PARADISE SPRING EVENTS
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6th Annual Founders Festival
Sept. 16, 2023
The 2023 Founders Festival and Parade in downtown Wabash!
Mark your calendar for Sept. 16 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 8/18/23 KEEP WATCHING FOR MORE 2023 UPDATES
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Be sure to also visit www.wabashmuseum.org under Events for complete information on ALL downtown events!
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Celebrate Historical Downtown Wabash and learn about the rich history of our contributing founders by attending the Founders Festival and Parade. This year, the parade begins at 3:00 p.m. and the festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Local businesses and vendors will be along the streets of Downtown Wabash and at Paradise Spring Historical Park. Additionally, the festival will have live music and interactive activities to be enjoyed by all.
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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 Railroad Tent. First-person historic presentations; in Reminisce tent; Kids activities throughout the day; Old-fashioned merry-go-round.
Be sure to view new sign added in 2022 by Cook's Cabin - bronze plaque of Kin-com-a-ong Spring
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Enjoy pulled pork sandwich, ham & beans, Kettle Korn. 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 Premier Sponsor Wabash Solid Waste Management.
Rest, Eat & Listen Zones Sponsor: First Farmers Bank & Trust
Founders Festival Entertainment Sponsor: Wabash Castings LLC
Kids Activity Zone Sponsors: Bachelor Creek Church of Christ
Family Programming Sponsors: Ford Meter Box Foundation
Founders Festival Living History Sponsor: Paradise Spring Historical Park Board
Founders Festival Dunk Tank Challenge Sponsor: Wabash County YMCA
Founders Festival Partners: Visit Wabash County, City of Wabash, McKillip Machinery and White Rock
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Museum Under the Stars Friday evening on Market St. near Museum
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Together we are sharing the stories of our past with the future.
The Wabash Founders Festival and Parade Committee, presented by Crossroads Bank, is proud to announce the theme and form details.
Theme: Light Up Wabash
This year, will again have our Reminisce Tent - come share stories of early Wabash. If you have any pictures from that era, PLEASE contact me! We would love to include pictures in our displays.
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. Complete form at www.wabashmuseum.org - Look under Events for Founders Fest
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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 is 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
The Paradise Spring Board invites you to attend our Annual Soup Supper at 6pm at the Wabash County Museum. Following the meal, TJ Honeycutt, archivist from Wabash County Museum will share the sometimes rocky history of the Museum. RSVP to Deanna at (260)571-2879; no charge - donations welcome for Cabin Maintenance at Paradise Spring! Some "guests" will be dressed as1820s characters, too!
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4th Wednesday
February22, 2023
