Candle making (pictured at right) is one of the most popular free activities available at the Bonneyville Celebration. A large variety of vendors and artisans also display their wares and talents including spinners, as pictured inset. (Photos provided)

Enjoy a weekend filled with the simple things in life – friends, food and good ole family entertainment, at this year’s Bonneyville Celebration being held on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 & 13.  It’s an old country fair! The mill valley will be filled with a variety of craftsmen, entertainment and antique agricultural equipment displays.  The event takes place from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. both days at the historic park which is located 2.5 miles east of Bristol, IN on County Road 131, south of State Road 120.

Bonneyville Mill, the oldest continually operating grist mill in Indiana, will be open for both days of the Celebration. Cornmeal, buckwheat and whole wheat flour ground fresh at the mill is available for purchase.  Free tours and grinding demonstrations will take place throughout the weekend.  The Bonneyville Gift Shop will also be open during the festival and offers a variety of unique gifts and souvenirs.

Potters, quilters and wood workers are just a few of the craftspeople that will be demonstrating their skills and selling their goods during the event.  Area vendors will also offer a wide variety of vegetables and unique handmade specialty items for sale.

Throughout the weekend, a variety of local instrumentalists, vocalists, and dancers will take to the stage.  This year’s lineup of musical entertainment may be the Celebration’s best. Headliners will include The Chicago based Small Potatoes, Carmea and  Drop the Dawg.  Local favorites Les & Gwen Gustafson Zook, Matt Scutchfield and the Good ol’ Boys and the Pine Creek Rounders will also be performing. On Saturday, storyteller and five time winner of “Biggest Liar” competitions, Bill Lepp will weave his tall tales and leave you in stitches.

For the young and young at heart, the children’s area adds to the atmosphere of the country fair with fun and games of all types.  Rope making, pioneer toys, candle dipping, sack races and tug-o-war are just a few of the activities that provide continuous entertainment throughout the weekend.

Start the day off with an early bird pancake and sausage breakfast from 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. both days.  Then for lunch, down-home food like hearty ham and beans, fresh roasted corn, homemade pies and authentic, homemade root beer tempt visitors at every turn.  These and others are sure to satisfy even the heartiest appetite.

Area bakers are invited to participate in the annual Bonneyville Baking Contest. Contest rules and entry forms are available at Bonneyville Mill or the Elkhart County Park Office in Goshen.

On Sunday, begin your day with an old-fashioned hymn sing followed by a worship service surrounded by the beauty of the Mill Valley. This year’s service and hymn-sing will be led by the Bonneyville Mennonite Church congregation.

Admission to the Celebration is free, but there is a $7.00 parking fee per vehicle the weekend of the Celebration . You can purchase your parking pass early and save some money. $5.00 advance parking passes are available at the Elkhart County Parks office in Goshen, IN and at Bonneyville Mill.

A horse-drawn tram will take passengers from the parking area to the mill valley.  Those driving to the festival are asked to enter on County Road 8, south of State Road 120.