Experiences Make the Holiday in Shipshewana!
I find myself drawn back to the Shipshewana area especially at Holiday time! There is so much to see and do in this beautiful, faith field town and countryside. On a recent trip, I had several experiences that you can also enjoy that make this a holiday and winter wonderland destination. As I get older, I find I cherish shared experiences beyond traditional gifts. Shipshewana and LaGrange County Indiana are filled with fun things to do and try!
I traveled to Shipshewana with a group of Midwest Travel Network Bloggers. The trip was coordinated by Sara Broers of Travel with Sara. We were hosted by Visit Shipshewana and the delightful Sonya Nash headed up our visit! Bloggers Our Adventure is Everywhere, Hip Grandma Life, Gleason Family Adventure, and Sharon the Moments, were all on board! Read about their take on this holiday adventure!
The basics!
We stayed at the Farmstead Inn while in town. This is a fun place with a hot breakfast, nice rooms, places to kick back, and lovely decor.
Our first stop on the trip was the Menno-Hof Amish-Mennonite Interpretive Museum. This visit provided religious history and a background of the Amish, Mennonite, and Hutterite people. Guide Karleen Richter accompanied us on all our tours. You can arrange tours with Karleen who can provide insight into the Amish way of life.
Kids’ Kreations Make-n-take Amish Doll.
Clara Wagler, owner of Kids Kreations grew up in Middlebury, Indiana. In this Amish community Clara started working in her aunt’s fabric store. Today she has taken over this family-owned business. This is a one-of-a-kind doll store. We had a great time doing the make-n-take Amish doll. With a lot of assistance, I created my own Amish fabric doll. You can arrange this as well.
At home, my doll, named Clara in honor of the owner of Kid’s Kreation, has found a place of honor in my guest bedroom.
Cookie decorating at Shawna Rae’s Cafe
Besides the fact that she has awesome food, Shawna Rae offers cookie decorating fun! “I’ve been working since I was 13,” Shawna said, “I just love the idea of giving good food.”
She said her mother was a fabulous cook that made everything from scratch. “We didn’t always have a lot, but we had a full table. There was nothing from a box, or bags. I went to school with biscuits and gravy every day, so I think I just grew up with that. I still love doing it.”
The love of her food is obvious and carries over with her husband and daughter that we met. After consuming copious amounts of amazing food, Shawna gave us cookies to decorate! How fun! Book a meal and a cookie decorating time for your own family! This ended our first day before we headed to the Shipshewana Lights of Joy Drive thru.
We were blessed to see a preview of this amazing light display. Located on the grounds of the Shipshewana Flea Market, over 2 million LED lights and specialty displays light up the night! This opens November 17th. They are open until December 31st.
Entertainment for the holidays!
Mel Riegsecker (far Right) and his wife June (far Left).
What better experience than to enjoy music or a play, both of which the Blue Gate properties can provide! At the Blue Gate, they have it all. A hotel, restaurant, and entertainment venues. We got the rare opportunity to dine at the Blue Gate and meet the founders Mel and June Riegsecker. Their story of starting the Blue Gate was amazing. The Blue Gate history section shares, “A native of Northern Indiana Amish Country, Mel’s father was an Amish harness maker, who taught Mel every detail of this ethnic skill. In 1970, for his own enjoyment, Mel created the first of his miniature wagons and six horse hitches with everything from manes to bridles authentically detailed. Mel’s father displayed the handsome miniature in his shop for all to enjoy. To the surprise of father and son, the miniature was quickly purchased!”
Over time, they developed all of the Blue Gate operations which today are headed up by their son and son-in-law.
Hit the Stage!
During the morning we got a special behind the scenes tour of the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center. That evening we saw famous country star, Trace Adkins at this 1500 seat theatre. I loved the decor which offers pictures of musicians, guitars, and a play on auto art. Before becoming a theater, this was a Hudson car museum!
Trace Adkins lived up to his reputation as entertainer extraordinaire! He had bloggers dancing in the box that we watched the show from!
The next day, we were at the Blue Gate Music Hall for the wonderful Amish Musical Christmas Candy Caper. Entertainment is available all over Shipshewana! Book tickets for a play or music act for a Christmas present for your loved ones or yourself. My husband Keith got tickets for May for the Kentucky Headhunters! We’ll be back!
Make a basket, pretzel, or paint a picture!
Making and taking are great gift experience concepts. Sonshine Baskets offers a Make-n-take option. This is a fun place with custom baskets beautifully crafted. On their website they share, “Our family works together weaving handwoven baskets, featuring real leather handles and fabric liners. 70+ styles in several stain colors. Groups welcome. Custom sizes available.”
Book a basket making class for your family.
If you are looking for a food experience, check out the tasty Ben’s Pretzels. Founded in 2004 by Ben and Elizabeth Miller. They are 3rd generation Amish bakers and they have perfected their dough recipe that makes a perfect pretzel. To date they have over 71 locations, and they have just entered into the college football arena! We enjoyed the pretzel workshop even though none of us could flip it into the perfect pretzel, like our host! We had to lay to shape. While waiting for the pretzel to bake we enjoyed the fine fare that Ben’s Pretzels had to offer.
Kathryn Lambright taught a painting class for us during the fun Vintage Craft Show held at the MEC. Taking painting classes with her son, she realized that she liked and was good at painting. Soon she started teaching art classes. Keeping it simple for the group we were able to put our own spin on this fun Christmas picture. To book a class with Kathryn, call her at 260-593-0987.
Touring!
It is fun to tour places that catch your interest. Since I write about farm toys and farm layouts, I was excited for a tour of Stone Horses. This one-of-a-kind equine artistry shop of sculpted horses are hand decorated by artists at this shop. When we were there, we even met Caroline Boydston a featured artist. She was working with Stone Horses for a month creating models that would sell to interested collectors upon completion. Caroline’s business is Whitehorse Studios.
An array of artists’ work to create these amazing collectible equine models! Open from 6:30 until 2:00, tours are offered daily.
Experience Dining in an Amish Home
Caroline Yoder of Yoder’s Homestyle Cooking offers amazing fare in her Amish home for small and large groups alike. We had the best meal of the trip at her table! Online Caroline shares “Enjoy a thresher’s meal, haystack, light lunch, or breakfast. Relax before and after your meal by taking in the beautiful scenery and fresh country air. Your delicious meal will be served in our plainly decorated dining room overlooking a lovely lake view. Cooking classes available. Reservations are required.”
To book a meal at Yoder’s Homestyle Cooking call 260-768-3078. Be sure to be flexible. If you are a small group, she may be able to fit you in with a larger group. It’s worth being flexible because the food is AMAZING!
There are many fun things to do in the Shipshewana area. These are a few of the experience gift ideas that I can recommend. I also saw a sign for a buggy guided farm tour that I would love to try next time I’m in town! Do you have any holiday experiences to share?
