SHIPSHEWANA OFFERS GREAT FLEA MARKET IN THE CENTRE OF INDIANA'S AMISH
COUNTRY
By Harold Merton
Photos by Harold Merton
One of the most pleasant weekend trips one can take in the
State of
Indiana is to the small Amish town of Shipshewana, not far from Elkhart,
the RV manufacturing capital of the world. Elkhart and surrounding communities
in Northern Indiana (and in southern Michigan) are home to dozens of major
RV manufacturing plants and a visit to this area should be a must for
every RVer. You haven't experienced the full
scope of RVing until you have taken a plant tour to see RVs being built
from the ground up. But situated just a few miles east of Elkhart is Shipshewana,
an Amish town tucked away on a buggy-filled secondary road. Shipshewana
is located in the centre of the third largest Amish community in the United
States. Famous for some of the best shopping in Amish Country this town
is truly one of the Midwest state's hidden surprises for those who have
never had the good fortune to visit before.
Picturesque storefronts lining the streets house a multitude of good
things from baked goods to antiques. It is the type of town you can wander
for a few hours on a pleasant day. There is also a fabulous restaurant
that serves family-style meals, a stop we try to include every time we
visit. However what Shipshewana is most famous for is the Midwest's largest
outdoor flea market, a gathering that sees move than a thousand vendors
set up shop every Tuesday (7 am to 5 pm) and Wednesday (7 am to 3 pm)
from May to October. You don't find used junk at this one! The vendors
carry a fantastic array of new goods all at bargain prices. I am not a
flea market person but I thoroughly enjoy looking at the goods at this
one.
This of course is a Mennonite area and you will find a lot of products
that they produce, including quality furniture. It is a rare thing to
see people at this flea market not carrying bags of purchases. I even
buy some things myself. There is also an Antique Auction every Wednesday
(all year) that starts at 8 am and a horse auction on Fridays at 9 am
(all year). Back in the main part of town the shops are open Monday to
Saturday twelve months a year. You can visit a huge variety of specialty
shops (there are nearly 90 of them) and find a huge assortment of good
foods and baking. We caution you though not to visit Shipshewana on a
Sunday because out of respect for their religious heritage the Amish do
not do business on this day. Most of the shops are closed.
The rest of the week you can take a buggy ride around town, enjoy a live
theatre show or take a multi-media journey through Amish history at Menno-Hoff,
a Mennonite-Amish Interpretive Center located across from the Flea Market
sales barn and created to inform about the Amish religion. Each year a
special one day Antique Market is held on the grounds of the Antique Gallery
on SR5 across from the Flea Market. In 2005 it was Saturday August 6th.
One hundred vendors took part and if you would like to check on this year's
date call 260.768.7090 or visit www.tradingplaceamerica.com
The Blue Gate Restaurant located at the four-way stop in town and
one-quarter of a mile North of the Flea Market offers those fabulous family
style meals. Their fried chicken is absolutely delicious. On Tuesdays
they offer pastors and teachers their meal at half price. The Blue Gate
also offers live theatre and you can check on their schedule at 260.768.4725
or www.riegsecker.com
Annual events include a quilt show in May at the Old Davis Hotel,
Shipshewana May Fest, a Haiti Benefit Auction in May, a three day Flea
market near the end of May and first of June, a Habitat for Humanity Benefit
Auction in August, the Antique Market in August, a Fall Crafters Fair
in October, Country Christmas Celebrations in November as well as a visit
from Santa and Live Nativity in December. Further details and updated
information is available at www.Shipshewana.com
You will see plenty of Amish buggies on the roads in the area and
motorists should be aware that these rigs do not travel slowly. They appear
on the roads very quickly and move along at a fast pace. You can find
yourself upon them a lot sooner than you would imagine.
There are several campgrounds in the area. We have chosen the Elkhart
Co. Middlebury Exit KOA in Middlebury just a few miles west of the Shipshewana
area on 120. You will find a separate feature on this campground in this
issue. While there is a campground a few miles North of Shipshewana at
the corner of State Road 5 and State Road 120, the desk lady there will
never let us speak with the manager or owner and after two years I gave
up trying to get details of this park to present with this story. The
same owners operate a small campground south of the Flea Market site but
again we cannot get any information for the same reason. A major campground
guide will also give information on other campgrounds in the area. If
you want a good shopping time with great quality products and great food
then Shipshewana is an excellent destination for a great RV weekend.
Shipshewana is located on Side Road 5 between US 20 and Side Road 120. Take Exit 107 or 121 off I-80/90 toll road.
Amish Country Visitors Centre, Elkhart IN
800.860.5951
www.AmishCountry.org
Shipshewana/LaGrange County Visitors Bureau
1.800.254.8090
www.backroads.org
For more information on the area
www.Shipshewana.com
260.768.7589