Annual celebration of the Vernon Sassafras Tea Festival and Civil War Living History. We're preparing the Sassafras roots so there'll be delicious tea and the festival schedule is full of exciting events.

Join the Jennings County Historical Society for the 61st Annual Sassafras Tea Festival and Civil War Living History event. The historical society serves the community with multiple arts and history related programs throughout the year. First person interpreters and artisans in the old time arts bring thousands of visitors to Jennings County during the Sassafras Tea Festival -Civil War Living History and other society sponsored events. The Indiana Blacksmith Association pounds rough iron into amazing pieces of art in the working blacksmith shop. The museum houses thousands of artifacts depicting the evolution of Jennings County. Community partnerships, event sponsorships, mini grants and donations help the society keep these fine Jennings County traditions going.

Schedule:

Saturday, April 22nd, 2023

8:00am: Spring Tonic Run at 29 Washington St.—Register at the Vernon Gym on top of hill. Click Here for Registration
9am-5pm: Visit all of the Civil War Encampments. Around the square, Courthouse Lawn, historic log cabin on South Brown Street and the green space across from the museum. Talk with the re enactors, visit the working blacksmith shop, wood carvers, buy homemade pies at the bake sale, enjoy free sassafras tea and cookies, take the Underground Railroad Tour, , learn the art of making pottery by award winning artist, Karen Chilman, ride the horse drawn carriage and much more!
9am-5pm: Visit Lew Wallace, Abe Lincoln, Ollie P. Morgan, Hagerman Tripp and other first person interpreters around the museum!
9:00am-5:00pm: Demonstrations in the old time arts , music throughout the day! Weaving demonstrations by Amber Fields and Susan Harding.
10:30am-4pm: Carriage rides around the square (freewill donation)
10am-5pm: Hot meals served cafeteria style inside the museum. Served by the Jennings County High School Culinary Students
10:00am: Underground Railroad Tour (meet in front of museum)
10:30am: Pottery making by award winning Artist, Karen Chilman., visit with Dr. Walker and view the Underground Railroad in historic building next to Mexican restaurant.
12:30pm Artillery demonstration at Muscatatuck Park
1:15-2pm: Battle at Muscatatuck Park ($5 per vehicle)
2:30pm: Music on the square
3:15pm: Commence lineup for parade on Brown Street at firehouse.
3:30pm: Peace Parade
6:30pm-8:30pm: Blue/Grey Ball on the street in front of museum or Vernon Gym (free to the public)

Sunday, April 23rd, 2023

9am: Visit all of the Civil War Encampments., courthouse lawn and log cabin on Brown Street. Visit artillery unit on Rat Row (green space on Brown St.)
9am-4pm: Visit Lew Wallace, Abe Lincoln, John Hunt Morgan, Hagerman Tripp, Dr. Walker and other first person interpreters around the museum!
10am-4pm: Demonstrations in the old time arts (blacksmith shop, wood carvers, Weaving, pottery making by award winning artist, Karen Chilman)
10am-4pm: Food line inside gallery of museum served by the Jennings County High School Culinary School students
10-4pm: Skits and skirmishes around town by Civil War re-enactors
12:30pm: Music on the square—Gene Bach and friends
12:30pm: Skillet Toss prior to battle at Muscatatuck Park
1:15-2pm: Battle at Muscatatuck Park ($5 per vehicle)
2:00-3:00pm: Music on the square by Gene Bach
3:30pm: Vintage Baseball game on the lawn at Vernon Gym. Working blacksmith shop all weekend, wood carving, weaving and more!

Date: April 22 - 23, 2023

Location: Various Venues in Vernon, IN 47282.

Click Here for More Information