Rockville, Indiana, is located in Parke County and touts itself as "The Covered Bridge Capital of the World." With over 30 covered bridges that were built as long ago as 1856, this area is teeming with historical sites for the whole family to enjoy. The annual Covered Bridge Festival, Indiana's largest, always starts on the second Friday of October and runs for at least one week. The festival includes bridge tours, music, food and entertainment on the courthouse lawn, antique and crafts tables and the famous maple syrup of the region.
Drive throughout the county with your map handy and visit all the bridges and the small towns that sit near them. The festival provides free informative maps with locations and history of each bridge as well as activities around the area. Set in the fall of Indiana, enjoy the beautiful colors of the changing leaves as you drive through the countryside. There are over 30 bridges to see, with many of them open to drive or walk across.
You can find the community festival on the lawn of the courthouse in Rockville every day and enjoy all the scrumptious food choices available. Stick around town and check out the unique shops, restaurants, and the community theatre. For an introduction to the covered bridges, head over to the Covered Bridge Art Gallery and peruse the local artists' ware for that unique gift. Each day offers fun and exciting entertainment on the square, so make sure to pick up your schedule so you don't miss a thing.
There are a variety of choices for lodging in the county, from an intimate bed and breakfast to a rustic campsite. If you want a unique experience, in-home lodging is available during the bridge festival so you can get to know the local people. Log on to the Parke County, Indiana, website for information and links to all the local hotels and book your visit.
If you can't get enough of Parke County, come back in February for the annual Maple Syrup Fair and sample pure, homemade syrup that is out of this world. Headquartered at the 4H Fairgrounds just one mile outside of Rockville, the festival features a tour of the "maple camps" throughout the county that show just how syrup is made. After you have worked up your appetite, come back to the fairgrounds and load up on pancakes, ham and your choice of a variety of syrups. The Butcher Shop offers delicious smoked hams, country sausages and cheeses to sample or take home, and on your way out, don't forget to stop by the maple candy and cookie tables to satisfy your sweet tooth.
