Wabash County H.S. Seniors
Scholarship Opportunity
Every year, due to the generosity of the Melba Johnson Custer Educational Endowment, the Paradise Spring Board offers one $2500 dollar scholarship for college to the student who writes the best essay about the Paradise Spring Historical Park. The Guidance Department at each H.S. is emailed the application, the prompt for that year and information with all the instructions. Homeschooled/on-line/or alternate school students are also eligible to apply. For more information, contact your H.S. Guidance Counselor or call Deanna at (260)571-2879. The deadline for 2025 is Apr. 15, but in the future, it will be Mar. 31st.
Previous Winners:
2021 - Rebecca Bruss, Kendra Kline, Erin McGouldrick, and McKenzie Roth 4 $1000 scholarships
2022 - Only 2 essays received - one winner Ethan Espeset
2023 - Board decided to only award ONE $2500 scholarship - winner Japheth Niccum
2024 - Winner of $2500 scholarship - McKelvey Espeset
PARADISE SPRING EVENTS
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7th Annual Founders Fest
September 14, 2024
Paradise Spring Historical Park
The 2024 Founders Festival and Parade in downtown Wabash!
Mark your calendar for Sept. 14 and plan to join us for a fun-filled day.
We sincerely appreciate the support that so many are willing to provide to the Founders Festival. Read below for important updates!
last update 6/29/24 KEEP WATCHING FOR MORE 2024 UPDATES
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The Wabash Founders Festival at Paradise Spring Historical Park at 351 E. Market St. in downtown Wabash will be Sat. Sept. 14 from 9-5:00pm and it will be bigger and better than ever! We were saddened to hear that Mississinewa 1812 has been cancelled this year - however, we have invited MANY of their gifted Living History people and Food Vendors to join US for the day concentrating most of the activity at Paradise Spring. Quite a few will be setting up camp Friday afternoon to prepare for Saturday. Our event focuses on the 1826 Treaty between the Miami and Potawatomi Nations and the US Government to obtain land to build a canal which opened this section of the country for settlement. As in past years, the parade begins at 3:00 p.m. and the festival runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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9:30am Flag-raising near Council House at Paradise Spring Historical Park; visit the Militia Camp and Pioneer Cabins, Indian Village, and Horse and pony rides. Cannon fire and military drills. First-person historic presentations; Kids activities throughout the day; (Much more info to come!)
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Enjoy fry bread and apple butter, veggie pizzas, ham & beans, cornbread, Kettle Korn & MORE! We invite you to participate in the day by either being a vendor, a volunteer, an entry in the parade and/or a re-enactor in our Living History exhibits.
Interact with traders, woodwright and wood carvers, broom making and reed weaving ; musicians, singing and dancing.
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For more information about Pioneer Village at Paradise Spring Historical Park, please contact Deanna Unger at 260-571-2879 or complete on-line form..
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Special thanks to our Sponsors (coming soon to this page).
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Together we are sharing the stories of our past with the future.
The Wabash Founders Festival and Parade Committee, Bev Vanderpool (765)661-8206 and Chris Benson (260)571-9391 FOUNDERS FEST "Under Construction" Grow As We Go!
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Kids Zone presented by LaFontaine Christian Church on Miami St. - watch for details!
VENDORS:
1. Period centers around 1826 Treaty at Paradise Spring; also the Canal and Railroad Era through early 1900s.
No fee for period Vendors; must dress in period costume
2. Seeking non-profit food vendors to add to atmosphere
3. Blanket vendors welcome!
4. Contact
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VOLUNTEERS:
Join the fun and help make a difference, volunteers are needed throughout the day. Please consider volunteering to help with the day and the festivities.
Living History:
Would you like to be a part of the living history portrayers? Contact Deanna Unger for more information.
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Open House at Settler's Cabin (down the hill) near River Trail
2nd Saturday April-Oct
9:30am-noon
Wabash Marketplace First Fridays
The Paradise Spring Board has joined Wabash Marketplace and will be participating in some First Friday events.
To Be Announced - keep watching!
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Wabash River Defenders
July
The Wabash River Defenders is a watershed initiative which acts to restore and remove debris from the Wabash River in Wabash County, Indiana. Since 2011, WRD has kicked off their annual river clean-up event in July at Paradise Spring Historical Park. Since that time, they have removed more than 125 million pounds of tires, scrap steel, construction materials, and other debris from the Wabash River.
Wabash Cannonball Chili for Charity
October
The largest chili cook-off east of the Mississippi River is held at Paradise Spring Historical Park each year. Visit the park between 12 pm - 4 pm to try more than 100 chilis and vote for your favorites. All proceeds from this event are donated to local charities. 2023 was the 20th anniversary of this event.
Old Fashioned Christmas
Celebrate an Old Fashioned Christmas in the cabins at Paradise Spring Park during "Holiday Night to Remember" in November.
Paradise Spring Annual Meeting
About 40 people attended The Paradise Spring Board Annual Soup Supper Feb. 26th at the Wabash County Museum. Following the meal and the recap of the 2024 events at Paradise Spring, Jim Needler, a member of Davis' Rangers gave an update on the Mississinewa 1812 new site between Marion and Gas City. (Their event is Oct. 3-5!) and Plan to join US Feb. 25, 2026! RSVP to Deanna at (260)571-2879; no charge - donations welcome for Cabin Maintenance at Paradise Spring!
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4th Wednesday
February25, 2026!
