The festivities begin fittingly with a marshmallow roast. Weekend activities include food and craft vendors, bingo and marshmallow-themed games, face painting and pony rides. On Sunday morning, a pancake and sausage breakfast is followed by a community worship service.
The highlight of Friday’s opening festivities is a fireworks display at dusk. On Saturday and Sunday evenings, musicians take the main stage to provide entertainment. A car show, tractor pulls, a bike rodeo, a BMX jump show, a motorcycle show and a police vehicle exhibition are also on the agenda. The festival wraps up with a juried parade featuring themed floats on Monday afternoon.
A variety of competitions are held during the festival, including a Marshmallow Bake-Off -- you guessed it, entries must include marshmallows or marshmallow creme -- a chance to become the reigning “King of the Pizza Eaters” by being the fastest to consume a 14-inch pizza and the Armored Fitness Strongman competition for those whose forte is brute strength. Cornhole and euchre tournaments are held, and those who dream of being a star can enter the festival’s talent show.
Ligonier is located at the intersection of US-6, US-33 and SR-5, 25 miles from both I-69 to its east and I-80/90 (toll roads) to the north. Two bed and breakfasts are located in the heart of Ligonier: Solomon Mier Manor and Laura's Victorian Inn. Mainstream hotels -- including Super 8, Courtyard by Marriott, Hampton Inn, and Comfort Inn -- are located about 20 minutes away on Lincoln-Way East in Goshen, Indiana. Visitors won't want to miss the more than two dozen murals painted on Ligonier's walls and its six life-size bronze statues. More information on things to do can be found at the Ligoniers Visitors Station, housed in a 1920s gas station at the corner of SR-5 and West Union Street.
