As a guest of Visit Shipshewana, Brandy Gleason of GleasonFamilyAdventure.com will visit Shipshewana, Indiana, from Friday to Sunday, January 17 to 19. She will attend the 18th Shipshewana Ice Festival. The event features an ice sculpting contest and a Chili Cook-Off. Download this map to find the enchanting ice sculptures.
Purchase a $20 Ice Festival Pin to sample the Chili Cook-Off Tasting and Wing Sauce Competition. The event starts with the Wing Sauce Competition from 4-6 p.m. on Friday. Several Shipshewana stores will be open for extended hours on Friday night. Use the pin for store specials through January 2025. The Chili Cook-Off begins at 11 a.m. and lasts to sell out on Saturday. Both will be held at the Smokehouse Grills & Supply store on Morton Street.
Gleason, a frequent visitor to Shipshewana, has a deep appreciation for the town’s charm and vibrant community. Her attendance at the 2024 Midwest Travel Network Conference in Shipshewana provided valuable insights into Shipshewana’s rich culture, exceptional visitor amenities, and warm hospitality.
While in the region, Gleason will also explore the captivating museums of LaGrange County, deepening her understanding of the area’s history and heritage.
About Brandy Gleason:
Brandy Gleason of Gleason Media is a passionate travel enthusiast, published author, and engaging storyteller. She is the creative force behind the influential website GleasonFamilyAdventure.com. Her thriving social media communities include Ohio Road Trips and Indiana Road Trips. She authored popular travel guides, including 100 Things to Do in Ohio Before You Die.
Gleason has built a loyal following of over 1 million people. Gleason is an At-Large Board Member for the Ohio Travel Association, a Certified Tourism Ambassador, Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy graduate, and Experience Columbus Insider.
About Shipshewana:
Shipshewana feels timeless. Listen closely for the clip-clop of horses’ hooves followed by the soft susurrus of buggy wheels on the pavement as a family dressed in plain Amish clothing rides to their destination. Their exquisite craftsmanship and respect for their traditions inform every aspect of their lives. Yet visitors enjoy all the 21st-century amenities. Visiting Shipshewana (known as “Shipshe” to the locals) is a trip to an earlier time and another culture. It’s like going to another country within your own. Attractions include:
- Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market: One of the Midwest’s largest flea markets, offering goods from antiques and crafts to food.
- Blue Gate Theatre: A renowned performing arts center hosting various shows, including musicals, concerts, and family entertainment.
- Menno-Hof: An interactive museum showcasing the history and culture of the Mennonite people.
- Amish Country Charm: Enjoy scenic buggy rides, visit local shops and restaurants, and experience the peaceful Amish lifestyle.
About LaGrange:
LaGrange, Indiana, 15 minutes east of Shipshewana, offers a variety of museums that delve into local history and culture:
- The Barns at Napanee: This 80-acre farm provides historic buildings, farm animals, and live musical theater.
- LaGrange County Historical Society Museum: Explores the county’s past local industries, agriculture, and the lives of early settlers.
Don’t miss out! Celebrate winter with Brandy Gleason in Shipshewana, LaGrange County, Indiana.
