Indiana covered bridge festival off to busy start

BRIDGETON, Ind. — Big crowds made the trip to western Indiana for the opening days of this year’s Parke County Covered Bridge Festival that celebrates the rural county’s 31 wooden spans.

This is the 55th year of the countywide festival that runs through Oct. 23, drawing tens of thousands of visitors on busy days — and some 2,500 vendors who set up shop.

Bridgeton’s 1860s-era grist mill and covered bridge that was rebuilt in 2006 after being destroyed in an arson fire were surrounded by a sea of cars on Sunday. The doors of Collom’s General Store were opened wide and people flowed in and out, carrying ice cream cones and bowls of persimmon pudding.

Kathy Collom said the festival’s opening weekend brought more people than usual.

“Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful,” Collom told the Tribune-Star.. “To me it seems to be up. We’ve had phenomenal days.”

Brian Deblecourt had 10 vendors leasing space on Vigo County property his parents own along U.S. 41 several miles from the Parke County line with long lines of cars driving past.

Retired National Guardsman Steven Keller was among Deblecourt’s vendors, working tables full of glassware, art and others collectibles he’s picked up, including during his time overseas in the military.

“Actually, this is my year to sell,” he said. “I’ve got too much stuff I’ve accumulated over the years.”