7 Indiana Food Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss

A Midwest road trip would be incomplete without visiting the great state of Indiana. This beautiful place is known for limestone, baseball and a whole lot of unique and interesting foodie events. Hungry for a taste of the Hoosier State? Here are the top seven Indiana food festivals to add to your bucket list.

1. Maple Syrup Festival

Wakarusa

If you’re a fan of maple syrup, prepare to have your socks knocked off at the Maple Syrup Festival in Wakarusa. The city has hosted this celebration for more than 45 years. In addition to sampling a variety of homemade maple syrup recipes, you can expect to find stacks of all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausages, live music performances, a wild animal show, and the crowning of the Festival Queen. Those looking for something savory can also enjoy barbecue, pulled pork, hot dogs and a medley of dessert options.

See more: Trees, Taps and Sap: How Maple Syrup is Made

2. Rosedale Strawberry Festival

Rosedale

Who can turn down an invitation to savor strawberry shortcakes, pies and other delicious treats on a hot summer day? If you have a penchant for strawberries (or you simply want to spend the day celebrating the bounty of summertime), Rosedale in June is the place to be. Make sure to arrive hungry – or at least bring a bag to take some mouthwatering goodies home with you. And don’t forget to stick around to enjoy the live music, contests, crafts and children’s activities throughout the day.

See more: Top 10 Strawberry Recipes for National Strawberry Month

3. BBQ RibFest

Fort Wayne

Everyone loves a good barbecue, which is why Fort Wayne should be near the top of your foodie bucket list. There’s something for everyone at the town’s BBQ RibFest, from a 5k race and live musical performances to quite possibly the most barbecue you’ve ever seen in one place. You can even pick up a few cold beers to accompany your meal.

4. Indian Market and Festival

Indianapolis

Native Americans are known for having a beautiful, colorful culture, but how much do you know about their food? If your answer is anywhere in the realm of unsure, you need to make it a priority to attend the Indian Market and Festival in Indianapolis. This summer celebration gives you the chance to enjoy Native American art, music, storytelling and dance. Plus, you can savor some incredible and authentic dishes – like fry bread and Navajo tacos.

5. Shoals Catfish Festival

Shoals

Sure, you can celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks and a plate of hot dogs, but why not shake things up by attending the Catfish Festival in Shoals, Indiana? The list of things to enjoy is long – sporting events, parades, cooking competitions, fishing contests and live entertainment are just the tip of the iceberg. And, of course, you can expect to indulge in all kinds of delicious catfish dishes. Stick around and you may even get to see the tradition of the Catfish Festival Queen kissing the biggest catfish.

6. Pierogi Fest

Whiting

With live entertainment, Eastern European costumes, parades and polka dancing, how could anyone pass up a visit to Pierogi Fest in Whiting? And yes, you can expect to enjoy enough pierogis to last you a lifetime. More than a quarter of a million people flock to this annual festival to celebrate all things Polish. So go ahead and book your tickets because this is one festival you don’t want to miss.

7. Popcorn Festival

Valparaiso

We all love a good bag of popcorn, but did you know that you have the Midwest to thank for the classic movie-night treat? Indiana popcorn production in 2012 rolled in at more than 220 million pounds, so it’s really no surprise that the Hoosier State hosts an annual popcorn festival. From popcorn-themed parades and children’s games to a Popcorn Panic race and plenty of popcorn to make your day, this is definitely one Indiana food festival for the books.

See more: Parmesan & Thyme Popcorn