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 Southern Parke County

Welcome to Southern Parke County, the home of fun and festivals! — there’s one for every season from Mushroom time to Christmastime. Come see this region decked out in the delicate blooms of redbud and dogwood in the spring, the vivid greens of summer, the vibrant hues the fall brings or in the soft, pristine snow cover of winter. Southern Parke County is also home to two working grain mills, lots of good fishing places, winding country roads, more of those beautiful bridges, quaint inns, shops galore and savory fare. We know you’ll be enchanted with all the local splendor of this region!

Bridgeton Country Christmas

By Celia Case

Bridgeton will be hosting its annual Country Christmas celebration starting Black Friday! Join us for two big weekends: Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 4-6, 2020. Hours are Fridays & Saturdays 10 a.m.– 6 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. 

Shops will be open and full of gifts. The 1878 Barn, Collom’s General Store and the Artisans Barn at the Mill will be open with vendors. Some Covered Bridge Festival vendors will be present and there will be new ones as well!

The Bridgeton Mill - Family Owned

By Mike Rowe

Two thousand lb. massive stones that are over 200 years old gently grind wheat into flour and corn into meal at Indiana’s oldest continuing operating grist mill. The Bridgeton Mill is set with the backdrop of a National Historic District and next door to one of Parke County’s famous Covered Bridges. Twenty-seven other buildings, along with the Mill, make up the quaint town of Bridgeton, Indiana.

The Red Raccoon Lifestyle Boutique

The Red Raccoon is a unique, one of a kind retail store with TWO brick & mortar locations, plus a mobile boutique! Our main location is located on US HWY 36, just east of Raccoon Lake SRA, with our second location, Rubies, being located on the North side of the courthouse square in Rockville. Our mobile boutique, is just that, mobile! Call one of the brick and mortars to find where the mobile boutique will be at next! The three locations offer an overall combined 6,000 square feet of boutique clothing, accessories, home décor, and even a little bit of gardening for you. Mike and Jamie Baird, along with their children Jennafer, Jessica, & Billy opened The Red Raccoon on April 1, 2014 with the other two locations to follow in 2016 and 2018.

Raccoon Lakeside Lodge Open Year Round

Need a fishing get-away? A vacation? A peaceful hideaway? You’ll find Raccoon Lakeside Lodge in Parke County a relaxing place with lakeside furnished apartments and suites, a fishing dock, water-skiing, hiking, Jacuzzis, swimming, beaching, grilling, porch swinging and more! 

Just imagine sitting outside and enjoying the patio, grilling a meal or having a picnic on the deck. Relax in a porch swing and enjoy the lakeside view. All the lodges’ housing units are situated within close proximity to a 20 X 40 outdoor pool or enjoy the 200 ft. sea wall deck at the lake front where you’ll find a very popular fishing pier. Ten floating docks are available as well as rental deck pontoon boats.

Grandmas Lakeside Cafe East of Rockville

Grandmas Lakeside Café is located just east of Rockville, at the corner of Walker Ramp road and 10585 E US HWY 36 at Walker Ramp Road. Look for their Red Wagon on top of the hill! You will want to visit this peaceful Café for great home cooked meals with a full menu. You will find daily lunch and dinner specials and you can dine-in or call ahead for carry-out. Grandmas Lakeside Café also serves pizza and hot, toasted sandwiches.

Midwest Window Co. Rockville Indiana

Along the Parke County byways and highways you will find numerous wonderful Amish businesses. One of those is Midwest Windows located right off of Highway 36 just west of the SR 59 and SR 36 Junction. Dave Kanagy, owner of Midwest Windows, has been in business for 20 years, after first locating and establishing his business in Ferndale, Indiana. He then moved to the huge location right off of Highway 36.

Hills & Bridges - Cycling Parke County

There’s no better way to enjoy the scenic beauty of Parke County than from the seat of your own bicycle. Rolling hills, rippling streams and our famous Covered Bridges make this the ideal place to explore on a bicycle. The 1883 Railroad Depot and Tourist Center, (three blocks east of the Rockville Square on Highway 36) is the perfect place to begin your tour. Bicycling is great almost any time of the year in Parke County. Invite your friends and family to join you on a scenic comfortable ride to see our scenery and bridges.

Ditzler Orchard at Cherrywood Farm

Ditzler Orchard has been family owned and operated since 1970.
Here you can pick your own stawberries, cherries, blueberries and apples in season. Rather not pick them yourself? Then come shop our market! We’re open daily May through December, so stop in to see us!

Ski’s Truck & RV Sales

Love camping? We do too! Visit Ski’s Truck & RV Sales at our new location, just west of Raccoon Lake. Our RV Center and Outdoor Showroom is located at 9272 E. U.S. Highway 36, Rockville, IN 47872.

Fisher’s Discount, Bellmore Country Store

The Fisher family has operated a successful dairy farm in northeast Parke County since 1977. In 2011, Joseph and Salome Fisher opened a small discount grocery store in their garage, three miles west of Lake Waveland. 

The local demand was so strong for discount groceries that they opened a new, larger store on a separate drive from the dairy barn. This new store featured an eight door cooler and four door freezer. The store became so popular that it was again expanded in 2018 with much more shelf space, a twelve door cooler, eight door freezer and an additional walk-in cooler.

Since 1819, Historic Mansfield Roller Mill

Since 1819, the Mansfield Roller Mill has graced the banks of Big Raccoon Creek in the village that would become Mansfield, Indiana. The Mill was built of logs and used glacial stones quarried nearby to grind corn and wheat.

Mansfield Village Bar & Grill

Mansfield Village Bar & Grill is a popular tourist destination and was awarded 2019 Parke County Business of the Year. Known for their famous pork tenderloin and Philippine foods, the Bar & Grill is open every weekend, year around. Charming Mansfield Village creates the perfect setting for a relaxed atmosphere while taking in the Creekside views and historic landmarks.

Welcome to Southern Parke County (MAP)

Welcome to Southern Parke County, the home of fun and festivals! — there’s one for every season from Mushroom time to Christmastime. Come see this region decked out in the delicate blooms of redbud and dogwood in the spring, the vivid greens of summer, the vibrant hues the fall brings or in the soft, pristine snow cover of winter.

Historic Bridgeton 1878 House & Barn

A Country Love Affair

By Celia Case

There’s nothing more romantic than a wedding. It’s the perfect time of your life to express yourselves, personally and as a new couple, while welcoming family and friends to the ultimate celebration! Make your wedding unforgettable with the rustic elegance and lasting impression of a beautiful barn wedding in a country setting at the Bridgeton 1878 Barn.

Family’s Battle to Save a Historic Treasure

“14 Miracles - A Family’s Battle to 
Save a Historic Treasure”

You have heard the phrase “If only these walls could talk?” Well, with a slight twist, a new book titled “14 Miracles - A Family’s Battle to Save a Historic Treasure” could answer that very question about the old Bridgeton Mill.

“14 Miracles - A Family’s Battle to Save a Historic Treasure” tells the story of Mike and Karen Jean who purchased an old rundown building that stood in the creek with a covered bridge next to it. Under the bridge was the decayed ruins of an old dam. Mike realized this had been a mill dam and it created water power for the building. It was an historic treasure!

Ski’s Truck & RV Sales at Rockville

Visit Ski’s Truck & RV Sales at our new location, just west of Raccoon Lake, at 9272 E. U.S. Highway 36, Rockville, IN 47872. We have a wide selection of pre-owned vehicles for sale, including 4x4 trucks, SUVs, vans and cars, in just about every price range.

The Red Raccoon, A Unique Retail Store

The Red Raccoon is a unique, one of a kind retail store with TWO brick & mortar locations, plus a mobile boutique! Our main location is located on US HWY 36, just east of Raccoon Lake SRA, with our second location, Rubies, being located on the North side of the courthouse square in Rockville. Our mobile boutique, is just that, mobile!

Ditzler Orchard at Cherrywood Farm

Ditzler Orchard has been family owned and operated since 1970. Here you can pick your own strawberries, cherries, blueberries and apples in season. Rather not pick them yourself? Then come shop our market! We’re open daily May through December, so stop in to see us!

Visit The Historic Mansfield Roller Mill

Since 1819, the Mansfield Roller Mill has graced the banks of Big Raccoon Creek in the village that would become Mansfield, Indiana. The Mill was built of logs and used glacial stones quarried nearby to grind corn and wheat.

Be sure to visit the historic Mansfield Roller Mill in Mansfield Village during the Covered Bridge Festival in October.

New Look at Fox’s Overlook in Mansfield

Fox’s Overlook has a new look and a new owner. Stop by and check out the Mansfield Village Bar & Grill where you can grab a beer and rest while others are enjoying the festival. On the second floor you will still find the homemade fudge ready for those with a sweet tooth and you’ll find lots of shopping from various vendors. The Covered Bridge Welcome Center with information and maps is also located on the second floor.

Fisher’s Discount, Bellmore Country Store

The Fisher family has operated a successful dairy farm in northeast Parke County since 1997. In 2011, Joseph and Salome Fisher opened a small discount grocery store in their garage, three miles west of Lake Waveland.

The local demand was so strong for discount groceries that they opened a new, larger store on a separate drive from the dairy barn. This new store featured an eight door cooler and four door freezer. The store became so popular that it was again expanded in 2018 with much more shelf space, a twelve door cooler, eight door freezer and an additional walk-in cooler.

Hills & Bridges - Cycling Parke County

Photo: Wes Kendall

There’s no better way to enjoy the scenic beauty of Parke County than from the seat of your own bicycle. Rolling hills, rippling streams and our famous Covered Bridges make this the ideal place to explore on a bicycle.

The 1883 Railroad Depot and Tourist Center, (three blocks east of the Rockville Square on Highway 36) is the perfect place to begin your tour.

Grandmas Lakeside Café - Open All Year

Grandma’s Lakeside Café is new to the area, located at the corner of Walker Ramp road and 10585 E US HWY 36. Look for their Red Wagon on top of the hill! You will want to visit this peaceful Cafe for great home cooked meals with a full menu. You will find daily lunch and dinner specials and you can dine in or call ahead for carry out. Grandma’s Lakeside Cafe also serves pizza and hot, toasted sandwiches.

Quality and Versatility at Midwest Window

Along the Parke County byways and highways you will find numerous wonderful Amish businesses. One of those is Midwest Windows located right off of Highway 36 just west of the SR 59 and SR 36 Junction. Dave Kanagy, owner of Midwest Windows, has been in business for 20 years, after first locating and establishing his business in Ferndale, Indiana. He then moved to the huge location right off of Highway 36.

Tiki Hut - More Than A Convenience Store

You will find the Tiki Hut in Southern Parke County to be much more than just a convenience store! Located next to Raccoon Lake, this family owned store is loaded with camping and boating equipment galore. You won’t want to miss out on all their T-Shirts, many with a local flare to them. Or, have your own design screenprinted! Don’t lose track of your tribe at the Covered Bridge Festival with matching T-shirts, or show your sports or school favorites! They also have many sweatshirts and koozies from which to choose.

14th Annual Miami Indian Gathering

The 14th Annual Miami Indian Gathering (powwow) will be held June 6th & 7th, 2020.

The Gathering is located at 11515 East U.S. 36, Parke County, Indiana, just three miles east of Raccoon Lake. Known for its naturally beautiful pastoral landscapes, lakes, and rivers; Parke County is the ideal location to celebrate our place in the natural world.

Raccoon Lakeside Lodge - Open All Year!

Need a fishing get-away? A vacation? A peaceful hideaway? You’ll find Raccoon Lakeside Lodge in Parke County a relaxing place with lakeside furnished apartments and suites, a fishing dock, water-skiing, hiking, Jacuzzis, swimming, beaching, grilling, porch swinging and more!

Raccoon State Recreation Area

Providing access to wildlife and a fun environment for the whole family, Raccoon Lake Recreation Area offers opportunities to find the perfect fishing spot, go boating, ski and swim. While hiking the five scenic trails, you’ll experience a wide assortment of habitats including mature hardwood forests, open meadows, a beautiful shoreline and many small ponds.