Mitchell Persimmon Festival
The Mitchell Persimmon Festival is an all-ages event that began in 1947. Every last week in September, the community celebrates the persimmon fruit with tours, parades, pageants, carnival rides, vendors, and live music. Traveling in an RV is an ideal way to enjoy a few days of family-friendly revelry, so why not book a campsite near the fun? Admission is free, though you'll need to buy tickets to enjoy rides and special gatherings. The festival concludes with the Grand Parade that showcases schools, farmers, entertainers, and local organizations.
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
At the Mitchell Persimmon Festival, visitors can enjoy a broad range of activities, including contests to create the best persimmon dish. Guests can also take in: • Nightly live music • Festival and persimmon-themed food • Craft shows and contests • Carnival rides • The Annual Tri Kappa Candlelight Tour • The Persimmon Queen pageant • Car shows • 19th-century and Civil War-era historical recreations • A Grand Parade
ON-SITE AMENITIES
The Mitchell Persimmon Festival is a street event with distributed amenities, including portable restrooms and hand-washing stations on Main Street. Restrooms may also be available at the local library. Bleacher seating and picnic areas are located near the Main Street Stage, and you can also bring a lawn chair to the event.
LOCATION
The main activities at the Mitchell Persimmon Festival take place at: 527 W Main St Mitchell, IN 47446.
FAQs About RVing to Mitchell Persimmon Festival
Can you bring an RV to the Mitchell Persimmon Festival?
You can bring your RV to the Mitchell Persimmon Festival. Parking and camping are available nearby at Spring Mill State Park or a private RV park.
Are there RV amenities at the Mitchell Persimmon Festival?
The Mitchell Persimmon Festival does not provide RV-specific amenities. Restrooms and seating are available on-site.
What gear should I bring for the Mitchell Persimmon Festival?
The weather at the Mitchell Persimmon Festival can be unpredictable. Bring comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a jacket to cover your bases.
Is the Mitchell Persimmon Festival a family-friendly event?
The Mitchell Persimmon Festival provides fun for all ages. Children and seniors are encouraged to attend.
LINEUP
The Mitchell Persimmon Festival features live entertainment every evening on the Main Street stage beginning Monday, September 21st. This year's lineup includes: • Monday, September 21: Gospel Night with The Dash; • Tuesday, September 22: Burris Beez, MJHS, MHS Dance, and the Persimmon Idol competition • Wednesday, September 23: Malachi Park Band and Flatline • Thursday, September 24: Backwoods Bluegrass and Rockland Road • Friday, September 25: Vintage and Endless Summer Band • Saturday, September 26: Bloomington Jazz Orchestra, 454 Drive Band, The Dynamics
RVING AT THE EVENT
When you’re RVing to the Mitchell Persimmon Festival, you can spend the day enjoying all the food, rides, and fun, then relax at your home base. RV traveling is a great way to explore small towns, historic sites, and the beauty of nature. Whether you’re traveling alone or vacationing with a loved one, family, or friends, you can rent the perfect RV for your trip at RVshare. The Mitchell Persimmon Festival takes place on Main Street. There's no RV camping or parking onsite, but you can camp nearby at a private campground or state park. To get around, consider renting a camper van you can park anywhere. If you rent a travel trailer or a fifth wheel camper, you can leave it at your campsite and drive your tow vehicle to the festival.
Where to Camp Near the Mitchell Persimmon Festival
Although the Mitchell Persimmon Festival does not offer RV camping on-site, you’ll find plenty of campsites nearby. Spring Mill State Park: Just four miles from the festival, this campground has 187 electric sites, some with full hookups and ADA accommodations. Amenities include showers, flush toilets, and a dump station. It also features hiking trails, caves, a nature center, and the historic Pioneer Village. Martin State Forest Campground: For primitive, pet-friendly camping, settle in at this rustic park, about 16 miles west of the festival. There are 26 campsites and space to fish, watch wildlife, and explore the woodlands. You can also check out the Hoosier Woodland Arboretum. Drinking water spigots are available. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort at Lake Monroe: Located about 24 miles north of the festival, this is a great place for families to enjoy activities like wagon rides and pedal carts, waterslides, and pools. All sites feature full hookups and free Wi-Fi. Guests also have access to a ranger station, golf cart rentals, laundry rooms, showers, and much more.
RV Rental Tips for the Mitchell Persimmon Festival
For the best selection, rent your RV in Mitchell early. While you’re planning your itinerary, check out our Ultimate Guide to RV Camping in Indiana. Also, if you’re traveling for a few days or longer, our guide to the 10 Best RV Trips to Take in Indiana can help you discover a variety of destinations for nature, culture, and sports lovers. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, a group of friends, or a family, RVshare has an RV to suit every size requirement and budget. Discover the wide variety of RVs available, from Class A or Class C RVs to camper vans to travel trailers or fifth wheels. Here are a few camping tips for the Mitchell Persimmon Festival: • If you have a towed RV, you can use your towing vehicle to commute to the festival. Uber and private taxi services are available but limited, so book travel in advance. • If you’re camping at Spring Mill State Park, check for shuttle rides to the festival. • September is peak tick season in Indiana, so bring tick repellent. • Wear comfortable walking shoes and sunglasses, and bring a jacket for chilly evenings.
WHERE TO STAY
If you’d like to book a room during the Mitchell Persimmon Festival, there are several options close to the event, including: • Mitchell Inn Motel is a budget-friendly local stop with seven air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and cable, premium bedding, and access to vending machines. It’s located on the main highway, less than two miles from the festival. • Spring Haven Motel is a quiet, pet-friendly motel less than three miles from the festival. Accommodations include standard rooms with queen-size beds, connecting rooms, and family units. Amenities include plush linens, a mini-fridge, and free Wi-Fi, plus access to free RV parking and an outdoor pavilion with barbecue grills. • Spring Mill Inn is a renovated historic limestone property about three miles from the festival. Its 70+ rooms are outfitted with AC, free Wi-Fi, TVs, and more. Guests can have meals in the Millstone Dining Room, relax by the fireplace, or visit the park, game room, or gift shop. • West Baden Springs Hotel is an extraordinary resort in French Lick, about 18 miles away from the festival. Its 243 guest rooms, adjacent to a spectacular domed atrium and formal garden, feature luxury linens, terrycloth bathrobes, and free Wi-Fi. Guests can also enjoy valet parking, a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and live entertainment in the evenings.
HOW TO GET THERE
To get to the Mitchell Persimmon Festival, you can fly into the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), about 70 miles south of Mitchell. Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is about 80 miles away. Two major highways bring you right to Mitchell for the festival. If you’re coming from the north or south, hop onto Highway 37. From the east or west, get on Highway 60. Both highways pass right along the edge of town, less than a mile from the festival itself.
PARKING
The Mitchell Persimmon Festival does not have designated RV parking. Most people park off-site and drive a car or tow vehicle to get around town.
TICKETS & PRICING
Admission is free, but you'll need to pay for carnival rides and food. If you want to take the Annual Tri Kappa Candlelight Tour, tickets are available at the gate for $7 if you're an Indiana resident and $9 if you're from out of state.
WRAP UP
RVers who love charming local traditions won’t want to miss the Mitchell Persimmon Festival in Indiana. With a variety of wonderful RV parks nearby, you’ll be able to enjoy the nostalgic Midway, music, and persimmon-themed food and fun at your own pace. While you’re in the area, you can explore the nearby state parks, forests, and historic sites.
8-Day RV Itinerary for Mitchell Persimmon Festival
• Day 1: Arrival and Festival Kickoff Drive to Mitchell and park at your campsite. Once you’re set up, grab an afternoon snack and take in the festival scene. Bring cash for the Annual Tri Kappa Candlelight Tour at 4 PM, then enjoy a serving of homemade persimmon pudding before you head back to your RV. • Day 2: Enjoy a Day in Spring Mill Park On Sunday, head to Spring Mill Park to immerse yourself in nature and history. Hike one of the park’s nine trails, then explore the 1800s Pioneer Village and its water-powered gristmill. • Days 3: Immerse Yourself in the Festival Explore the arts and crafts booths and the Main Street vendor market. Stick around to watch the Junior Miss queen crownings and the 2026 Persimmon Festival Queen crowning at the Main Street Stage. End your day with uplifting music from the Dash, then head to your RV for some shut-eye. • Days 4: History Tour then Carnival Rides On Tuesday, you can tour NASA astronaut Gus Grissom’s boyhood home in Mitchell and visit the interactive Gus Grissom Memorial. The midway and carnival rides open for the first time on Tuesday evening, so when you get back to the festival, take a ride on the Ferris wheel! • Days 5: Take a Cave Tour and Enjoy Festival Treats On Wednesday, book a guided boat tour of the Twin Caves at Spring Mill State Park, then go to the Brats on the Deck Dinner at the American Legion. From there, you can go back to the festival for live music or relax at your RV. • Days 6: More Rides and Carnival Fun On Thursday, you can enjoy more carnival rides or food from the Main Street booths from 5 PM to 10 PM. • Day 7-8: Have Fun in Mitchell, Attend the Grand Parade, and Depart Take a free day to enjoy your campground. When evening falls, head back to the festival for persimmon ice cream. On Saturday, indulge in a pancake breakfast at the Masonic Lodge, then get ready for the Grand Parade Opening Ceremonies. Watch the floats and marching bands go by, then enjoy one last visit to the carnival before you pack up and go home.
Please note, this is not the official source of the event information. While we try to be as comprehensive as possible, some details may have changed since the time this article was written. Please confirm final details with the official event page.
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