See You at Shipshewana - Summertime Fun!

Most likely, if you live in Lower Michigan or Upper Indiana, you have heard of Shipshewana. Many people have heard of this small Amish town for its spectacular Amish furniture and goods. Besides over 100 shops, there is so much to do during the summer that you almost have to stay a week!

Shipshewana is a very popular town with a population of 536 people in LaGrange County, Indiana. Despite its size though, the town brings in hundreds of people each year for numerous events. It is bound together with a Mennonite-Amish tradition of strong family values and close ties in the township. It is place that flourishes on its small town atmosphere with its quaint downtown buildings, ever-lasting family lineage, and charming park along with the occasional horse drawn buggy traveling between locations. It is definitely a location that everyone should visit just once. In fact, it is listed in the book '1,000 Places to See Before You Die' (ISBN 0-7611-0484-4) by Patricia Schultz.

When you enter into Shipshewana, your eyes automatically wonder through the streets looking at the traditional American downtown district filled with buggies and Amish-Mennonite people. After growing up in Lower Michigan I am used to this sight however those whom have not had this experience, it is truly something to remember. In fact, a foreign exchange student from Japan still talks about going to Shipshewana after her stay almost ten years ago. That one day we spent there I believe she took around two rolls of film to send back to her parents, so they would believe her that people still live the traditional way.

The best time to go to Shipshewana is definitely in the summer months. There are so many festivals and events that are held each year that the summer is the spotlight of the entire year! Here are a few of the things that I suggest when visiting Shipshewana: