Experience the Beauty of Fall in Washington County!

It’s the perfect time to explore all the things Washington County has to offer! Visit our annual Old Settlers Days festival in the Pioneer Village on the grounds of the John Hay Center. Carve a pumpkin and bring the little ones out for a Trick-or-Treating or take a walk or bicycle ride along the Monon Trail, feel the roar of race cars, or find the latest fashions at a local boutique.
 

‍Old Settlers Days - October 4th & 5th

‍Visit the grounds of the John Hay Center in Salem, Indiana for a weekend celebrating our heritage. 

This celebration started in 1875 as a way to engage with the pioneers who established our county, and remember the hard work put in to grow our little town into what it is today.

Every year since volunteers have worked hard to continue that spirit through bringing our community together. Come stroll through history in our Pioneer Village and learn something new in our museums!

Enjoy live local music on the porch of the John Hay House!

Shop from over 40 local craft and food vendors!

Take a tour of our iconic East Market Street with our Historic Brick Street Walking Tours, and more!

The festival will be going on Saturday, October 4th and Sunday, October 5th from 10am to 4pm both days.

To learn more about specific events and attractions, follow the Old Settlers Days at the John Hay Center Facebook page or click on the schedule of events button below. 

Bark for Life - October 4th

‍Take a walk with your furry friend and play the games and activities along the Salem Walking Trail. Donate to Bark for Life and help fight cancer with your furry friend.

‍Cruise'N on the Salem Square - October 10th

‍‍Local car enthusiasts will have their cars and trucks on display on the Salem square beginning at 5:00pm. Visit the historic Salem Square for dinner and enjoy the classic cars and trucks, hot rods and more.

‍Fast and Furriest 5K Run/Walk - October 11th

‍Run, walk, or strut your stuff in support of the animals!

Join us for a morning of fun, fitness, and furry friends as we raise funds for the care and adoption of animals at the Humane Society of Washington County.

Leashed dogs are welcome!

Bring your well-behaved pup and enjoy the scenic trail together.

All proceeds benefit the animals in care of the Humane Society.

Help us make a difference—one paw at a time!

Location

Lake Salinda Veteran's Trail

Entry Fee - $30

Time

Registration - 9:30am

Race - 10:00am

‍October Bash & Community Yard Sale - October 11th

Join Titan Tint & Graphics for the 3rd Annual October Bash and Yard Sale at their location on South Main Street in Salem. 

Enjoy a free family fun day full of activities.

Y‍ard Sale - 9:00am - 3:00pm

October Bash - 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Halloween Parade - 7:00pm

October Bash

Bounce house

Car Bash ( bust up a car with a sledge hammer)

Pumpkin Bash (for the little ones)

Decorate your own cookie station

Make your own Smore Station

Face Painting

Carmel Apples and Apple Cider

Animal Balloons

Pumpkin painting station

And more.

Local businesses are running the stations, and donating the supplies for each station.

So come on out and join the fun. The best part is it’s all free to the public. We hope to see everyone there

Community Yard Sale

We will be organizing a huge yard sale here at our shop its free to set up and we have 40 table slots available. Venders will be able to set up on Friday Oct 10th from 8:00A.M-6:30P.M or Saturday morning at 8:00 before the yard sale opens at 9:00 We will be hosting this event with our October Bash which is a free family event.

Come set up and sell your items, or come to buy from the vendors.

Call 812-570-0207 for questions and info

Event Location

805 South Main Street, Salem Indiana

‍10th Annual Halloween Parade - October 11th

Presented & Organized by Titan Tint & Graphics.

This is our 10th year since we started the Halloween parade. We have decided to move it up a couple weekends instead of the weekend before halloween as we have done the past 9 years. We have taken in consideration that the weeklend before halloween has so many events going on, that it's hard for parents to enjoy and attend every event, it's hard on the business and sponsors to decide which event they want to attend and which ones they won't get to. By moving the parade we hope this helps with attendence at all the events our community has to offer the last three weekends in October. We truly appreciate all who enters the parade as well as everyone who comes to watch and make all this possible.

No need for registration. Just come out the day of and get set up to be in it. The parade is free to enter but we do accept donations as well as sponsorships for the banner that leads the parade. All proceeds go to Christmas Assistance Program to help children in our community have a great Christmas.

Anyone can enter and be anything you want to be, we just ask that it be family friendly. You can walk the parade, ride in it, drive in it, bike, skate, go kart, horses, you name it and the crazier the better for everyone.

We will be meeting at Titan Tint & Graphics located at 805 S. Main Street Salem IN. We are located in the Ruler shopping complex behind AutoZone.

The parade start time is 7:00 to enter the parade you will need to be in line by 6:00. You don't have to be ready or decorated by then but still need to be in line by then.

Trophy judging is at 6:00 Trophies will be awarded to 1st place in Business, Performing, Bikes/UTV, Horses, Civic, Walking, Tractors, Best Decorated Float, Best Dressed in Parade, Best Overall Float. This year in addtion to the " best dressed spectator" trophy that we hand out during the parade we will also be adding a few more spectator trophies. Best Dressed Family, Most Creative Costume and Scariest Costume.

For more information on the parade please call Titan at 812-570-0207. We hope to see everyone there.

3‍7th Annual Halloween 200 Weekend at the Speedway - October 18th

The 37th Annual Halloween 200 Weekend, will take place on Saturday, October 18th, and Sunday October 19th. On Saturday, Halloween 200 Street Stocks will have open practice. The 4th Annual Spooky 200 for the Mike’s Mufflers & Brakes Crown Vic Big Track Series will take place on Saturday along with racing action from the Salem Super Cars and Crown Vic Future Stars. Sunday will be headlined by the 37th Annual Halloween 200 along with support racing action from Crown Vic Short Track Series and Crown Vic Figure 8 Series. There will be an open practice for all divisions on Friday, October 18th.

‍Born Fall Open House - October 18th

Oktoberfest at Beck's Mill - October 25th

Oktoberfest, celebrating the Beck German Heritage. Featuring Jason Hardin’s campfire beans, flea & craft vendors. Music & many demonstrators at the mill. Music all day, spinning, knitting, crocheting, children crafts with Dusty, tomahawk throwing demonstrations.

Parking lot activities:

Featuring Jason Hardin’s campfire beans, Cornmeal bake off drop off at 11 am to 11:45 am. Entry must contain at least 1/2 cup of Becks Mill cornmeal (white or yellow), inc recipe and in a non returnable dish. Prize will be given. Cornmeal can be purchased at yhr mill or Nana’s This n That Shop on the square. Leftovers will be served with the campfire beans. Flea & craft vendors. Beck’s Mill Moonshine History by Alan Bishop

To be a vendor: contact Judy 812-896-3447

‍Pumpkin Walk - October 25th

‍Trick or Treat Trail - October 25th

‍Boo Bash - October 25th

Washington Co Farmers Market - Saturday Mornings

Discover small-town charm and big flavor at the Washington County Farmers Market—an authentic, local shopping experience happening every Saturday from May through early October in Salem, Indiana.

🕣 Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Washington County Justice Center, 801 S. Jackson St, Salem, IN