The Forks of the Wabash Pioneer Festival, a celebration of Hoosier life in the mid-1800's, was started in 1976 by Jean Gernand who was a Home Economics and Family Living teacher at Huntington North High School. She wanted a festival that celebrated the Heritage of her Community. The festival was held in the field of the High School for the first three years, at that time then the festival was held for only one day. Jean had the help of Bob Diffenbaugh, a Science teacher, Mary Margaret Kelsey, Home Economics teacher and Mary Brooks to get things started. Mary Brooks' family including husband, Garl, his brother Denver and wife Benita started the Pioneer Village which now named after the Brooks family, Brooks' Pioneer Village. The festival started to grow in those three years and that is when Jean asked the community for help. Psi Iota Xi Sorority stepped in to help co-chair this event with Huntington County Junior Historical Society. In 1979 the festival was moved to Hier's Park to accommodate the growing needs of the festival. Then in 1982 the committee decided to make the festival a two day event that still continues. The festival has always had people from the community volunteer to help in some way so we have added "Friends of the Festival" as another co-sponsor.

The festival is held the fourth full weekend of September at Hier's Park (547 S. Briant Street) in Huntington, Indiana. The festival is sponsored by the Huntington County Junior Historical Society, Phi Chapter of Psi Iota Xi Sorority, and Friends of the Festival.

Proceeds from the festival are used to support local charities and historic preservation projects. The festival hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. An old-time worship service is offered at 9 a.m. Sunday before the festival opens. A full program is offered, rain or shine. We prefer the shine though!

Admission is $3 for adults; $1 for students (includes college students with an ID); 5 and under are free. Tickets are sold at the entrance gates. Ample free parking is available adjacent to the festival grounds.

In the interest of safety, no pets, bicycles, skateboards, or roller skates are allowed on the festival grounds. With the request of the State Fire Marshall there is no smoking as well due to the straw around the park.

Thank you for visiting our website and we look forward to your visit with us at the festival each year.