Am loving the fall weather, and today was mid 70's in southern Indiana. Hubby and I took Mom (who is visiting from Michigan) to Bridgefest today, which is a celebration of autumn in and around the covered bridges area (southern Indiana boasts several covered bridges in close proximity in one region), and vendors and people congregate to eat, drink, and buy lots of inexpensive stuff.
This festival is ten days long, today being the second day, and we went to the largest festival area. It was bumper to bumper traffic as we neared Raccoon Lake area and took about twenty minutes or so to go the last few miles and park. We parked across from the opening of the festival and it was $7. The good news is that everything is so CHEAPLY priced that the $7 is probably the most we spent on anything.
My favorite "bargains" were crystals for beading and deals on scarves. And picked up signs that say, "Premises protected by Chihuahua Safety Co" for the girls and "Japanese Chin" for us.
Most of the vendors are from the "Shipshewanna" fame, and many Amish were selling craft items and foods. We sampled the supposedly "homemade" fried pies, and although the marketing stated the filling was "homemade," it was obvious that the filling of the pies came from a can. Maybe the can states "homemade?" Not sure, but not enticed to buy a fry pie!
We did enjoy lunch, and Mom and I split some fried catfish with spicy sauce (sans the bun)and Scott enjoyed a Gyro, though he said it was okay but not as tasty as the ones at George's in Chesterton. We split some pumpkin ice cream and it was really good! Pumpkin is the taste of fall! Apples and cinnamon, too.
It was great being outside all day especially in the nice weather, and the leaves are on fire this week; fall color at its peak! Autumn leaves and carny food wafted in the fresh air, and we walked and walked through crowds of people, but so crowded that we didn't even make it through half the fest. I took some pictures and will post one soon. We passed three darling Amish kids with plain little brown outfits like pilgrims, wearing sporty little hats holding hands and running, all smiles. The Amish adults smiled too as we commented how darling their children were.
Amish sure enjoy festivals, we see them at every festival around here. They even closed up their store in Freedom to celebrate Apple Butter Fest a few weeks back. Party, party, and bake a pie; that's the Amish!
By the time we got to the bridge, there were so many people trying to cross that we just decided it was time to leave the festival. They say "three's a crowd," but try hundreds; scads of people with carts of goods, packed baby strollers (some even with babies!), and some people on rascals, too, phew! Just let me outa' there!
So, we went, we saw, we tasted pumpkin, bought some crafts and stuff, and left around 230pm. Next year we'll try going during the week.
