A “Regional Economic Powerhouse” – The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival

ROCKVILLE, Indiana – Indiana’s largest festival again boosted the Accelerate West Central Indiana Economic Development region this fall, drawing an estimated 1.5 million visitors in a 10-day period in mid-October. Described as “a regional economic powerhouse,” the event showcases Parke County’s 31 covered bridges during peak fall foliage season.

This year the festival attracted major attention from Midwest Living magazine, characterizing the multi-day event as an “absolute must for small town charm and covered bridges.”

“The Covered Bridge Festival is definitely the economic equivalent of an ‘October Black Friday’ for Parke County and the region,” said Jim Meece, a Parke County Commissioner and long-time vendor for the festival.  Growing from a weekend event in 1957 to the present high-impact countywide festival, the Covered Bridge Festival has “become a destination place for the expanded region,” he continued, as hotels and venues fill up across the area.

The expansive celebration takes place in nine different festival locations in Parke County: Rockville, Billie Creek Village, Bloomingdale, Bridgeton, Mansfield, Mecca, Montezuma, Rosedale, and Tangier, each with its own specialty offerings.

While the Covered Bridge Festival headlines the season for Parke County, there’s more – much more throughout the year. “We are fortunate to have a very active Convention and Visitors Commission,” said Meece, noting that the Maple Syrup Fair in March has grown to the second largest event in the county, attracting its own fans. Both the Covered Bridge and the Maple Syrup festivals are organized and promoted by PCI (Parke County, Incorporated), an organization created by the Parke County Commissioners in the early 1960s. Neysa Sandusky currently serves as a PCI Executive Secretary.  The county is also home to Turkey Run State Park and Shades State Park, both popular locations.

For more information, including a packed list of “Things to Do” throughout the year, visit https://www.coveredbridges.com/