North Salem Old Fashion Days celebrates 44 years with small-town charm

By Lindsay Doty

Photo provided by North Salem Old Fashion Days

In the tiny town of North Salem, nestled between State Roads 75 and 236, Labor Day weekend is all about Old Fashion Days. The 44th annual three-day event is packed with a traditional parade, pie-eating, tractor pulls and all the charms of small-town America.

“It is a tradition. I just like to think of it as an ongoing great event. The little town of North Salem is almost unknown in Hendricks County to half the county, but it is a great little town with great people,” said Steve Hubbard, longtime resident and event committee president.

The festivities kick off Saturday morning with a smorgasbord breakfast at the United Methodist Church in North Salem followed by the largest parade in Hendricks County at 11 a.m. on Pearl St.

“Seeing the kids along the street as they watch the antique cars and tractors, they all seem to love it,” said Hubbard, 72, who remembers taking his kids to the parade years ago.

North Salem Old Fashion Days festivities continue all weekend with plenty to see and eat. You’ll find town favorites slike Judy Wyeth’s homemade Snickerdoodle cookies inside the Pioneer tent or the vintage horse pull at the Machinery Field.

For the 44th annual event, organizers have added a Cornhole tournament, a junior and princess contest, and a chalk art contest for kids in front of the bandstands.

“We’ve got lots of booths with various types of products from woodworking and jewelry and the antique stores in town. There’s a lot of food and just a good time for all,” said Hubbard.

Little ones can also come meet Cinderella on Saturday at the Kid Zone from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Organizers recommend families bring a camera and something for her to autograph. Tickets are $5.

Kickoff Breakfast

Saturday

7 a.m.-10 a.m.

United Methodist Church

104 W. Pearl St.

North Salem

Parade

Pearl St.

Saturday

11 a.m

The Truck Pull

Saturday