November 15, 2011

For Immediate Release

Shipshewana, Indiana Celebrates the Season with a Slew of Christmas Events

Shipshewana has started a party that lasts all the way through the New Year.

On November 12, local merchants and residents kicked things off by hosting 4,000 guests for a light parade, carols sung throughout town, a live Nativity scene, and the lighting of a 50-foot tree in front of Blue Gate Restaurant.

This small Amish town big on hospitality offers other events throughout the season. From shopping and Santa to music and food, many other festivities are occurring throughout the seven-week period:

November 19: Chocolate Day

Guests begin by purchasing a limited edition keepsake box at Aunt Millie's Candy & Nuts at the Davis Mercantile. They then will visit each Chocolate Walk merchant where they will receive delectable chocolate confections to fill their box. As an added bonus, those chocolates will be hand-dipped and custom-made by several candy-makers right in Shipshewana.

November 29: Wana Night Out

On Tuesday from 2-8, most of the Shipshewana boutiques and stores remain open late so shoppers can enjoy a relaxed evening of browsing as well as special discounts offered during this time. For a unique hometown treat, try shopping at Lotions and Potions where custom skin care fragrances are created. Another stop could be at American Country, whose many hand-made items have been featured on the cover of Country Sampler numerous times. Of the over 100 shops, a special store for the guys is The Hitching Post, home of big and small tractors, sports memorabilia, and nostalgic items men will be sure to love.

Musical Events at the Blue Gate Theater

For a couple of hours on December 2 and 3, the sounds of Christmas will fill the air when five accomplished pianists take the stage at Blue Gate Theater at the Grand Piano Christmas Extravaganza.

Kim Collingsworth, Stan Whitmire, Tim Parton, and the Hayes Sisters, all extraordinary in his or her own right, will share the spotlight, joining together to play five grand pianos, complete with lighting, humor, and most of all, holiday songs that lift the spirit and bring joy to the world.

Plus, favorite guest of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, and Gaither Homecoming Vocalist TaRanda Greene, will wow the audiences with stunning performances.

From December 7-17, the Rick Webb family presents The Glory and Majesty of Christmas. These former Disney performers, attired in Victorian-era clothing, will first entertain by performing Christmas song in tight harmony. Then, with great pageantry, they share the traditional Christmas story by re-creating the birth of Jesus.

December 9-10: Kid's Day

This weekend holds special events for the young and the young-at-heart.

Kids can journey through the Davis Mercantile by first visiting Head Over Heels and picking up a special passport. Their voyage will take them in stores listed on the passport, where they will receive a stamp. Once the passport is completed at the end of the adventure, kids are eligible to enter a grand prize drawing.

At the Yoder's Red Barn Shoppes, a scavenger hunt begins at J. Farvers as well, taking children through the dozen or so shops in this location. A story time is also held every hour telling The True Night Before Christmas.

No kid's weekend would be complete without a visit from St. Nick himself. Santa arrives at the Town Center where he will be hearing Christmas toy requests from 1 to 4 pm. Kids can also decorate cookies, create a craft, and sing their favorite Christmas tunes.

December 28-30: Shipshewana Ice Festival

After Christmas but while out-of-town family and friends linger, everyone can enjoy part or all of a three-day event that was featured in USA Today in 2008.

The Shipshewana Ice Festival showcases highest concentration of large ice sculptures (with 10 blocks of ice or more used) between Indiana and Alaska.

Professional carvers begin early on Wednesday by carving their ice blocks, working well into the early evening when the sculptures finally reach completion.

On Thursday, the same carvers show off their skills in a carving competition. The public is also invited to get involved with a snowman-building contest. If Mother Nature hasn't provided the snow, a snowmaking machine will fulfill the need.

Then on Friday, snowmobile races and a chili cook-off with 10 or more local chefs will be held at the Town Center. In the past, the snowmobile races have run into the evening hours and gather a large crowd of observers.

As an added bonus, the Shipshewana Ice Festival offers a collector's item in a commemorative pin created by a local high school student. This pin enables shoppers to receive special discounts through the end of January.

New Year's Eve Celebration at the Blue Gate Restaurant & Theater

The streak of seasonal events culminates in a December 31 family event when comedian Dennis Swanberg takes the stage at the Blue Gate Theater.

Swanberg impersonates over twenty famous people, including his favorite and first, Barney Fife; together with his side-splitting stories about family and tales from the funny side of church, over 250,000 people enjoy live performances annually, and a million more viewers watching his television shows, "Swan's Place" and "The Dennis Swanberg Show."

Shipshewana, a small town in Northern Indiana that embraces traditional family values, is best known for its large Amish community, the third largest in America.

Come visit this area that has become known as a "World Class Destination."

For more information on this and other events and photos

Contact:  Beth Thornburg

(800) 254-8090

www.VisitShipshewana.org

Email: beth@LaGrangeCountyCVB.org

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The LaGrange County Convention and Visitor's Bureau is the official agency for tourism marketing, planning and development in LaGrange County, Indiana. If you have any questions about LaGrange County or would like more information about Shipshewana and other LaGrange County attractions, please go online to www.VisitShipshewana.org or call (800) 254-8090.