ROCKVILLE — Ignore the cloudy skies and the rainy forecasts, say organizers of the 53rd annual Parke County Covered Bridge Festival.
The 10-day countywide event will still offer plenty of activities and events starting today and running through Oct. 18.
More than 1 million people are expected to visit the festival during its 10-day run, said Cathy Harkrider, executive director of Parke County Inc.
While the stars of the annual festival are the county’s 31 covered bridges, numerous communities also have other attractions for visitors.
The Melcher Bridge is this year’s featured wooden structure. Images of the bridge are featured on hoodie sweatshirts, collector pins, holiday ornaments, magnets and — new this year — collector thimbles.
Another commemorative item is the Narrows Bridge afghan, which is really a 48-by-60-inch tapestry that can be used as a wall hanging, as a lap warmer or as a decorative throw over a chair or couch. The tapestry sells for $49.99, Harkrider said, and the printing technique makes the bridge look three-dimensional.
New this year are Covered Bridge Old Fashioned Kettle Style Potato Chips in the flavors of sea salt and barbecue. The chips come in sealed bags inside of a keepsake burlap bag printed with the Covered Bridge emblem. The cost is $5 per bag, and Harkrider said the burlap bag is the perfect size to bring to the annual mushroom hunt in the spring.
Another new food addition is sweet potato chips, flavored with brown sugar and cinnamon. Lots of heated food to keep visitors warm also is on the menu at the many vendor sites around the county.
Festival headquarters is the courthouse lawn in Rockville along U.S. 36.
A large tent and streets around the courthouse square will be filled with even more crafters and vendors than in previous years. The Jefferson Tent will house additional vendors this year. Vendors will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Entertainment is planned throughout the festival on the courthouse square. On Wednesday, an 11 a.m. military ceremony will honor all veterans. Guest speaker will be Sgt. First Class John B. Adams, with a performance by Singing Auctioneer Dane Bailey.
To help ease traffic congestion for those trying to get to the historic sites around the county, bus tours leave the Rockville square daily. There are three tours that visit different sites. The cost is $10 for adults, and $7 for children age 12 and younger. Little lap riders are free.
The Red route tours the southern part of the county with stops in Bridgeton and Rosedale. Yellow goes north through Bloomingdale and Tangier. The Brown route goes west to Montezuma and Mecca. Each tour visits five to six covered bridges.
Other sites around the county include:
• Billie Creek Village, with 30 historical buildings and three covered bridges. Admission is $7. A shuttle from the courthouse square runs daily.
• Bridgeton has a gristmill, the 1878 House, Case Log Cabin, and a variety of crafters and vendors.
• Mansfield boasts the historic Mansfield Roller Mill, Mansfield Bridge, village and hundreds of vendors and crafters.
• Montezuma has daily events and a hog roast and bean dinner, as well as an antique tractor and engine show on Saturday.
• Mecca offers a tent with handmade and homemade items, alongside the Mecca Bridge and One Room Schoolhouse.
• Rosedale has the Florida Civic Center with a variety of vendors.
• Tangier is known for the “buried beef” delicacy that has become famous during the festival.
• Bloomingdale is a Quaker community which prepares homemade apple butter at the Friends Church.
More information about the festival, including schedules, covered bridge routes, and lodging listings, is available online at www.parkecounty.com and www.coveredbridges.com.
Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.
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