Celebrate 1838

A Festival in Metamora, Indiana

Date: June 4 & 5, 2005

Place: Along the Canal in Metamora, IN

What's to See: Besides all the shops of Metamora: On this weekend and this weekend only tradesmen, master craftsmen, and artisans will be demonstrating their century old early American skills. They will set up temporary demonstration tents and dress in attire all consistent with the lives and times of Americans in the 1800's.

The wooden covered bridge aqueduct, one of Metamora's icons, is being renovated in the spring of 2005. So the canal will be without water, perhaps until June 4 and 5, 2005 - this Festival weekend. That will allow the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to demonstrate how canals of the era were dug: by horse drawn scoops. This is a unique opportunity, and an added attraction to this year's festival. That is dependant upon the schedule of repairs to the aqueduct and weather. Return to this page for updates.

Strawberry Daze: The first weekend of June has always been Strawberry Daze as well. The Metamora Merchant's Association serves Strawberry shortcake and other dishes to the visiting public to show Customer Appreciation and to raise money for their activities and charities -- primarily Christmas Walk, and Ruth Lyons Children's Fund of Cincinnati.  This has not changed. The Merchant's Association will be greeting the public and serving Strawberry desserts as usual. They will also join the spirit of the weekend with an 1800's style tent and period costume.

Artisans, Craftsmen, and Tradesmen:  To be eligible to set up and Demonstrate your work and your craftsmanship contact the Commissioner's Council on Historic Metamora, General Delivery, Metamora, IN  47030 or call either Ron Albrecht 812-744-4213 or Candy Yurcak 765-647-3660 or David Bowser dbowser@direcway.com. You will be allowed to sell your wares to the visiting public in exchange for your trouble and your contribution to this educational historical preservation event.

Other Vendors: Metamora's restrictions on outside selling are in full effect as usual except for those juried craftsmen permitted -- who by participating have elected to join in a Heritage event and demonstrate their skills to the visiting public on these days. Specifically, no temporary festival vending or selling will be permitted that is not consistent with the Celebrate 1838 theme. This means that all properties, property owners and leasers within the primary historic district are restricted from selling outdoors. Merchandise displays outside of permanent shops are restricted to that normally allowed by ordinances.

For more information: copperron@aol.com, dbowswer@direcway.com, or 765-647-3360