM: JUMP America's Van Halen Experience (a tribute band)

  • Carnival: A large carnival run by Huesman Amusement Company featuring rides and games for all ages.

  • Parades: There are two parades:

    • Opening Parade on Thursday at 5:30 PM, which officially kicks off the festival.
    • Grand Parade on Saturday at 2:00 PM, a major highlight featuring floats, community groups, and entertainment.

  • Arts and Crafts: Various vendors set up booths offering handmade crafts and local artworks.

  • Beer Garden: Available for adult attendees, providing a relaxed environment to enjoy beverages.

Accessibility: The event is handicapped accessible and provides convenient park-and-ride shuttle services to ease transportation and parking challenges.

Contact and Location:

  • Address: Historic Downtown Tipton, Indiana, primarily near 618 Dearborn Street.
  • Contact Phone: (317) 695-5724
  • Website: tiptoncountyporkfestival.com

This festival serves as a community hallmark event, combining food, music, arts, and tradition, reflective of Tipton County’s agricultural roots and vibrant local culture.