Bridgeton Covered Bridge Festival

October 14-23, 2022 | 9-6 daily

The Bridge: The Bridgeton covered bridge was built in 1868 followed by the mill in 1870. The old fashioned mill still functions, grinding corn meal and flour. On April 28, 2005, the bridge burned, but the community rebuilt it in just a little over a year. The Bridgeton covered bridge and mill are one of the center points of The Covered Bridge Festival, and a trip to Parke County isn’t complete until you’ve visited it.

The Event: Bridgeton is traditionally the handcrafted center of The Covered Bridge Festival though handcrafted artisans are found throughout the county. Many of the vendors in Bridgeton have been returning for years, some for decades. It’s estimated that over 1,000,000 visitors come to Bridgeton during the festival.

Popular Attractions: The most obvious attractions are the covered bridge and grain mill, but there’s plenty more to see in Bridgeton. There are many historic sites open during the festival including the Old Ford Garage, Old Firehouse, 1879 Jones Place, Bridgeton 1925 School (now a private residence), the 1874 Old Town Hall, the 1932 Station, and the Old Bridgeton Bank.

Popular Shops: There are many unique shops in town, many converted from historic buildings, including: Bridgeton 1978 House (unique gifts, handmade crafts, vintage, farmhouse décor, antiques, and collectibles), 1822 Case Log Cabin (rustic gifts, cast iron cookware, handmade crafts, baskets, and pottery), The Country Store (gift shop) and Ye Olde Covered Bridge Shoppe (gifts and collectibles). Of course, these are in addition to the hundreds of vendors located throughout the town during Covered Bridge Festival

Hidden Gems: Did you know that you can visit the Bridgeton Post Office on the west side of the street where you can mail a postcard from Bridgeton?

Food Options: Visit the Bean Shack behind Ye Olde Covered Bridge Shoppe for ham and beans and breakfast. Collom’s General Store, built in 1904, is open year-round and includes a deli and ice cream (plus, chainsaw carvings, groceries, convenience items, souvenirs, and camping supplies).