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Covered Bridge Festivals

Covered bridges across North America draw tourists through their historical value and scenic quality. Many towns and counties work to preserve them to be enjoyed by visitors and residents alike. A favored way to raise both preservation funding and awareness of these area landmarks is through annual covered bridge festivals. These festivals can be found in both the United States and in Canada. Guided bridge tours, parades and markets celebrating locally produced wares and produce are just some of the attractions available at these covered bridge community celebrations.

Kings County Covered Bridge Festival
- Kings County, in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, is known as the Covered Bridge Capital of Atlantic Canada and annually holds the Kings County Covered Bridge Festival during the second week of July. With 16 covered bridges spread out over county roads and waterways, the area celebrates over four days with guided bicycle or canoe tours, mural tours within the Sussex town area and the Covered Bridge Tea service at Salmon Covered Bridge. Fresh produce and refreshments are sold at the Sussex Farmer's Market during the festival.
The Madison County Covered Bridge Festival
- The central Iowa county of Madison has been celebrating its covered bridge history and preservation since 1970 with a two day festival on the second full weekend in October. A Made-in-Madison-County vendor booth, a Covered Bridges King and Queen selection ceremony, an antique and classic car show and a Sunday afternoon antique vehicle parade are held in the town of Winterset. Guided bridge tours, historical programs and visits to the nearby birth home of John Wayne are available to festival goers.
Virginia Covered Bridge Festival
- Patrick County, Virginia, and the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Woolwine in southwestern Virginia, holds the Virginia Covered Bridge Festival in honor of the area's Jacks Creek Covered Bridge and Bob White Covered Bridge. Local artisans and crafts people show and sell their work during the festival held annually on the third Saturday of each June. Lve music shows, a petting zoo and hay rides provide family entertainment. Antique car rides between the two star attraction bridges are available for a fee.
Parke County Covered Bridge Festival
- The ten-day long Parke County Covered Bridge Festival is held across Parke County, Indiana every year beginning on the second Friday of October. It includes events and attractions in county towns such as Mansfield, Montezuma, Bridgeton and Rockville. Local arts and crafts, Amish baked goods, antiques and specialty foods are displayed by vendors for festival visitors to browse through and purchase in all the towns. A hog roast, community theater and tours through log cabins, a grist mill and the 39 area covered bridges are available during the festival. The Covered Bridge Art Gallery resides in Rockville and the town of Tangier offers its famous buried beef, which is foil wrapped and cooked till tender in dugout in-ground pits.