Small Town Adventure, Big Time Fun: The Elwood Glass Festival

A festival honoring glass? Now that sounds interesting, kind of? Elwood, Indiana – located in the heart of Indiana in Madison County – seems to find glass-art extremely intriguing. For 30 years, the Elwood Chamber of Commerce has hosted the annual Elwood Glass Festival, which serves as a tribute to the two art-glass shops in Elwood, the House of Glass and Prestige Crystal.

As a native of Elwood, I have attended the Elwood Glass Festival every year since I was born. Taking place on the third weekend of August, the Elwood Glass Festival takes at Callaway Park. I am a bit biased, but I find this festival to be one of the most exciting festivals in Central Indiana.

Ranging from the Vintage Roller Car Show, which features over 300 antique cars to free bus tours that show visitors the quant town of Elwood, there truly is something for everyone. For younger visitors the festival features a full carnival with rides and games that gives children a break from the many booths that their parents will surely love. These booths line the park fairway and give visitors a chance to observe and purchase some local small town flavor.

Entertainment is another major attraction at the Elwood Glass Festival. For a good laugh you could attend the baby races at the football stadium on Saturday afternoon. Coming from a former toddler trot champion, these races won’t disappoint. If games are more your cup of tea, then Friday and Saturday night Bingo sponsored by local sorority, Kappa Delta Phi, will be for you. In addition to these other entertainment attractions, there is a wide variety of concerts that are featured on the Main Stage by the shelter house.

Now for the Insider information, coming from someone that knows that town inside and out. When it comes to parking many visitors go directly to the Elwood Community High School parking lot. This parking lot can fill up, which makes some visitors walk very far just to get to the festival.

My advice would be to turn off of 19^thstreet right before the park by the old swimming pool. Behind the old swimming pool is an open field by the Little League baseball field that provides much closer parking. This field rarely completely fills up and it is much closer to the festival itself. Don’t tell all the locals I gave you the inside scoop!

For a late summer road trip and a small town adventure, the Elwood Glass Festival is the place to go. For more information visit the Web site, elwoodglassfestival.com.