One of Jackson County’s most cherished traditions will return October 21 and 22 with the 54th Fort Vallonia Days Festival in Vallonia. Here’s a guide to everything!

Plus, there will be many food vendors, and so many of your favorite craft and flea market vendors that you can’t miss!

Festival General Information

Hours: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., 10/20 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 10/21 & 10/22.

Parking: Parking at Fort Vallonia Days is free, and can be found in the fields near the festival grounds, and in fields across State Road 135. Volunteers will be directing parking, and motorists should use caution in the area as many pedestrians will be crossing State Road 135.

Festival Merchandise: Official festival merchandise may be purchased at the Joe Jackson Community Center.

Demonstrations: The festival features demonstrations that include spinning, quilting, braiding rugs, blacksmithing, and more. The Garrison House also will be open for the public to walk through. In addition to historical demonstrations, the Fort Vallonia Museum near the fort will be open.

Schedule of Events

Friday, October 20

4 to 6 p.m.: Pumpkin Decorating Contest

7 p.m.: Live music with u4ia

Saturday, October 21

9 a.m.: Mick Gray Memorial Trail Ride (State Riding Permit Required) 812-216-2135.

9 a.m.: Wes Hartley Memorial Muzzle Loading Shoot

9:30 a.m.: Little Mister & Little Miss Contest Winners announced

10:30 a.m.: Pumpkin Decorating Contest Winners announced.

11 a.m.: Southern Indiana Cloggers (Pavilion).

Noon: Live music by U4IA (Pavilion).

1 p.m.: Parade

2 p.m.: Tomahawk & Knife Throw (Fort).

2 p.m.: Live music by U4IA (Pavilion).

3 p.m.: Dancing by  TAPP’d Seymour (Pavilion).

4 p.m.: Country Kickers – Western Dancing (Pavilion).

5 p.m.: Karaoke with Tee Jay Entertainment (Pavilion).

Sunday, October 22

10 a.m.: Community Church Service (Gym). Hosted by Driftwood Christian Church.

11 a.m.: Live music by Dane Darlage

Noon: Sparkles & Spurs Country Western Dancers (Pavilion).

Noon: Team Cornhole Tournament (Fort). Registration begins at 11 a.m.

12:30 p.m.: Horseshoe Pitch (Fort). Registration begins at noon.

1 p.m.: 5K Run/Walk. Registration begins at noon.

1:30 p.m.: Brownstown Central High School Show Choir (Pavilion).

3 p.m.: Live worship music with FBC Band (Pavilion).

4 p.m.: Drawings.

Food

Many people attend Fort Vallonia Days for the excellent food vendors! Food items include famous fish sandwiches, BBQ, pizza soups, hot wings, fried rice, shish kabobs, donkey bellies, breakfast sandwiches, Cajun food, polish and Italian sausages, basked potatoes, ice cream, funnel cakes, pies, smoothies, donuts, and more.

Crafts & Flea Market

There are plenty of craft and flea market vendors to choose from at the festival, offering anything from toys and antiques, to boutiques and pottery. You’re sure to find something for everyone at Fort Vallonia Days.

Fort Vallonia Historical information

 Vallonia was settled by the French in the late 1700’s. Around 1810, tensions between Native Americans and settlers were very high. At that time General William Henry Harrison, then Governor of Indiana, ordered a fort built to protect the 90 families in the area. No pictures of the fort exist, but descriptions and specifications of the fort were preserved in public records.

In 1968, several interested men started to discuss building a replica of the Fort at local Lions Club meetings. In 1969, the first Fort Vallonia Day celebration brought 3,000 fun-seeking folks to little Vallonia. The museum was dedicated and the posts were set to swing the gates for the fort in 1972. The addition of a pavilion with a stage was built in 1985. 1991 brought the completion of the Garrison House in the center of the fort grounds. The festival has been a rich Jackson County tradition ever since!