story by GLENDA WINDERS
If you supposed that fun in Amish country would end when winter began, the folks in Shipshewana have a very nice surprise in store for you. They invite you to live out your winter dreams by visiting many of the same places and activities you can explore in warmer months and taking part in events that only happen when it’s cold outside.
Take the Shipshewana Ice-Festival, for example. Come on Jan. 17, when professional ice-carvers will be in town to create breathtaking designs beginning at 10 a.m. A select few will return to compete for prizes the following day.
To warm you up during the festival the Icy & Spicy Wing Sauce Competition will be happening on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 each. A better idea, however, is to buy the $20 Ice Pin, which gets you into both the wing competition and the Chili Cook-off the next day. It also entitles you to savings of up to 30% at participating retailers until the end of January. Many stores will remain open late on Friday so that you come in and browse.
And speaking of shopping, Feb. 1 is when the Pajama Day Sales begin. This annual tradition will see shops opening at 6 a.m. or before to welcome their pajama-clad customers with big-money-off sales.
Another February possibility is the Home and Yard Show, where you can check out the latest innovations in grills and find out what’s new in home improvements from 120 local vendors. The $5 ticket makes you eligible for $20,000 in giveaways, too. If you’re interested in camping next summer, the Michiana Camping and RV Show is this month, too.
Immersing yourself in Amish country can happen any time of the year, and the Menno-Hof Museum is an excellent place to start exploring. Here you’ll find interactive exhibits that explain the Amish way of life before you begin the Off the Beaten Path Trail to visit 120 Amish cottage businesses.
Savor delicious Amish chicken, noodles and pies in private homes or restaurants such as the Blue Gate, where you can also catch live a musical show. Lodging is available at the Blue Gate Garden Inn, too. Other options, such as the Van Buren Hotel and the Farmstead Inn and Conference Center, offer special winter rates.
March brings Maple Syrup Days, when you can watch syrup being made and learn how it was done in the past. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride into the woods to find out how the trees are tapped and then tuck into some all-you-can-eat pancakes. These and other activities for everyone to enjoy will make for a great way to wrap up the season.
For more information: visitshipshewana.org
