There is something for everyone in Noble County. Whether jamming at the Tri-State Bluegrass Festival, camping, hiking, boating at Chain O' Lakes State Park, or exploring family-friendly fun at the Ligonier Marshmallow Festival, you will find your place amidst these annual Labor Day Weekend traditions in Noble County, Indiana!
Bring a tent and your favorite acoustic instrument to the Tri-State Bluegrass Festival in Kendallville
The Tri-State Bluegrass Festival is taking place from August 31st through September 3rd at the Noble County Community Fairgrounds! Join thousands of bluegrass enthusiasts! This annual Labor Day weekend festival allows RV and tent camping on the fairgrounds.
Tri-State Bluegrass Music Festival
Noble County Community Fairgrounds
580 N. Fair St., Kendallville, IN 46755
(260) 918-4790
Purchase a three-day event ticket to enjoy the festival Friday, Saturday and Sunday for just $45 per adult. Children under 15 years of age are FREE with a paid adult ticket.
Camp all weekend at the festival for $45 and extend your stay by arriving early and pay just $15/night additional. Camping opens August 24. (Camping does not include festival ticket(s), which are also required.)
Insider Tips: Thursday, Aug. 31 is "Community Night" - drive-in visitors get in free! Find daily visitor fees on the festival's website. Support the Noble County 4-H - plan to enjoy a benefit dinner Thursday evening in the Log Cabin, from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., while supplies last! Just $8 per meal!
Be rejuvenated in a small boater's paradise and hiker's haven over Labor Day weekend
Memories are made naturally at beautiful Chain O'Lakes State Park, just south of Albion in Noble County. A boater's paradise and hiker's haven, Chain O' Lakes features miles of trails and 13 lakes, nine interconnected by navigable waterways. Paddle through the chain of serene kettle lakes, hike 10 miles of forested trails, fish the electric-motors-only lakes, stay overnight in a forested, hillside family cabin, or visit the park's historic one-room schoolhouse and nature center. Other amenities include a full-service campground, camp store, canoe camp, primitive sites, beach, watercraft rentals, bike rentals, and picnic shelters.
Top Things to Do at "The Chain:"
The “9 lake challenge” is a trail of nine lakes connected by canals through the woods. The challenge comes from the lack of markers visible from a distance. Please bring your map with you to make navigating effortless. The entrances are slightly hidden from some angles; please note that other kayaks/canoes or fishermen may enter or leave via the canals around Sand Lake.
Check in to the Visit Noble County- Pints, Paddles, and Public Parks Passport Program! Check-in critical locations at the State Park and earn points to win prizes!
Visit the historic Stanley Schoolhouse.
Discover this small boater’s paradise while enjoying the natural landscape from the unique vantage point of your boat.
Hike around the glacial kettle lakes—Trail 8 offers a self-guided interpretive trail.
Fish on one of the 13 kettle lakes (come back and try ice fishing this winter!)
Join in on some good family fun during an interpretive program. (Programs are held year-round.)
Build lasting Labor Day memories with the family-friendly fun at the Ligonier Marshmallow Festival
Join the fun at the 32nd Annual Ligonier Marshmallow Festival from September 1st through 4th in historic downtown Ligonier. The 2023 parade theme is a Marshmallow Round-up!
The excitement kicks off on Friday, September 1 in Kenney Park at 5 p.m. with free kids' activities, a marshmallow roast, food trucks, live music, and fireworks at dusk.
On Saturday, September 2, the opening ceremony starts at 10 a.m. on the Main Street stage! Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the marshmallow games, car show, pedal tractor races, super-hero meet and greets, Disney princess meet and greets, a marshmallow bake-off, face painting, bingo, carnival food, rides and games, merchant booths, a bike rodeo, live music, and so much more!
Sunday, September 3 is jam-packed with a community worship service, kids' activities, carnival food, rides, games, superhero and princess meet and greets, a cornhole tournament, four free concerts, and so much more!
Monday, September 4 starts bright and early with the Ligonier Lions Club Pancake and Sausage Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Other events include merchants booths, folkloric dancing groups, bingo, cloggers, The Grand Parade, and more! For the full schedule of events, please click on the button below.
