Annual Fun Fest to Be Held in North Manchester, Indiana

"Wild, Wild West" is the theme of this year's Fun Fest By the River in North Manchester, Indiana. This annual summer festival offers three days of great family fun and entertainment in this small Midwestern town. Market Square, located in historic downtown North Manchester, is the place to be this weekend (August 7 through 9) for rides, games, food, live entertainment, crafts, basketball, a pet show, and so much more!

Cruizin' Illusions car show

The highlight of the North Manchester Fun Fest is the annual Cruizin' Illusions car show, held the Friday evening of the festival. Cruizin' Illusions is a loosely knit group of local car buffs who invite participants to show off their cars and motorcycles. This will be the eighteenth year for the Cruizin' Illusions car show which draws vintage cars, hot rods, and customized cars and trucks from the northern Indiana area. Ten years ago, motorcycles were added to the car show, and many domestic and foreign motorcycles will be exhibited. The group expects about 250 to 300 cars to be displayed this Friday.

The North Manchester Fun Fest hosts activities for all age groups, so the whole family can get in on the excitement! Babies old enough to crawl can enter the Diaper Derby (well, adults have to sign them up!) which will be held Saturday morning. Preschool kids can participate in the Cutie King and Queen contest, held on Thursday evening. And pets aren't left out! Dress Fido up in his dandiest outfit and show him off at the Pet Costume contest Friday evening.

There are so many family-oriented activities that to describe them all would make this article many pages long! To name just a few of the most popular events: Watermelon Feed (free watermelon, yum!), a bed race, the Bench Press Classic, a fish fry, Belles and Beaus square dance exhibition, a street dance with a live band (this year features "Bill & the Cruisers"), the Pancake/Sausage Breakfast, and the 5K Fun Run. For a complete schedule of events and contact numbers, please click on this link.

You'll find all your favorite festival foods at Fun Fest By the River!

Festivals and food just naturally go together, and there's never a shortage of food booths at the North Manchester Fun Fest By the River! Traditional Midwestern treats like corn dogs and breaded tenderloins, elephant ears, ice cream, cotton candy, lemonade, french fries, sno-cones and other delicious festival goodies will all be available from street vendors.

Festival-goers who aren't fans of festival food can stop in at the award-winning Mr. Dave's Restaurant, which is located on the corner of Market Square (the intersection of SR 114 and Market Street) in North Manchester. Mr. Dave's is a small, locally-owned establishment that offers fast-food style service, but better-than-fast-food quality. You can dine on Mr. Dave's patio and enjoy watching the festivities if you choose, or dine inside in their cool, comfortable dining room. The Main View Inn is also a popular local eating establishment, and is located on the south side of Main Street, just a block east of Market Square. Across the street, pizza lovers can enjoy tasty pizza from East of Chicago Pizza Company.

Antique lovers can enjoy browsing at the Antique Market or Country Antiques and Collectibles. Both shops are located in the historic downtown district of North Manchester. Other shops in the historic district include The Creative Stitch (quilting fabrics, kits, and supplies), the Dirt Roads Candle Company (high-quality candles made by local artisans), Donna's Herb Shop, Selleck's Boots (western boots and leather repair), and the Primitive Cupboard (rustic country decor). One World Handicrafts offers clothing, home decor and gifts created by women in Third World countries, as a nonprofit philanthropic effort to aid disadvantaged women in these countries to provide for their families. One block north of Main Street (SR 114 becomes Main Street) on Walnut Street is The Studio Jewelers, which has new as well as vintage and heirloom jewelry, and unique gift items.

Historic North Manchester, Indiana

The North Manchester Historical Museum is scheduled to be open this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop in and view the fascinating exhibits that tell the history of this small Midwestern town. Here are just a few interesting historical facts about North Manchester:

The DeWitt Automobile was manufactured in North Manchester from 1908 through 1910.

Thomas Marshall, the 28^th Vice President, was born in North Manchester. His birthplace has been moved from its original location and restored. You can view the home, which now sits just a few blocks north of Market Square.

Miami Indians were the first natives to live in the North Manchester area. Later, the Potawatomi Indians migrated south to the Eel River, and the Manchester College football field sits just south of land that was once a Potawatomi village.

The first white settler arrived in the area in 1834, and the first white family settled here in 1836. The town grew rapidly due to the railroads that ran through the area. In 1874 the town became incorporated and was officially named North Manchester (since there was already another Manchester). The latest census shows the population of this small Midwestern town at approximately 6,000 people.

One of the three Underground Railroads in Wabash County was operated in North Manchester. It is said that the station was so well hidden that no fugitives were ever tracked down after passing through.

The river in "Fun Fast By the River" is the Eel River, originally called the Kenapocomoco by the native Indians.

North Manchester is located about 35 miles southwest of Fort Wayne, Indiana. State Roads 114 and 13 intersect at the west end of North Manchester. Head east on SR 114 until you hit the downtown area. If you're looking for a place to have some fun this weekend, I recommend you visit us in North Manchester and enjoy our annual Fun Fast By the River. I guarantee you'll have a great time!