PARKE COUNTY GUIDE - Parke County COVERED BRIDGE FESTIVAL - VISITORS GUIDE - Rockville Indiana

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Parke County Covered Bridge Festival

October 8-17, 2021

Festival Headquarters on the Rockville Square: The foundation of the festival, the Rockville Square is where the Covered Bridge Festival began in 1957. Rockville hosts vendors of homemade/handmade items, primities, and antiques. Local non profits serve a variety of foods each day in their food shacks around the South side of the courthouse lawn. Two information booths on the square offer free covered bridge maps, directions and helpful information to plan your visit in Parke County. Find additional shopping around Rockville at antique stores, boutiques, and the local art gallery. The Historic Ritz theater offers several theatrical presentations during the festival.

Welcome to Central Parke County

Ready for a leisurely getaway? We invite you to come and spend some time in Central Parke County. You can tour covered bridges, stroll around quaint town squares, visit an art gallery, wonderful meals, delicious wines and inviting inns.

2020 Featured Artist: Lynne Dunnavant

I was born and raised in Rockville, Indiana and was always very interested in art and enjoyed it in school. I went to work full time after graduation and started a family which didn’t leave much time for painting.

I’m self-taught and started painting full time when I retired in 2018. I paint with oil and watercolor. I love the rural landscapes, old barns and bridges, and anything unusual or old and antique looking. I love flowers too! I sell my original paintings and prints on my website and also exhibit them in central Indiana and Illinois art galleries. Note cards of my work are for sale at the gallery in Rockville or on my Facebook page.

Covered Bridge Campground in Rockville

Brian Williams owns and operates the Covered Bridge Campground. He has 73 sites, a shower house and public restroom. Come join us for some fun during the festival or just for a family friendly weekend!

You can view our pictures on Facebook or at www.coveredbridgecampground.com

Wheel House Donuts - Roll On In

Welcome to the Wheel House, home of custommade cake donuts! You pick the icing and the toppings, and we custom-make the donut just the way you want it.

Located in the heart of Covered Bridge country, what was once a home is now a charmingly renovated coffee shop, family-owned and operated. Looking for something to satisfy your craving for a delicious pastry? At Wheel House, we take our donutmaking seriously. Fresh-made every morning, stop in to experience the culture of a big city coffeehouse with friendly, down-home hospitality.

Maple Fair Festival & Syrup Recepies

• Visit Maple Syrup Camps
• Tour our 31 Covered Bridges
• Dine on Sausage & Pancakes
• Browse through Unique Shops
• Stay in a local Inn, Motel or Bed & Breakfast

MAPLE FACTS

• A maple tree is usually at least 30 years old and 12 inches in diameter before it is tapped

• Each tap will yield an average of 10 gallons of sap per season; that yields about one quart of syrup

Amoré Pizza King in Rockville Indiana

Amoré Pizza King, Rockville’s oldest restaurant still in business, has been feeding Parke County residents and visitors delicious, special recipe Italian cuisine and pizza since 1972. You will find classic thin crust pizza prepared on cornmeal and baked in a slate oven with more toppings per square inch than other pizzas around. Or, enjoy a ciabotta bread and dipping oil, an order of breadsticks, strombolis and other sandwiches, salad, a fine selection of beer and fine wine and more, all while listening to the sounds of Frank and Dean!

Antiques On York in Rockville Indiana

You will find Antiques on York a great place to take some time off from hiking Turkey Run State Park trails, or fighting the crowds during Covered Bridge Festival time. You just might end up finding a few vintage or antique treasures to take home. This corner shop located behind the Thirty Six Saloon in downtown Rockville has a wide variety of small furniture, ceramics, jewelry, dish and glass ware, antiques, primitives, re-purposed items, signage, and much more all located in its one-level, 4500 square foot mall at 100 West York Street. Inventory changes constantly so you never know just what treasures you will find! Check them out on Facebook and on the Web.

Shannon’s Sugar Rush Custom Desserts

Located on the East side of the Square in Rockville you’ll find all sorts of goodies that will give you a sugar buzz‚ at Shannon’s Sugar Rush. Come on in for all your sweet needs‚a cold treat with Velvet Ice Cream in many different flavors, a cupcake, a draft root beer, a cup of coffee or all sorts of baked treats to eat there or to take home. You will find a variety of goodies for sale like cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, strudels, root beer floats, muffins, breakfast breads, pies, of course delicious ice cream, speciality coffees and much more! If you need something for a special occasion, Shannon’s Sugar Rush is here to help you, too. Her cakes are as delicious as they are beautiful!

Urban Farmchic, Distinctive Shopping

Located at 102 South Market Street in downtown Rockville, Urban Farmchic offers a distinctive shopping experience. The design talents of Rachel Engel, a licensed designer, are highlighted throughout the county meets urban style shop. The shop features an awe-inspiring collection of vintage, salvage, handmades, and boutique clothing.

Neva’s Antiques & Collectibles

If you are looking for something from the past, an unusual item of the modern day or an antique of unique style--the place to look is Neva’s Store on the north side of the square in Rockville. It’s the most complete compilation of eclectic wares around. From locally hand-crafted pottery, jewelry, clothing and needlework to handcrafted furniture in primitive, country and the fabulously popular shabby chic styles to antiques and collectibles and more, you will find the most distinct collection at Neva’s located at 120 W Ohio Street, on the north side of the square in Rockville.

Country Home Furniture & Crafts

There’s a new store in town that you won’t want to miss. Country Home Furniture & Crafts opened its doors in September just in time for the Covered Bridge Festival!

The Vintage Beehive in Rockville Indiana

After 27 years of being away from Rockville, native April Mason returned to open Rockville’s newest store, The Vintage Beehive which is located just across from The Ritz off the Southwest corner of the downtown Square. Wanting to sell honey, April had fallen in love with the idea of having her own store and so the The Vintage Beehive was born!

Vintage Relics Antiques, Rockville Square

Vintage Relics Antiques is a new store on the historic square in Rockville and right in the heart of Parke County—a perfect place for Annettra Newlin to open the store she has dreamed of for a long time.

Although the purchase of the store at 117 Jefferson Street was an “impulse” buy, it has ended up the perfect spot for her to display antique and vintage furniture, primitives, all sorts of home decor and maybe even some architectural salvage from time to time for her customers’ pleasure —inventory changes daily!

Chelsea’s General Store & Pickin’ Post

Owner of Chelsea’s General Store & Pickin’ Post, Chelsea Wyatt, is “itchin’ to do some pickin’ ”—Bluegrass music picking that is— at her new store on the square in downtown Rockville, Indiana at 113 South Jefferson Street.

Welcome to Central Parke County (MAP)

Ready for a leisurely getaway? We invite you to come and spend some time in Central Parke County. You can tour covered bridges, stroll around quaint town squares, visit an art gallery, wonderful meals, delicious wines and inviting inns.

2019 Featured Artist: Malcolm Moore

The Covered Bridge Art Association conducts a raffle of art from various member artists each year to help fund an art scholarship for graduating local high school art students in Parke County. This year they have chosen a remarkable piece of photography printed on canvas. The piece is of lilacs in a vase against a pleasing background. Patrons have marveled at how so painterly the piece appears. It is hard to believe it is a photograph!

Covered Bridge Campground in Rockville

Brian Williams owns and operates the Covered Bridge Campground. He has 73 sites, a shower house and public restroom. Come join us for some fun during the festival or just for a family friendly weekend!

You can view their pictures on Facebook or at www. coveredbridgecampground.com

2020 Parke County Maple Fair Festival

February 29 & March 1, 2020 • March 7 & 8, 2020

(County Wide)

Headquarters at the
Parke County 4-H Fairgrounds

• Visit Maple Syrup Camps

• Tour our 31 Covered Bridges

• Dine on Sausage & Pancakes

• Browse through Unique Shops

• Stay in a local Inn, Motel or Bed & Breakfast

Call 765-569-5226 For Maple Fair Festival Information

Old Jail Inn & Drunk Tank Winery

The Old Jail Inn Parke County started in 2009, with the purchase of an 1879 flat steel, riveted door and frame in the basement of the abandoned jail. The door leads to the original Drunk Tank. The jail was transformed by Debra Olson in four months. It was a labor of love once she conceived the idea. The old jail is a destination getaway, with nine private cells turned into suites and guest rooms.

Roll On Into Wheel House Donuts

Welcome to the Wheel House, home of custommade cake donuts! You pick the icing and the toppings, and we custom-make the donut just the way you want it.

Located in the heart of Covered Bridge country, what was once a home is now a charmingly renovated coffee shop, family-owned and operated.

Rockville's Oldest! Amoré Pizza King

Amoré Pizza King, Rockville’s oldest restaurant still in business, has been feeding Parke County residents and visitors delicious, special recipe Italian cuisine and pizza since 1972. You will find classic thin crust pizza prepared on cornmeal and baked in a slate oven with more toppings per square inch than other pizzas around.

Find Treasures at Antiques On York

You will find Antiques on York a great place to take some time off from hiking Turkey Run State Park trails, or fighting the crowds during Covered Bridge Festival time. You just might end up finding a few vintage or antique treasures to take home. This corner shop located behind the Thirty Six Saloon in downtown Rockville has a wide variety of small furniture, ceramics, jewelry, dish and glass ware, antiques, primitives, re-purposed items, signage, and much more all located in its one-level, 4500 square foot mall at 100 West York Street. Inventory changes constantly so you never know just what treasures you will find! Check them out on Facebook and on the web.

Food, Shopping & Music at Solomon’s Porch

Entertainment, shopping and savory food—all in one spot— it is now available right off the square in downtown Rockville. Solomon’s Porch, located in the former Lover’s Lane building, is now offering a cafe with sandwiches, locally sourced cookies from certified kitchens and drinks for the tired and hungry shopper. Many new items have been added to the store with more coming in daily. You will find a new ladies’ boutique, items made locally including jewelry, dish towels, art work, candles, and so much more!

Monarch Bed & Breakfast in Rockville

Owning a Bed and Breakfast had always been a dream of Janet Miller for as long as she can remember. Just months ago she brought that dream to her husband, Thomas who thought it was a great idea. While deciding on a name, 6 - 8 monarch butterflies fluttered around her on the deck of their home and thus the Monarch Bed and Breakfast was born!

Urban Farmchic in Downtown Rockville

Located at 102 South Market Street in downtown Rockville, Urban Farmchic offers a distinctive shopping experience. The design talents of Rachel Engel, a licensed designer, are highlighted throughout the county meets urban style shop. The shop features an awe-inspiring collection of vintage, salvage, handmades, and boutique clothing.

Neva’s Antiques & Collectibles in Rockville

If you are looking for something from the past, an unusual item of the modern day or an antique of unique style--the place to look is Neva’s Store on the north side of the square in Rockville. It’s the most complete compilation of eclectic wares around. From locally hand-crafted pottery, jewelry, clothing and needlework to handcrafted furniture in primitive, country and the fabulously popular shabby chic styles to antiques and collectibles and more, you will find the most distinct collection at Neva’s located at 120 W Ohio Street, on the north side of the square in Rockville.

Country Home Furniture & Crafts

There’s a new store in town that you won’t want to miss. Country Home Furniture & Crafts opened its doors in September just in time for the Covered Bridge Festival!

This Amish business, owned by Nathan and Mary Ditweiler, offers a wide selection of Amishmade, hand-crafted solid wood furniture, used furniture, crafts, soy candles and gifts.

Bubble Gum Bed & Breakfast in Rockville

Indulge in the Elegance and grace of this 1909 historic victorian bed and breakfast. It sits on the edge of downtown Rockville, in the heart of covered bridge country. In August of 2007 this bed and breakfast began with the rooms Hope, Faith and Love with fluffy queen beds, TV with free WIFI in every room and a large shared bath with all essentials provided.