Backyard Adventures

BACKYARD ADVENTURES 2014 Pike Publishing 3 This year's Backyard Adventures will help keep you up-to-date on fun ac- tivities planned from now until the end of the year right here in the Tri- State. From festivals to flea markets to the county fair, and everything in between, you'll find it all in Gibson and Pike counties. Nestled right here in Southern Indiana, you'll find small town communities showing off their deep roots, a strong sense of pride and a knack for having fun during our area's busiest time of the year—Summer! Our annual summer guide provides area residents, travelers and out- of-town folks with all they need to know about what to see and do during their visit to our neck of the woods. So pack up the sunscreen, snacks and water bottles, and have yourself a terrific fun-filled summer. The guide focuses on events in Gibson and Pike counties, like the Haubstadt Sommerfest, Otwell's Independence Celebration and the wildly popular Zoar Mosquito Fes- tival to name a few, but we've also went beyond our borders and listed events in nearby places like Evans- ville, Vincennes, Jasper, Mount Carm- el, Ill., and Henderson, Ky. Most have something unique they do, whether it is the "stationary parade" at the Zoar Mosquito Fest or the night time light-up parade after dark in Win- slow. These festivals often serve as the main fundraiser for the community's civic organization, which is turn- ing hot dogs into dollars, which are then funneled right back into our communities in the form of scholar- ships, park improvements and civic endeavors. So instead of feeding your gas tank at the rate of nearly $4 a gallon this summer, feed your sense of adven- ture and go local—try out a local festival you have never heard of be- fore, or maybe one you have always talked about going to, but just never got around to it. Make the summer of 2014 the year you check another item off your bucket list. Or just pick one that sounds neat and set out on an adventure. Our Backyard Adventures guide will tell you about all the unique inex- pensive festivals and attractions right here in southern Indiana. We promise you will find something that sounds like fun in this guide. Whether it is following a quilt block trail, spending a couple peaceful nights at a hidden retreat, or seeing and being able to touch a fighter jet or WWII tank, we guarantee there is something fun you probably didn't realize was in your backyard. Happy Summer! insiDe FeATuRes What's around: 4 Gibson County Overview 4 Pike County Overview 6 Surrounding Area Overview 8 Tri-State Map 11 2014 Event Calendar 30 Tri-State Golf 30 Tri-State Camping 27 Online Resources Festivals: 11 Fort Branch Community Fest 11 Haubstadt Sommerfest 13 Otwell Ruritan 4th of July 14 Gibson County 4-H Fair 14 Pike County 4-H Fair 14 Owensville Watermelon Fest 19 Zoar Mosquito Festival 19 Oakland City Sweet Corn Fest 22 Golden Heritage Days 22 Winslow Community Fest 17 Red Skelton Museum of Comedy A museum honoring America's Comedian Red Skelton opened last summer at Vincennes University. 21 Prides Creek Disc Golf Pike County's newest attraction, an 18- hole disc golf course at Prides Creek Golf Course. 24 Toyota Visitors Center See the history of the Toyota Corporation, tour the plant, and learn how Toyota vehicles are made. 29 Lyles Station Historic Site One of the last remaining African-American settlements in the Hoosier state. l e t t h e a d v e n t u r e b e g i n

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