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Maple Syrup Festival/Cabin Fever Festival:
Got cabin fever? Come to Bridgeton for the cure.
The sap will be running in Parke County during Feb. and March.
MAPLE SYRUP CAMPS were numerous around Bridgeton in the early years but unfortunately none of them are currently in operation. However, there are 6 working camps in Parke County where you can see how maple syrup is made and find out how delicious it is. SHOPPING: Some Bridgeton shops are open for this event. TAKE A TOUR of the mill to see the grinding on the old buhrstones and to learn about the present and past operations of the historic old mill. It's a treat to visit the mill, covered bridge and dam and the National Register Historic District at this time of year. Avoid the crowds and traffic and take in the quiet beauty of this old mill town.
Mountain Man Rendezvous
PRE-1840 LIVING: Authentic mountain man encampment complete with trading posts, pioneer goods and live demonstrations. DEMONSTRATIONS may include blacksmithing, finger weaving, leather & bead work, open-fire cooking, muzzle loader shooting, tomahawk throwing, pioneer crafts (the children enjoy making a candle to take home) CANOE RACE on Big Raccoon Creek on SATURDAY. FRIENDSHIP CAMPFIRE on SATURDAY EVENING. You're invited. JONAH FISH FRY: All-you-can-eat fish served by the Bridgeton Volunteer Firemen on SATURDAY 2:00-7:00 p.m. SHOPPING: Some shops are open and some vendors are set up. The Mountain Men will also be selling their wares.
Antique Car & Tractor Show/Coon Tail Run
10:00 a.m. COVERED BRIDGE POKER RUN goes through covered bridges and around the tree in the middle of the road. Even if you don't enter the competition you will want to see the beautiful cars and interesting old tractors. They will be on display for your enjoyment.
2:00 p.m. CAKEWALK: You could win a delicious cake at the old fashioned cakewalk. COOKIE WALK for the kids.
2:30 p.m. DAM RUBBER DUCKIE RACE: Purchase as many ducks
as you want at $3.00 or 2 for $5.00 and they will join the other ducks in a race down Big Raccoon Creek under the bridge and over the dam. The first duck caught after they go over the dam wins half the pot. The other half goes to repair the Bridgeton dam. Not only can you have fun cheering your ducks to possible victory, but you will be helping to save the old Bridgeton dam which is badly in need of repair.
3.00 p.m. AWARDS: Various awards including custom-made wooden steering wheels for car and tractor owners.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: 812-877-9550
Any profit from the car show will be used to restore the Bridgeton mill which was built 1869-70. Many repairs have already been made but there is still much to be done.
Whether it's yard sales or garage sales look for lots of good buys on Bridgeton Yard Sale Day. The number of sales will vary each year depending on how many people get their spring cleaning done. Hours: 8:00-3:00.
Milling Days/Craft Demonstrations
The Bridgeton Mill takes center stage!Sept. 6 -- 8a.m. til 12/noon Pancake & Sausage Breakfast Fundraiser to help rebuild the Jeffries Ford Covered Bridge that was burnt April 2001. At the Bridgeton Mill $4 adults - $2 children under 12. AYCE pancakes. Handicap parking available. Sponsored by the Bridgeton Covered Bridge Assn., Inc.
Cornbread Cook off: Sample cornbread made with different kinds of cornmeal (all ground at the Bridgeton Mill)--red, white, blue, yellow, popcorn, roasted, etc.--and vote on your favorite.
Tours: Take an interesting and informative tour of the mill. The miller has a gift for gab!
Demonstrations: See the mill in operation and learn about its history and the history of milling in the U.S.A. Everything you ever wanted to know about milling.
Why Milling Days? Oliver Evans is the Father of the American Industrial Revolution. The historic Bridgeton MIll is one of the first to be patterned after his designs for automated factories. He invented several labor saving devices, coined the term conveyor, invented the elevator, plus much more. The Society for the Preservation of Old Mills (SPOOM) is trying to get a National Holiday on or near his birthday. The Bridgeton Mill is honoring his memory with Milling Days.
Craft Demonstrations: We're looking high and low for old-time craft people. Many of the old crafts are becoming a lost art. No promises on what we will have, but we're working on it.
Shopping: Some shops will be open for your shopping pleasure.
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| Riders can register and start either at Bridgeton or Greencastle This annual Bridgeton Bike Tour
features an old mill in operation, covered bridges, historic small
towns, scenic routes all on paved roads. 30 mile route - 5 covered bridges; 54 mile route - 7 covered bridges; 62 Mile route - several covered bridges, in conjunction with Putman County's back road bike tour. Registration is from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM at the Bridgeton Mill |
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| For Information: | Bridgeton (765) 548-0628 - (765) 548-2136 or Greencastle (765) 653-4834 | ||
Do you love the town of Bridgeton, its old mill, covered bridge, waterfall, and National Register Historic District? do you love its wonderful crafts, antiques, and food? hate the crowds and the traffic? Then why not beat them? Everything isn't open on the weekend before Covered Bridge Festival but more and more people are opening. Even if the open signs aren't up, these good folks just might let you browse their shop or booth or buy their food treats.
Covered Bridge Festival
One of the top festivals in the country.
SHOPPING: A shoppers' paradise! All shops open in Bridgeton plus many vendors.
CARRIAGE RIDES: in old fashioned horsedrawn carriages.
PARKING: plenty of parking in various locations around town.
BRIDGETON COVERED BRIDGE: one of 32 bridges in Parke County. Take a tour bus or drive yourself over the mapped covered bridge routes. Bridgeton is on the RED AND BLACK ROUTE. Rockville is the starting point for these tours.
BIG RACCOON CREEK IN AUTUMN BIKE TOUR
Proceeds go towards preservation of the Bridgeton milldam32 MILE RUN - 5 covered bridges
46 MILE RUN - 7 covered bridges
The Annual Big Raccoon Creek in Autumn Bike Tour features an old mill in operation, covered bridges, historic small towns, scenic routes, all on paved roads.
For Information: (765) 548-0628 - (765) 548-2136Registration is from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the Bridgeton Mill
E-MAIL: SandySzy@webtv.netSPONSORED BY
FRIENDS OF THE BRIDGETON
MILLDAM
REGISTRATION FORM
Christmas Shopping Days
DECORATIONS: covered bridge, shops and residences gaily decorated for Christmas. SHOPPING: Several shops open offering
all kinds of goodies and food. A traditional Christmas dinner is served daily. Shopping Hours:10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday & Saturday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday. SANTA CLAUS: Visit and have your photo taken with Santa at the Case Log Cabin near the 1878 House, Saturday & Sunday afternoon 1 - 3 p.m CANDLELIGHT WALK AND PERHAPS CAROLING: 6:00 p.m. Saturday. evening.
Year Around Special Occasions
The Bridgeton covered bridge is a great place for that special occasion. What more beautiful setting could you want for your wedding? Several couples have chosen to exchange their vows in this romantic setting.
Kim and Steve Branson
