Indiana County Tourism Spotlight
The transition of the seasons brings about a busy fair and festival time of the year in Indiana County, PA and the return of many familiar events! Agricultural fairs are the star of our region August through September and the Indiana County Fair gets it going. This year, the Indiana County Fair, held August 28-Sept 3, marked their 159th year! Following is the Ox Hill Community Fair (September 4 – 10) and Green Township Community Fair – Cookport (September 12 – 17). This is a great time to highlight and showcase the year-long hard work of those both young and seasoned, in the agricultural industry, for all to see. The Northern Appalachian Folk Festival (September 9 & 10) brings music and cultural expression to life in the streets of downtown Indiana. The Hoodlebug Festival (September 11) celebrates their 25th anniversary this year with fun and entertainment for the whole family. Apples and fall foliage are the highlights of the Smicksburg region with their Apple Weekend (September 17 & 18) and Fall Festival (October 1-2). The fall seasonal fun continues at Scary Harry’s Haunted Trails (September 30 and weekends in October), which was voted “Scariest HAUNT in Pennsylvania” by TheScareFactor.com in 2021, and the Pumpkin Festival at Reeger’s Farm (weekends in October) which is the perfect fall-themed outing for families. Take the self-guided Indiana County Potter’s Tour (October 15 & 16) to learn more about the fascinating art form and marvel at the beauty of pottery created by our local artisans. Adults can enjoy the taste of locally brewed craft beer & spirits during Downtown Indiana’s Oktoberfest (October 8) and Wine & Spirit Walk (November 4). Shifting gears to the Christmas season, support the small, unique businesses in the area for Smicksburg’s Old Fashioned Country Christmas (November 5-6 & 12-13) and Annual Cookie Tour (December 3). Kick-off your holiday season at the Lucy Donnelly Holiday Kick-off Parade (November 18) and enjoy ongoing holiday fun with the First Commonwealth Bank “It’s A Wonderful Life” Celebration which carry the holiday cheer throughout the entire season on weekends with various activities and events. Marvel at the 32’ LIVE Christmas tree, holiday light displays & window decorations, visit with Santa, go caroling, enjoy a scavenger hunt…the list goes on! Be sure to visit our website www.VisitIndianaCountyPA.org to stay up-to-date with all the upcoming events.
The Indiana County Tourist Bureau (ICTB) continues to passionately promote these fairs and festivals in addition to its other members. The recently re-vamped website and social media platforms have proven effective at reaching a larger, younger population to entice visitor traffic to Indiana County. The momentum will continue with the upcoming development of a new Visitor’s Guide that will be debuting in early 2023. Efforts continue to enhance Indiana County’s tourism presence through social media platforms and online outlets as well as through print materials. In addition to grabbing the attention of prospective visitors eagerly seeking adventures after the past couple of COVID-years, ICTB encourages Indiana County residents to discover what’s in their own backyard. Our website serves as a guide for self-guided walking and driving tours, outdoor adventures, arts and cultural endeavors as well as a resource for local groups and organizations.