After working so hard on little Indiana THE BOOK, I decided that the boys and I needed a day away. What could be better than paying a visit to the Aukiki River Festival in Kouts, Indiana?
Held the same week at Kouts’ big Porkfest, the Aukiki River Festival, though smaller, is simply amazing. This is a unique Indiana festival because, not only does it showcase the history of life along the riverfront, it spans a number of years! Please, visit the link above for last year’s article and accompanying video of the event.
It’s not just frontier times or something random chosen from a specific era but it stretches across the history of the river. You will find ladies dressed in their finest as well as simply clothed pioneer folk. Men may be outfitted as Union soldiers or French fur trappers or merchants (to name a few). There are a slew of artisans on hand to demonstrate their skills. From clothes dyers to tinsmiths to blacksmiths and soldiers, it’s an eye-opening, interesting look at Indiana’s past.
Also: I finally got to meet Indiana author Mari Barnes in person! She was also attending the festival and after (years?) of Facebook and Twitter interaction, I just about ditched the boys at the candlemaker so I could rush over and say “Hi!” I love that about our small towns. No matter where I am, chances are I will bump into somebody I know! Also, thanks to the candlemaker! What a wonderful craft!
But that wasn’t it. The arts and crafts table held children’s crafts and was headed by none other than my high school photography teacher “Mrs. Miller!” While I wouldn’t expect her to remember me after, um, a considerable number of years, she did once ask me for a copy of one of my images. It felt pretty good at the time, especially because I referred to it as my “award winning photo” even though it never won any awards (probably because I never did enter it in a contest!). It’s kind of a nice feeling to think that I nurtured that early interest.
If you are looking for a fun, family friendly festival that’s inexpensive to enter and for a good cause (restoring Collier Lodge), please give the Aukiki River Festival in Kouts, Indiana a chance! Bring Indiana history to life and have a great time in the process.
Aukiki River Festival in Kouts, Indiana
Aukiki River Festival in Kouts, Indiana: Dyeing Clothing
Aukiki River Festival in Kouts, Indiana: Children in Period Clothing
Aukiki River Festival in Kouts, Indiana: The Collier Lodge
Aukiki River Festival in Kouts, Indiana: Frontier Schoolhouse
Aukiki River Festival in Kouts, Indiana: The Tinsmith
Small Towns: Destinations, not Drive-Thrus! I’m Jessica Nunemaker and THIS is little Indiana!
Find pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream or on the new little Indiana Tumblr blog.
Just don’t forget to tell ‘em that little Indiana sent you!
Aukiki River Festival
Across from: 1097 Baum’s Bridge Road
Kouts, Indiana 46347
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