2025 Festival Season
2nd weekend in September | Downtown Ossian
Ossian Days returns as a beloved street festival that brings neighbors and visitors together through three days brimming with food, fun, and friendly competition.
On Thursday browse vendor booths starting at 3 p.m., then pause to watch a mesmerizing chainsaw carving demonstration—where each whittled detail becomes a piece of art to be auctioned off later that evening. A hearty smoked pork chop dinner served under the event tent fuels festival-goers before the evening highlights: the beloved Helen Witte Pie Auction and the recognition of Ossian’s Business of the Year and the Lance Hunter Humanitarian Award.
Friday evening ushers in the classic carnival feel as the midway comes alive with colorful rides, games, and laughter courtesy of Beer & Jessop Amusements. Families gather for the Norwell Show Choir’s whole-hog sausage dinner while children delight in free face painting nearby. The annual Prince & Princess Contest brings charm and smiles to the stage. Entertainment continues into the evening with clogging performances and karaoke, filling the air with music and dance.
Saturday is the heart of Ossian Days, offering a sunrise-to-sunset celebration. The day begins at Archbold-Wilson Park Pond with a youth fishing tournament, while the smell of pancakes and sausage drifts from the Knights of Columbus breakfast. By mid-morning, little ones line up for the Big Wheel Race, cheering parents lining the course. As the afternoon rolls in, the midway reopens, complete with quirky contests like donut hole eating and Bessie’s Movement—a playful raffle with a big-cash prize twist. The highlight of the festival comes at 5 p.m. when the much-anticipated Ossian Days Parade marches through downtown, brimming with floats, music, and community pride. Families then linger downtown into the evening with balloon animals, face painting, and live music from the Austin City Band, closing out the festival with dancing, laughter, and memories that carry well beyond the weekend.
*keep in mind: no pets on the midway (only service animals permitted)
Festival hours are:
Thursday: 3pm to 9pm
Friday: 4pm to 10pm
Saturday: Events begin at 7am, Closes at 10pm
Bluffton Free Street Fair
Third full week of September (Tuesday - Saturday) | Downtown Bluffton
Every fall, the streets of downtown Bluffton come alive with the sights, sounds, and flavors of one of Indiana’s most cherished traditions—the Bluffton Free Street Fair. First held in 1898 as the Bluffton Street Fair and Wells County Agricultural Exposition, the event has grown into the oldest and largest free street fair in the state, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year. For over a century, the fair has remained a highlight of the community calendar, only missing a handful of years during the Great Depression and wartime.
The fair takes place during the third full week of September, running Tuesday through Saturday, and transforms Johnson Street and the downtown square into a vibrant festival. Each day brings something new—from bustling parades and family contests to live entertainment and carnival rides. Highlights include the Opening Parade, the Antique and Classic Car Parade, the High School Band Parade, and the Industrial Parade, each showcasing the creativity, pride, and energy of the region. On the Ruoff Main Stage, visitors can enjoy regional musicians, community performances, and the much-anticipated Bluffton Street Fair Idol, which wraps up the week with lively competition.
Families will find plenty of activities designed for all ages. Children love the Diaper Derby, youth tractor pull, and fire department demonstration, while adults can browse local exhibits and shop vendor booths. With fair hours stretching into the evening, it’s easy to spend an entire day soaking in the atmosphere.
And of course, no trip to the Bluffton Free Street Fair is complete without indulging in the food. Dozens of vendors and community groups line the streets with everything from caramel apples, pretzels, Mettler’s Fish, . Each bite reflects the small-town flavor and neighborly spirit that makes the fair unique.
More than just an event, the Bluffton Free Street Fair is a celebration of heritage, community, and hometown pride. It’s a tradition that continues to grow, bringing people together year after year in the heart of Bluffton.
Fair hours run roughly 11 AM to 11 PM, Tuesday through Saturday
*Plan for crowds on the weekends- if you prefer a slower pace come earlier in the week or during lunchtime
*Come early for parades and your favorite events
*Bring Cash for closest parking usually $5-10 per day and smaller vendors who don’t accept card
*No Pets permitted on the midway
