Backyard Adventures

BACKYARD ADVENTURES 2016 PIKE PUBLISHING 3 PLAY! INSIDE WHAT'S AROUND: 4 Gibson County Overview 5 Pike County Overview 6 Surrounding Area Overview 8 Tri-State Map 11 2016 Event Calendar 12 Just for Kicks Sports Guide 24 Dining Guide 29 Mount Carmel, Ill. 34 Antique Guide 40 Golf Guide 45 Tri-State Camping FESTIVALS: 11 Fort Branch Community Fest 13 Haubstadt Sommerfest 14 Otwell Ruritan 4th of July 14 Pike County 4-H Fair 20 Gibson County 4-H Fair 21 Owensville Watermelon Fest 22 Oakland City Sweet Corn Fest 22 Zoar Mosquito Festival 27 Labor Day Celebration 28 Golden Heritage Days 28 Winslow Festival FEATURE STORIES: 17 Interlake Recreational Area 23 George Rogers Clark Memorial 26 Children's Museum of Evansville 33 Footsteps: Historical Churches 43 Antique Tractor Shows 45 Buffalo Trace Heritage Trail 46 Walking with Abe Welcome to Backyard Adventures 2016! This extensive collection of local attractions and activities has been the premier guide to southwestern Indiana's festivals, tourist spots, and everything there is to do in summer since 2011. This is our sixth year of Backyard Adventures, and it's the biggest yet. Look inside for all the vacation information and out- ing ideas you've come to expect from Backyard Adventures, and brand-new sections every year, like our 2016 church history tour (p. 33), dining guide (p. 24) and antique guide (p. 34). Backyard Adventures focuses on the local wonders of southwest- ern Indiana, especially in Pike and Gibson counties. Almost every small town is full of hidden gems, and Backyard Adventures gives you the information you need to pick out your favorites. Whether you're trying out something new in your hometown, or you just happen to be in the area and want to experience some true local flavor, you'll more than likely be pleasantly surprised at how much there is to do around here. While our guide is centered around Pike and Gibson counties, we've got the scoop on summer fun any- where from French Lick to Mt. Carmel, Ill., to Henderson, Ky. Small-town festivals and attractions are not just a unique slice of life, they're often a vertebra in the backbone of the local economy. That means while you're having fun in the sun—eating bratwurst and homemade ice cream, watching the glow-in-the-dark parade, or shopping at the flea market—your fistful of dollars is making our community a better place, whether that's through a scholar- ship for a student, a new bench at the park, or any other number of civic endeavors. So, wherever you may travel this summer, take some time on your way out of town to stop and smell what's cooking just around the corner. There are plenty of adventures in your own backyard, and Backyard Adventures will give you a head start in your own summer journey. Look for this year's special feature stories on the Interlake Recreational Area (p. 17), George Rogers Clark Memorial (p. 23), Children's Museum of Evansville (p. 26) and Antique Tractors (p. 43) We promise you'll find something fun—maybe even something unforgettable—within the pages of the 2016 Backyard Adven- tures. There's a quilt trail to follow, plenty of hidden retreats to find your quiet place, and more fairs and fests than you can shake a walking stick at this summer—and they're closer than you might think. It 's time to Happy trails!

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