Celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas in Mansfield Village

MANSFIELD -- Escape to Parke County for the Covered Bridge Christmas celebration. Shoppers can skip the crowded malls for old fashioned gifts and a celebration of the holiday season in Mansfield Village.

The annual festival is held over from today through Sunday and Dec. 4 through 6. Hours for the event are Friday night from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The village shoppes will be open with delicious foods available both weekends. More than 30 booths are in the Red Barn downtown with other vendors set up throughout town. Christmas carolers will be strolling the streets.

Its a magical time of year as thousands of lights decorate the buildings in the tiny village located on the banks of Big Raccoon Creek.

Bring the children for holiday activities they will all enjoy. On the second weekend, Santa will be available for pictures from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, plus from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Santa's Secret Shop will be open during the entire festival for kids to shop for reasonably priced gifts for parents, siblings and other members of the family. A Christmas chocolate walk will begin at the Mansfield Village Welcome Center downtown both weekends. The chocolate walk is a free event for all children 12 and under.

Delicious fudge and homemade food are located at Fox's Overlook downtown. This is also the location for holiday family and pet photos by Donna Clearwater (taken with Santa and his sleigh all day on Nov. 28 and 29).

Shoppers can also choose the perfect live cut Christmas tree to take home from Fox's Overlook. The Mansfield Village Welcome Center offers a great line of gift ideas for all the people on every list. Stop in the second weekend for a personalized gift by Lettuce Paint artist Cindi Lewis.

Take a short drive over to Parke County to drive through the lighted village, stop at the shoppes & vendors in town and enjoy your favorite foods. For more information, call 344-1889 or 653-3049.

Mansfield is located in southern Parke County, six miles south of Highway 36, just off the east side of Highway 59. Mansfield is just north of Brazil on State Road 59.