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Good Friday & Easter in the Amish Community

The Christian Holidays are celebrated much the same way by the Amish and non-Amish.

Amish, Mennonite, and other Christian denominations all regard Good Friday and Easter as important days in their religious calendars. On Good Friday you’ll find that many government entities, banks, and offices are closed for the holiday, and Amish businesses will be closed as well. Amish who work outside of the Amish community may take Good […]

Good Friday & Easter in the Amish Community

Meet Sara Patrick!

Executive Director of the LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce

Sara Patrick is the Executive Director of the LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce. In that role, she’s proven a passionate and knowledgeable advocate for the organizations and people of LaGrange County. For more about Sara and the Chamber of Commerce, read on:   Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? A: I […]

Meet Sara Patrick!

A Barn Quilt How-To Guide

Driving the scenic country backroads of Northern Indiana, you’ll likely see Barn Quilts adorning historic barns, family homesteads, Amish farms, and public spaces. Similar in design to fabrics quilts, traditional Barn Quilts are constructed using wood, and painted with heirloom or newly designed quilt patterns chosen by the owner or artist. Barn Quilts are either geometric […]

A Barn Quilt How-To Guide
Farmstead Inn & Conference Center

Shipshewana Spring Break STAYCATION Fun!

For when you need a break from your Break...

Sure, our kids love the carefree days of Spring Break! And we love having them home and spending time with them! But Spring Break can start to feel a little bit LONG sometimes. And LOUD. But don’t worry, we can help! Whether your kids or young or older, whether the temps cooperate or not, we […]

Shipshewana Spring Break STAYCATION Fun!

Shipshewana is Your Quilting HQ

Most quilters have probably heard of Shipshewana, Indiana. Fabric creations are an art form here: knitting, macrame, hand-sewn clothing, weaving, and especially quilting. Amish Quilts are beloved as decor, and so well-made that they can be handed down as family heirlooms. It makes sense, then, that Shipshewana is also the best place to buy fabric […]

Shipshewana is Your Quilting HQ

Meet Tobi Oxenrider: New Executive Director of the Shipshewana Retail Merchant’s Association

If you haven’t met the SRMA’s (Shipshewana Retail Merchant’s Association) new Executive Director yet, she’s a friendly, spunky spitfire who is kind to everyone, has a super cute dog named Augie (see above) and loves the people of Shipshewana. Here’s Tobi in her own words:   Q: Can you tell us a little bit about […]

Meet Tobi Oxenrider: New Executive Director of the Shipshewana Retail Merchant’s Association

Pajama Sales Day 2024 Photo Gallery!

SHIPSHEWANA — Another Shipshewana tradition is quickly gaining traction and its become a yearly getaway for many from around the area. Pajama Day was held on Saturday (Feb. 3rd) throughout the town of Shipshewana. The day-long event features sales at many of Shipshewana’s locally-owned businesses. This year, over 30 storefronts participated in the pajamas only […]

Pajama Sales Day 2024 Photo Gallery!

2024 Ice Festival and Chili Cookoff Results

And the Winners Are: The weather this past Friday & Saturday was made for ice carving! Visitors were able to watch carvings of all sizes being created most of the day on Friday, by part-time professional ice carvers from all over the Midwest. Then they could head over to the the area behind Smokehouse Grills […]

2024 Ice Festival and Chili Cookoff Results

Gear Up for This Weekend’s Annual Ice Festival & Buy Your Official 2024 Shipshewana Ice Festival Pin!

This weekend is the Annual Ice Festival & Chili Cookoff! And NEW this year is the addition of a Friday evening Icy & Spicy Wing Competition! Plan to bundle up and get out of the house for some cool family fun! Here’s the official schedule:   Fri. January 19th 10am: Ice Carvers begin creating their […]

Gear Up for This Weekend’s Annual Ice Festival & Buy Your Official 2024 Shipshewana Ice Festival Pin!

Shipshewana CVB to Host #INindiana Selfie Sign Ice Sculpture!

The CVB will host an #InIndiana Ice Sculpture this year! The 17th Annual Shipshewana Ice Festival is this Friday and Saturday, (Jan. 19th & 20th) in and around the popular Downtown Shopping District in the wintry wonderland of Shipshewana, Indiana. We invite you to join us for both fun days! Get the most from your visit […]

Shipshewana CVB to Host #INindiana Selfie Sign Ice Sculpture!

Make & Takes Make Group Tours Fun & Educational!

Shipshewana, Indiana is a beloved destination for a variety of travelers due to the kinds of attractions, events, and experiences available. It’s a unique location in the U.S. because although the official population of Shipshewana is under a thousand, it is still the 3rd largest Amish population in the country, as most residents live in […]

Make & Takes Make Group Tours Fun & Educational!

Meet Barn Quilt Project Manager Karen Weiland

Karen Weiland is a local Artist and the Project Manager for the Expansion of the Barn Quilt Trail throughout LaGrange County in 2024. You can read more about the project here. We asked Karen for a quick interview so people can learn a little more about her, and she kindly agreed. Q: Can you tell […]

Meet Barn Quilt Project Manager Karen Weiland

Fun Winter Activities in Small-Town Shipshewana

In Shipshewana, there are places to shop, food to eat, and fun things to do all year round! The winter time is actually a perfect time to visit for a getaway, family time, downtown shopping, or a relaxing weekend with friends. Locals and frequent visitor’s are probably already getting ready for the annual Ice Festival […]

Fun Winter Activities in Small-Town Shipshewana

Expanding the Barn Quilt Trail for 2024

Local artist Karen Weiland is busy this winter season, working with the all the local farm and business owners who applied to host all new Barn Quilts in 2024. As both Project Manager and Artist, she collaborates with them to choose sizes, patterns, and colors to design a one-of-a-kind Barn Quilt for prominent display on […]

Expanding the Barn Quilt Trail for 2024

Dolls & Amish Culture

Amish individuals do not possess photos of themselves because it’s believed that they may encourage vanity, which runs counter to their  religious ideals of community and equality. The dolls played with by Amish children are faceless for the same reason. The lack of a face or any other distinguishing characteristics also make the dolls “less […]

Dolls & Amish Culture

What is Epiphany? Understanding Amish Christmas.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is here again, and in the United States, Dec. 25th is both the federal and traditional date of Christmas. Whether religious or secular, the majority of the population are so accustomed to this that calendars and businesses closings are planned around the date. Outside of the single […]

What is Epiphany? Understanding Amish Christmas.

Gingerbread House Contest

For almost 20 years, the annual Gingerbread House Competition has been a holiday tradition at Davis Mercantile in Shipshewana, IN. They have two age groups, 16+ and 15 & Under, so everyone can participate! The contest typically receives up to 15 entries, which can make it hard to choose winners. This year’s winners are truly […]

Gingerbread House Contest

Shawna Rae Shares Her Oatmeal Cake Recipe

Oatmeal Cake has been around for a very long time, and it sometimes referred to as a heritage recipe. It became a regular household staple after Quaker Oats started printing a version of it on their Old Fashioned Oats and Quick Oats containers in 1950, calling it the Lazy Daisy cake, because it was so […]

Shawna Rae Shares Her Oatmeal Cake Recipe

Find the Perfect Nativity Scene in Shipshewana

Nativity Scenes are a lovely and decorative reminder of the reason for the season this time of year, and being that Shipshewana is a special place that appreciates both faith and craftsmanship, it is the best place to find the perfect Nativity Scene for you and your home. There are more options than are possible […]

Find the Perfect Nativity Scene in Shipshewana

Happy Salt is a Shipshewana Tradition

Happy Salt has been around since since 1985, a Shipshewana staple for almost 40 years! Kevin Horn is the owner of Shipshewana Spice Company, and Happy Salt was created by his parents. Kevin’s father worked as a professional in the food industry for many years, and created the Happy Salt blend using pepper, onion, garlic, […]

Happy Salt is a Shipshewana Tradition

Shipshewana Visitor’s Center Information Specialist Lupe Troyer Wins State Hospitality Award

Longtime local resident Lupe Troyer was honored in Indianapolis on October 30th with a 2023 Hoosier Hospitality Award.  

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and members of the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) presented 15 Hoosier Hospitality awards during a ceremony at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis on October 30th, for their high level of service in tourism-related jobs at hotels, restaurants, attractions and other destinations. “Hoosier hospitality is at the core of this ceremony,” […]

Shipshewana Visitor’s Center Information Specialist Lupe Troyer Wins State Hospitality Award

The Lighting of Shipshewana & Light Parade

Sat. Nov. 11th, kick-off your holiday season with us!

DAYTIME EVENT STARTS 10:00 am & food trucks start opening at 11 am. Tips for enjoying the day’s events: Use the map to find all the available parking options. If you can, park further away and walk to the center of town to avoid traffic. Don’t worry about meals! Food trucks will be open from […]

The Lighting of Shipshewana & Light Parade
winter scene neighborhood night

Shipshewana is Magical at Christmas

Plan your holiday visit today!

Shipshewana is magical at Christmas… The entire small town of Shipshewana is lit up with beautiful Christmas lights during the holidays and looks like something straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie! The Christmas celebrations here truly showcase the towns small-town charm and kind-hearted people, as well as its bright and sparkling Yuletide joy. We’d […]

Shipshewana is Magical at Christmas

Ice Festival Pin Design Winner Chosen

Westview 8th Grader Payton Hargrove has a winning design

Every year the Intro to 2D Art class taught by Jesse Martin at Westview High School is invited to submit designs for that year’s Ice Festival Pin. The students begin designing in early October and 26 designs were submitted in total. The Ice Festival Committee chose the design of Peyton Hargrove, an 8th grader from […]

Ice Festival Pin Design Winner Chosen
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