Events Near Trail

The Knobstone Hiking Trail crosses 5 counties. A selection of heritage events is listed below. Each county has a visitor center you can contact for more information:

SELECTED EVENTS:

Houston School Festival (http://houstonindianafallfestival.org/)

  • 2 miles east of KHT Mile 60 at the restored Houston school (ca 1910) at 9830 N. CR 750 W.
  • Great country food and local bands all day: bluegrass, country, & gospel.
  • Annual 2nd Saturday in October, 8am—6pm.
  • Events include: greased pig contest, crafts and “antique” booths, quilt raffle, antique tractors, horse & buggy rides.
  • Festival benefits the Houston School Restoration Committee, dedicated to the preservation of the school as a historical, educational, and community resource.
  • Contacts: Larry Anthony, 812/342-3561; Glenda Ryan, 919/802-1241.

Blue Grass at Norman Station Conservation Club

  • 2 miles east of the Pioneer Barn at KHT Mile 68.
  • 12157 W. CR 450 N. Directions: South on Norman Rd. from Norman Station on SR 58.
  • Organizer: Fred Norman 812/834-5184; info 812/988-4596.
  • Campsites are available on the club’s 3.5-acre lake. Call Ron Sage at (812) 869-0850 for a reservation, or camp at the barn.

Bluegrass Events:

  • Monthly Bluegrass Jamboree: 3rd weekend Sundays at 1pm.
  • Friday nights Bluegrass jam: 6pm, hot dogs & drinks for sale.
  • Spring Bluegrass Festival, with groups from surrounding states: May, 3rd Weekend Fri/Sat.
  • Fall Festival: September, 3rd Weekend Fri/Sat.

Seymour Oktoberfest (www.seymouroktoberfest.com/)

  • Way east (20 miles) of KHT Mile 60, at the bottom of the (provisional) KHT HNF miles.
  • Annual 1st weekend in October, Thursday-Sunday.
  • Great brats & beer represent the German heritage of early settlers in the region, plus excellent offerings from more recent immigrants to the area. The Festival takes over old Seymour streets, with over 70 booths. Strolling entertainers plus musicians and dancers on stage provide continuous entertainment at this huge festival.

Story Inn’s Indiana Wine Fair (http://www.indianawinefair.com/)

  • 5 miles east of KHT Mile 53 at bridge over Salt Creek at foot of Browning Hill.
  • Annual last Saturday in April, Saturday 12:30—7pm.  Tickets: $30 (designated driver $10).
  • Wine tastings from Indiana’s best vintners, fine food and music on outdoor covered stage; until 4pm, free 1 oz. wine samples. Rain or shine.
  • Free shuttles from nearby Nashville starting at noon every 15 minutes. Or camp near the bridge across Salt Creek and drive back about 5 miles to Story—or closer at Creamer Hollow, or the HNF Nebo bike trailhead.

Story Inn’s Hoosier Hops & Harvest Beer Fest (http://www.hoosierhopsandharvest.com/)

  • 5 miles east of KHT Mile 53 at bridge over Salt Creek at foot of Browning Hill.
  • Annual 2nd Saturday in September. Admission: $25 before 4pm; $10 4pm—7pm closing.
  • Great regional beers, live music, and local food; free 2 oz. samples until 4pm.
  • The Story Inn is an entire 19th century restored village located in southern Brown Co., about 13 miles south of Nashville on SR 135, 30 min. drive west of Columbus, 45 min. drive east of Bloomington, and a 75 min. drive south of Indianapolis. Rain or shine.

Brown County’s National Maple Syrup Festival (http://www.browncounty.com/maplesyrup)

  • 6 miles east of KHT Mile 40 at Belmont is the West entrance to Brown County State Park; the West entrance is 2 miles on SR 46 west of Nashville.
  • Annual 1st weekend in March; all day Sat. & Sun. Park admission fee; most events free.
  • Centered at Brown County State Park, with special events in nearby Nashville and Story Inn.
  • Many outdoor activities: Native American and early settler interpreters will explain early maple sugaring techniques, and more modern-day sugar makers will demonstrate how syrup is made today. Interpretive hikes with focus on maples! Truly fun for the whole family. More mature, less hardy, folks can stay in Nashville and enjoy the syrup on pancakes.

Fort Vallonia Days (http://www.fortvalloniadays.com/home.html)

  • 10 miles north of Plattsburg at KHT Mile 97 on SR 135 in Vallonia in Jackson Co.
  • Annual 3rd weekend in October, at replica of fort built in 1813 to protect 90 settlers’ families from understandably hostile natives in the area.
  • Sat. 9am-6pm; Sun. 9am-5pm.
  • Local food and music, entertainment includes Muzzle Loading Shoot, Archery Shoot, Persimmon Pudding Eating Contest, Horseshoe Pitch, Tomahawk/Knife Throw. Observe local traditional experts in action making apple butter, braiding rugs, spinning and quilting.
  • Come early, 30,000 visitors are expected….

Salem’s Old Settlers’ Days Festival (http://www.oldsettlersdays.org/)

  • 8 miles south of Plattsburg at KHT Mile 97 via SR 135 in Salem.
  • Annual 3rd weekend in September, a tradition since 1875, 10am to 5pm Sat. & Sun.
  • Festivities centered in the Pioneer Village, with functioning buildings filled with reenactments and demonstrators. The Stevens Museum and the Monon Train Depot will be open to the public with a large variety of pioneer games for children, artisans and vendor booths around the John Hay Center property, and food vendors in the parking lot of the Depot. Music includes the Old settlers’ Jamboree, singers and dulcimer players.

Brown County Old Settler’s Reunion, Nashville (http://www.browncounty.com/calendar/event/old-settlers-reunion)

  • 8 miles east of KHT Mile 40 where the trail crosses SR 46 at Belmont.
  • The 4th Saturday in September, 10am-4pm.
  • This annual gathering of the descendants of the early settlers of the county started 100 years ago and features history and activities at the Pioneer Village and History Center.

Bill Monroe’s Music Park & Campground (http://www.beanblossom.us/)

  • 5 Miles east via SR 45 of KHT Mile 23, at intersection of SR 135 & 45 in Beanblossom.
  • 50th Annual Bill Monroe Memorial Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival
  • June 11-18, 2016. Wed.-Sat., over 35 bands. Internationally famous, meet Indiana history.
  • More music in campground jam sessions than on stage, well into the night.

Louisville Derby Days Fireworks

  • KHT Mile 7. At the rocky bluff on the original Knobstone Trail at Mile 7, a view of Louisville can be observed on the distant horizon. What a perch to view the fireworks! Lug a gallon of water to make a perfect camp on the grassy knoll there.
  • The 2nd last Saturday of April. [The first Saturday of May is the Kentucky Derby at the historic Churchill Downs. The Derby celebration kicks off two weeks before, with the largest fireworks display in North America, Thunder Over Louisville. The event lasts all day with vendors, an aviation display that begins at 3 pm, and the fireworks that begin at 9:30pm.]