The 15th annual Autumn on the River festival has snuck up on me this year. It seems really early this time, but it's on the third weekend of October, as always.
This weekend is Harvest Homecoming down in New Albany but NEXT weekend (Saturday and Sunday, October 18th & 19th, 2008) is the perfect occasion to take a step back in time to visit a beautiful little riverside community in eastern Clark County, Indiana for their annual crafts festival.
Bethlehem is a little off the beaten path, but it's easy to find. Take Highway 62 from Jeffersonville about 20 miles to New Washington (they have a stop light AND a Dollar General store now!). Turn right on "Main Street", which is also New Washington/Bethlehem Road. Go 8 miles, down the big hill and into the "bottoms", which puts you right smack dab in the middle of downtown Bethlehem, population about 500 people.
MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/1-mPnnTb3lrmaeDAuHkvDA
There are no stores in Bethlehem, no mini-marts, no gas stations, just a couple of antique stores, a mini-home (a private "nursing home" in a residence), a bed and breakfast and a Post Office. You can't miss the old schoolhouse or the festival on the school grounds where you'll find tons of REAL crafts and above-average festival foods from local FFAs, churches, etc.
"Tour the restored 1927 schoolhouse, historic tours by tram, 1812 reenactments, arts and crafts, food to suit the most discriminating taste buds." People come from several surrounding states to visit this event. It's one of Southern Indiana's best kept secrets.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday Noon - 5 p.m.
Special events - Auction - Saturday 10:00 a.m., Parade - Saturday 2:30 p.m., Veterans honored - Saturday 2:00 p.m.
No admission charge; contact festival organizers David Abbott [502-931-4669] or Andrea Oles [317-491-4146] for more information.
Saturday October 18:
10:00 a.m. Benefit Auction - New, used and antique items; Gift Certificates
12:00 p.m. Star Dedication near the school
12:00 p.m. Corn Toss Contest
12:00 - 12:45 p.m. Entertainment
12:30 p.m. Dog Show - 3rd Annual
1:15 - 2:00 p.m. Entertainment -
2:00 p.m. Veterans Honored
2:30 p.m. Parade
3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Entertainment
Sunday October 19:
12:00 p.m. Horse Shoe Contest
12:00 - 12:30 p.m. Entertainment - Gospel
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Entertainment - Radio Disney
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Entertainment
