Children tug on a rope during last year’s Shipshewana Mayfest. Photo provided.

News Release

SHIPSHEWANA — The Shipshewana Mayfest is a good old-fashioned, small-town event that kicks off the spring season!

It offers businesses in Shipshewana an opportunity to support local residents as well as visitors with a fun and family friendly event. It’s two days packed with live entertainment, sports tournaments, kids’ fun run and 5K, Mayfest Parade, corn-hole tournament, kid’s games, tractor pull, dancing, music and more.

There will be twelve different food vendors this year that are sure to satisfy all kinds of appetites.

Mayfest events are free and will take place in downtown Shipshewana on Morton Street, with surrounding shops open for business.

“Come join us on Friday, May 3rd and Saturday, May 4th as we ready, set, spring into
our busy season in Shipshewana!” Tobi Oxenrider, Director of the Shipshewana Retail Merchant’s Association, historic Mayfest Sponsor, said.

Some of the food vendors for 2024 include: Hilty’s Backwood Wings, Kings BBQ, Kukui’s, Otto’s Elephant Ears, Secret Recipe, Nelson’s, Smothered & Covered Fries, Randy Mullett Popcorn, and S & R Concessions.

Friday morning entertainment includes Jim Barron and the Westview Band & Choir. Acoustic Harmony and Lonesome Road Bluegrass will perform in the evening beginning at 5:45 p.m.

Saturday begins with a pancake and sausage breakfast and bake sale at 7 a.m. in the Main Tent. A kid’s fun run and 5K run will begin at 8 a.m., with the Grand Mayfest Parade at 10 a.m. There will be a variety of activities throughout the day on Saturday, including live music all day in the Main Tent, ending with Lonesome Road Bluegrass playing from 7- 8 p.m.

Sonya Nash, Director of the Shipshewana/LaGrange County CVB, stated, “Events like Mayfest showcase
the best things about Shipshewana and LaGrange County: our quaint downtown, our Amish and Mennonite cultures, our amazing agricultural background, and the always-welcoming hospitality towards visitors.”

Full Schedule Of Events

Friday, May 3:

• 8:30-9:15 a.m. Jim Barron (Main Tent)
• 9:45-10:30 a.m. Jim Barron (Main Tent)
• 10:45 a.m. to noon Westview Band and Choir (Main Tent)
• 5 p.m. Softball Tournament (Cove)
• 5 p.m. Old Fashion Horse Races (Pletcher Track)
• 5:30 p.m. 3-on-3 Basketball (Cove)
• 5:45-6:45 p.m. Acoustic Harmony (Main Tent)
• 7-8 p.m. Lonesome Road Bluegrass (Main Tent)

Saturday, May 4:

• 7-10 a.m. Pancake and Sausage Breakfast (Main Tent)
• 7 a.m. Bake Sale (Main Tent)
• 7:30 a.m. Pickleball Tournament (Cove)
• 8 a.m. 3-on-3 Tournament (Cove)
• 8 a.m. Softball Tournament (Cove)
• 8 a.m. Volleyball Tournament (Cove)
• 8:15 a.m. Kids Fun Run (Wolfe Building)
• 8:30 a.m. 5K Run (Wolfe Building)
• 10 a.m. Parade (See Route)
• 11 a.m. Art Awards (Main Tent)
• 11 a.m. Corn Hole Tournament (Wolfe Building Parking Lot)
• 11:30 a.m. to noon David and Goliath story (Main Tent)
• 11:30 a.m. Balloon Artist (Mercantile Porch)
• Noon Kids’ Pedal Pull (Depot Street)
• Noon to 6 p.m. Second Balloon Artist (Park Pavilion)
• Noon to 6 p.m. Face Painting (Park Pavilion)
• Noon to 7 p.m. Barrel Train Rides (Wolfe Building Parking Lot)
• Noon to 7 p.m. Bounce Houses (East of the Main Tent)
• 12:15-1 p.m. John Dudley (Main Tent)
• 1 p.m. K-9 Demonstration (Town Park)
• 1 p.m. Kids’ Obstacle Course Races 16U (East of the Main Tent)
• 1 p.m. 3-on-3 Basketball, Open Division (Cove)
• 1:30-2:30 p.m. Heartland Cloggers (Main Tent)
• 2 p.m. Garden Tractor Pull (North Harrison Street)
• 2 p.m. Kids’ Jousting Competition 16U (East of the Main Tent)
• 2 p.m. 3-on-3 Basketball, Century Division (Cove)
• 2:45-3:15 p.m. David and Goliath story (Main Tent)
• 3:30-4:15 p.m. John Dudley (Main Tent)
• 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sam Miller (Main Tent)
• 5:45-6:45 p.m. Full Measure (Main Tent)
• 7-8 p.m. Lonesome Road Bluegrass (Main Tent)