Steuben County Blog
Find fun activities, latest updates, news, events, and more here on our blog. With more than 101 natural lakes and Indiana’s most beautiful state park, Steuben County, Indiana is a recreational wonderland.
Jack Gibson Memorial Scholarship Polar Bear Plunge
Are you brave enough to take the plunge? The annual Jack Gibson Memorial Scholarship Polar Bear Plunge is set for Tuesday, Dec. 31 at the public beach on Hamilton Lake. Sponsored by the Hamilton Lions Club, the icy dip begins at 2 p.m. There’s no cost to participate but donations benefit the scholarship fund for local students.
OLD TIME HORSE-DRAWN CHRISTMAS PARADE NOV.30
More than 40 horse-drawn wagons decorated for Christmas parade through the streets of Hamilton the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This beloved tradition, now in its 25th year, begins at 6 p.m.
Seaplane Fly-In
Sponsored by the Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association, the fly-in attracts approximately 20 pilots from the Midwest. They fly in from Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois (and sometimes additional states) for the one-day event.
INDIANA RAIL EXPERIENCE ADDS NEW TRIPS IN 2024
Make a new holiday tradition in northeast Indiana! The Indiana Christmas Train departs Pleasant Lake for a magical 1.5-hour trip through the winter countryside with Saint Nick aboard.
11th ANNUAL CRUISE TO THE MONUMENT
The Cruise to the Monument in downtown Angola offers something for everyone! If you’re a car enthusiast, you will love walking around the downtown and checking out the variety of classic cars. From collector cars to street rods and vintage cars, you’ll see it all on Wednesday, Sept. 18 between 5 and 8 p.m.
EXPLORE POKAGON STATE PARK VIA HORSEBACK
Explore Pokagon State Park from a different vantage point. The saddle barn offers guided horseback trail rides Friday-Sunday through Memorial Day. The first trail ride departs at 10 a.m. while the last trip out leaves the saddle barn at 5 p.m.
STEUBEN ARTS SCENE HOSTS YOUTH CLASSES
The Steuben Arts Scene is a group of community-minded residents who love art and desire to inspire, nurture and enrich lives through the arts. Steuben Arts Scene is hosting a variety of youth classes throughout 2024.
FALL INTO SAVINGS
Fall In Love with Indiana State Park Inns Special
Crisp air and beautiful fall leaves combine to make Pokagon State Park a great destination this autumn. Stay any two consecutive nights at the lakefront Potawatomi Inn (Sunday through Thursday) and save 25% on the room rate. This special is valid Sept. 8-Nov. 26, 2024. It’s not valid with any other offer or with group bookings. Blackout dates apply.
Old time horse-drawn Christmas parade Nov.25
More than 40 horse-drawn wagons decorated for Christmas parade through the streets of Hamilton the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This beloved tradition, now in its 24th year, begins at 6 p.m.
Shop the boutiques in Steuben County
You can find it all when you shop Steuben County’s boutiques. Spend the afternoon discovering the various boutiques on and around the public square in downtown Angola. You’ll find plants, home decor, cosmetics, clothing, candles, jewelry, bath bombs and delicious freshly-baked cookies. Throughout Angola there’s additional clothing and home decor stores, as well as a salt room and pottery studio. There’s even a boutique focusing exclusively on lake-themed items. Scattered throughout Fremont and Hamilton you’ll find a few specialty stores selling home decor, glassware and more. Grab your friends and enjoy a day of boutique shopping in Steuben County!
POKAGON STATE PARK 90 YEARS TRADITION
A tradition born nearly 90 years ago continues to this day at Pokagon State Park in Angola. A ride down the 1,780-foot toboggan has delighted young and old alike for decades. The dual-lane tracks are refrigerated, so it doesn’t even need snow to go! Opening day is Friday, Nov. 24. Normal operating hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with extended weekday hours during winter break.
Steuben Arts Scene Holiday Popup Gallery Now Open
The Gallery features approximately 150 items including paintings, pottery, wooden items, jewelry and glass artwork. This is the second year Steuben Arts Scene has hosted the holiday popup. Steuben Arts Scene provides artistic opportunities for everyone through exhibits, classes, lectures and special events.
THE T. FURTH CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS GIVES ARTISTS A PLACE TO THRIVE
The Ryan Concert Hall at the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts is the site for many upcoming concerts, plays and performances. Built on the edge of the Trine University campus in Angola, the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts originally was a church that underwent a $7.8 million renovation to transform into the beautiful facility we have today.
EXPERIENCE FALL FAMILY FUN ON THE FARM AT ANGOLA’S RIDENOUR ACRES!
You’ll find plenty to do during your afternoon of fun at Ridenour Acres, which is open Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 29. Enter the 11-acre corn maze and have fun at every twist and turn finding your way out. Bring the kids to the petting zoo from nearby Double H Farms.
POKAGON STATE PARK/TRINE STATE RECREATION AREA HIKING TRAILS
Ranging from easy to moderate to rugged, Pokagon State Park’s nine hiking trails give you a chance to hear the leaves crunching underfoot in the 1,260-acre park. The shortest of the nine trails is 7/10 of a mile while two measure at just more than two miles. Many of the trails connect at some point, so it’s easy to extend your walk, especially on those beautiful fall days.
Steuben County Farmers’ Market: It’s About Community
If you love to cook or love to eat (which is just about everyone), you’ve probably visited your local farmers’ market. Buying there not only helps to ensure the freshness of your food, but it can give you first-hand knowledge of the people who raised, planted, and cultivated it.
ELEMENTO: AN ECLECTIC AND UNIQUE SHOP THAT SUPPORTS COMMUNITY
Eclectic is a good word to describe Elemento. Immediately upon entering their Italianate historic building, is a large table filled with an array of polished stones and crystals, sorted by kind, in acrylic boxes and glass bowls. The shop is scented by a small tower of bundled herbs, known as smudge sticks, and a table full of jars containing a variety of incense, which doesn’t overwhelm
GOLDEN GREEN SOAP COMPANY: ARTISAN HAND-CRAFTED SOAPS AND BATH PRODUCTS
The shop’s entry isn’t a traditional shop entrance and doesn’t visually jump out at you. As in many historic downtowns, you sometimes find “secret” places that even local residents don’t know about. Luckily the shop has a large picture window indicating that you are in the right place and off-street parking is located directly in front of the location and a few feet north on the Public Square. There is also a sign outside of Elemento to lead you in the right direction.
Tom’s Donuts is the official Donut Capital of the World!
In 2022, on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, the Lake James location set a Guinness World Record for the most freshly baked donuts sold in eight hours. When the day was over, Tom’s Donuts sold 8,558 donuts. Hundreds of people from all over the Midwest contributed to this historic day by purchasing bags and boxes of freshly-made donuts.
Through the Years with the Wisels
When you walk inside Through the Years, you will likely be greeted by Leroy and Irene Wisel. Leroy and Irene will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in 2023. They married right after they graduated from high school and began buying and selling antiques. Leroy and Irene have always enjoyed looking for the best in quality antique furniture and other items.
The Steuben Arts Scene
iThe Steuben Arts Scene is offering a variety of classes through early July to help inspire, nurture and enrich lives through the arts.
Each class is $10 and is held at the lower level of Commons Hall, 501 N. John St., Angola.
Then and Now Antiques offers the finest treasures
If you enjoy antiquing as much as I do, you’ll love the antique shops in Steuben County, Indiana. I’ll be visiting and sharing some of the finest antique treasures in our area. I’m starting with Then and Now Antiques Inc. located in downtown Angola. It features three floors of antiques, collectibles and accessories.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Steuben County Indiana
Forget the big cities this New Year’s Eve and celebrate in style in Steuben County, Indiana. This northeast Indiana county has plenty of amazing places to ring in the new year, with something for everyone. From a lakefront hotel to unique restaurants, there is no shortage of ways to bring in 2023 with a bang. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Steuben County.
The annual Jack Gibson Memorial Scholarship Polar Bear Plunge
is set for Saturday, Dec. 31 at the public beach on Hamilton Lake.
Sponsored by the Hamilton Lions Club, the icy dip begins at 2 p.m.
There’s no cost to participate but donations benefit the scholarship fund for local students.
Pokagon State Park
The Potawatomi Inn & Cabins offers a unique and historical place to stay while you’re visiting the park, and they offer plenty of amenities for families, including a playground and a game room.
Pokagon State Park is the perfect destination for a family vacation. This park offers plenty of trails for hiking and biking, as well as opportunities for camping and fishing. The park is also home to several historical sites. In addition to all these great features, Pokagon State Park is located just a short drive from Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and South Bend, making it the perfect weekend getaway spot!
The Steuben Arts Scene Holiday Art
The Steuben Arts Scene Holiday Art Experience features paintings, ceramics, metalwork and woodworking for your gift-gifting needs. Original works from 13 artists from Indiana, Michigan and Ohio are displayed through the shop.
The art experience is open Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 7 p.m. through Dec. 22.
It’s located in the former Out of the Woods Florist, 1601 N. Wayne St., Angola.
Fall Regional Railroad Experiences in Steuben County
American History Train and Happy Hour Train tickets can be purchased here.
Bird Song Park – Downtown Angola, Indiana
If you’re looking for a great place to start your day exploring Angola, Bird Song Park is the perfect spot. Located at the corner of Maumee and Martha streets, just one block east of the Soldiers’ Monument, the park features Indiana native plants that make up a pollinator garden.
Pokagon State Park: A Beautiful Indiana Destination
The Potawatomi Inn & Cabins offers a unique and historical place to stay while you’re visiting the park, and they offer plenty of amenities for families, including a playground and a game room.
Antique Boat Show
Fun attraction and activities are never in short supply in Steuben County! An event worth marking your calendar for is the Lake James Antique and Classic Boat Show Saturday, July 31.
Steuben County Farmers Market
The Steuben County Farmers Market is the perfect place to find local, fresh produce and homemade craft items. The market features a wide variety of vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, handcrafted jewelry, and much more
Public Lakes and Beaches in Steuben County
Steuben County is home to six beautiful beaches, all of which are open to the public. Beachgoers can find a variety of activities to enjoy, including swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and hiking
Fort Wayne Philharmonic Patriotic Pops Concert is Coming to Pokagon State Park
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic presents their Patriotic Pops Concert at Pokagon State Park, which is a can’t-miss event for music lovers and patriots alike.
Indiana’s premier hot air balloon competition returns to Angola
Angola Balloons Aloft 2022 features 35 hot air balloons, including five special shape balloons. Admission and parking are free, thanks to the generosity of our many sponsors.
Vacation at Potawatomi Inn
In addition to rooms at the Potawatomi Inn on the shores of Lake James in Angola, Indiana, you also can stay overnight at cabin suites and historic cabins year-round furnished with a mini refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot and television.