12 Festivals in Indiana that Food Lovers Should NOT Miss

There will be food galore at the 46th annual Maple Syrup Festival in Wakarusa. Get ready to sample some amazing, homemade maple syrup recipes poured over heaping all-you-can-eat mounds of pancakes and sausages made by the Wakarusa Lion’s Club. This event will feature events like live music, the crowning of the Festival Queen, a wild animal show, magic performance, fashion show, and much more. There will also be tons of additional foods, like BBQ, chili, pulled pork, hot dogs, and tons of dessert and snack options.

Italian food, lemonade tastings, local art, train rides, and a wine/cheese crawl? What could be better? Enjoy all of this and more at the Richmond Taste of Italy Festival this May. There will be specialty Italian foods, as well as traditional food from local restaurant owners. All while you enjoy the festivities, listen to live music, or browse antiques. Sounds like perfection!

Who can turn down a ton of fresh baked strawberry themed goods like shortcakes, pies, and more? I know I can’t. Head over to Rosedale this June for a variety of fresh strawberries and sweets, live music, additional food, contests, activities for kids, crafts, contests, and so much more!

Do you enjoy car shows, pony rides, yard sales that span entire towns, live music, games, and delicious food? Then you’re going to love the Monon Food Fest. There will be a ton of food vendors and there is also entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

If you love BBQ, you have to check out RibFest in Fort Wayne this year. There will be a 5k run, on stage performances, and an unbelievable amount of BBQ food. This event will happen rain or shine and has a large canopied terrace to keep you dry, just in case. Enjoy great food, good blues, and brews. Best of all students, seniors, military members, police officers, and fire workers all get in at reduced prices.

Taste of Tippecanoe is a major fundraising event for the Tippecanoe Arts Federation (TAF). You can expect some great local foods to choose from, awesome live music acts, fireworks, and a ton of other fun events. This event starts at 4pm and runs until midnight.

From 10am to 5pm on the weekend of June 25th, join your fellow Hoosiers to celebrate Native American culture with fantastic food (you have to try Indian tacos!), art exhibitions, music, dance, storytelling, and plenty more. There will be over 150 artists from over 60 different tribes present.

One exciting way to celebrate Independence Day is by hanging out at the Catfish Festival in Shoals. This event features an array of entertainment, from sporting events and contests to cooking competitions and parades. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the mounds of piping hot catfish.

Join the residents of Frankfort for adorable dachshund races, arts and crafts, a huge flea market, live entertainment, and hot dogs galore! There will also be a ton of vendors with a variety of different foods and drinks.

Pierogis, parades, and polka, oh my! This hugely popular festival has a Polish theme to it and draws nearly a quarter of a million visitors each here. The live entertainment and Eastern European costumes alone are worth the trip!

Help celebrate the 37th year of this annual festival honoring one of Indiana’s trademark snacks: popcorn. Named the "Best Festival of the Region," this event provides family friendly fun with hundreds of arts and crafts booths, tons of food vendors, games just for kids, a five mile long Popcorn Panic run, and a popcorn themed parade.