MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
YODER – Yoder Heritage Day is set to bring thousands of visitors to town this Saturday, Aug. 23, with a full schedule of family-friendly activities, live music, horse demonstrations, and a fireworks finale.
The celebration kicks off early with a pancake and sausage feed at 6 a.m. at the downtown Pavilion. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy food vendors, open shops and restaurants, and a variety of activities highlighting the Amish and rural traditions of the Yoder community.
A parade beginning mid-morning is one of the day’s main attractions. Unlike most parades, horses lead the procession, reflecting the agricultural and equestrian heritage of the community. The parade typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes and features local businesses, floats, and plenty of excitement for children.
Music will fill the day with performances by several groups. The Color Green Band will play country gospel at 8:30 a.m., followed by Close to Land, a local up-and-coming band, at 11:45 a.m. The evening entertainment features the Country Road Ramblers, an eight-member group from southern Indiana specializing in bluegrass, country, and gospel, performing at dusk.
Heritage Day also showcases horse-related events throughout the day, including draft horse plowing demonstrations, a visiting horse drill team from Ohio featuring eight Friesian horses, a horse fun show, and pony rides for children.
For kids, the always-popular pedal pull begins at 1 p.m., with sign-ups starting at noon. Other attractions include pony rides, a kids’ play area, and historical exhibits hosted by the Yoder Historical Society, displaying old photos and drawings of the community.
The afternoon will feature horsepower of another kind with working tractor pulls, antique tractor displays, and truck pulls, drawing large crowds of spectators.
As the day winds down, families can enjoy food from a wide range of vendors—including barbecue, turkey legs, and Pronto Pups—before gathering for the evening concert and fireworks show that traditionally closes the festival.
Organizers expect as many as 10,000 visitors to attend this year’s event, boosted by cooler weather with temperatures forecast around 85 degrees. Admission is free, thanks to the support of more than 80 local sponsors.