We're sliding into the end of July (which here in northern Indiana means hot, hot, HOT!) with some great updates about the Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail.  We've said it a few times ... this is the 15th anniversary of the Quilt Gardens and we're excited to be celebrating the gardens, the murals, the volunteers, the locations and so much more!

We also connect with the Goshen Parks and Recreation Department and chat about their amazing parks system and some of the cool classes, events and activities you can sign up for.

Learn more about the Quilt Gardens at QuiltGardens.com and experience all there is to see and do at the Goshen Parks at GoshenIndiana.org/parks-rec.

Summer in Elkhart County is jam-packed with fun in every part of the Heritage Trail!  We hope the People & Places podcast helps you plan out some of your fun summertime adventures and more!

On this episode, we learn more about whats in store for the 2022 Elkhart County 4-H Fair, one of Elkhart County's largest events! You'll hear about everything from what days are ride specials, to the concert line up and what food can be found on the Famous Food Row.

Then get to know the founder of Ben's Pretzels, home to the world's best Amish-inspired gourmet soft pretzel, which began right here in northern Indiana.  He tells us about how a casual conversation turned into the nation's fastest growing soft pretzel franchise and what his favorite menu item is.

And we catch up with the crew at the Elkhart Environmental Center to learn more about their Nature Play Days and the open house they are hosting later in the month.

We've got an awesome episode jam-packed with fun ways to learn more about the history and heritage found in Elkhart County, Indiana!  

Did you know that Elkhart County produces over 80% of all RVs built in the U.S. and that more than eight in ten RVs shipped in North America are made right here?!  That means we host a lot of RV rallies and the FROG International Rally is one of the largest. On this episode, we learn more about the FROG (Forest River Owners Group) and the rally being held August 14-20 at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Then hear about the all-new passports available for the Quilt Gardens and Epic Art Adventures. The best of all - these passports are free, easy to use and are great for navigating all of the great places to see!

We wrap up the episode catching up with Nick at South Side Soda Shop. Since re-opening in 1986, Nick and Charity Boyd have been running the South Side Soda Shop along with their family. The Boyds have created a legacy; the South Side Soda Shop’s chili has been voted Michiana’s best chili seven times; the Lemon Meringue pie won the Indiana Pie Quest  Contest; the South Side Soda Shop has been featured in Gourmet Magazine  and numerous regional publications, as well as the film, Lonesome Jim,  directed by film star Steve Buscemi. The Soda Shop was featured in the  premiere season of Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” with  host Guy Fieri.

We're wrapping up June with some fun ways to experience live music, outdoor fun and learn local history.

On today's episode we chat with Michelle Frank, executive director of The Lerner in downtown Elkhart.  Michelle shares some upcoming events happening on the beautiful stage inside The Lerner along with some great outdoor events happening on the Central Green stage.

Then Jule Parke, director of the Elkhart County Historical Museum, shares more about the museum located in Bristol. You'll hear about its history and Julie will make you want to go check it out for yourself.

And we wrap up the episode with Jamison Czarnecki, superintended of the City of Elkhart Parks and Recreation Department. Jamison fills us in on the Farmers Market that happens every Saturday in downtown Elkhart along with some cool concert series happening all summer long. It wouldn't be a conversation with the Parks Department unless we shared some fun ways to cool down in this summer heat.

We're back with more things to see and do in Elkhart County this summer!

First, we check in to see what's happening the next couple of months in Goshen during First Friday!  This monthly downtown block party showcases artists, entertainers, and independently-owned businesses, attracting thousands of visitors throughout the year.

Then put on your walking shoes and get ready to hit the pavement as we learn more about how the Nappanee Center museum guides give walking tours of Nappanee’s rich history. After all, it is a place of thinkers, tinkers, and inventors. 

And finally, we learn more about Elkhart ArtWalk and how Premier Arts is completely transforming downtown Elkhart on the last Thursday of every month with a free, family-friendly event.

You know we've got all the details for you in the podcast, but in case you missed them learn more about Goshen First Friday at DowntownGoshen.org, the walking tours (and more!) happening in Nappanee at NappaneeLibrary.org and ElkhartArtWalk.com has all the details for ArtWalk.

Thanks for streaming another episode of the People & Places along the Heritage Trail podcast!

In this episode you'll hear from Jasmine Wall, owner of The Imagination Spot in downtown Goshen. Jasmine shares some details about how she started The Imagination Spot, what kind of unique finds she has in her storefront and how you can get the cutest custom invitations created for your next event. Then Cami Mechling, executive director of Visit Nappanee, shares more about Nappanee's retail shops, charity drives that benefit the community, and chats about some of the festival-type events coming up like Taste of Nappanee and Friday Fests that celebrate all Nappanee has to offer!. We wrap up the episode chatting with Ronda DeCaire, director of county parks for Elkhart County Parks. Ronda shares more about the various (and stunningly beautiful) parks in Elkhart County and shares what some of her favorite spots are.

Learn more about The Imagination Spot and see the beautiful creations at TheImaginationSpot.com

We're nearly halfway through Season 2 of the People & Places along the Heritage Trail podcast!

In this episode you'll hear from Jeanne Kern, owner of The Vine in downtown Elkhart. Jeanne shares some details about their food and drink menu, plus how she got started at The Vine.  Then Eric Garton, executive director of Wellfield Botanic Gardens, shares the details of the 2022 Groovin' in the Gardens series.  We wrap up the episode chatting with Denita Henry, sales director at Hotel Elkhart.  Denita gives more information about the newly-opened hotel and the great spaces it features. 

Learn more about The Vine and see the menu at TheVineOnMain.com

Welcome back to another great episode of the People and Places along the Heritage Trail podcast where we share with you fun events, places to visit and introduce you to the makers that help shape Elkhart County as a Well Crafted place.

Today you'll hear about some fun events we've got coming up later this month - the Pumpkinvine Bike Ride and the Elkhart Jazz Festival. You'll also hear about some great events happening over the next few months at The Michiana Event Center.

For more great events happening this summer in Elkhart County, go to the Event Calendar at VisitElkhartCounty.com

he Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail joins quilting, gardening, and art into a one-of-a-kind event featuring   more than a million vibrant blooms in 17 gigantic Quilt Gardens and celebrates hand-painted art with 25 super-sized Quilt Murals. As we  gear up for the Quilt Gardens to start on May 30th, this Quilt Gardens mini-series will give you the inside scoop as Sonya Nash, Quilt Gardens  project manager, takes us on a deep dive into some the 2022 Quilt Garden locations and chats with the many volunteers that help make this  project special.

On this episode, we get the inside scoop about the Quilt Gardens at Nappanee Center, Linton's Enchanted Gardens and Das Dutchman Essenhaus.

Learn more about the Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail at QuiltGardens.com.

The Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail joins quilting, gardening, and art into a one-of-a-kind event featuring  more than a million vibrant blooms in 17 gigantic Quilt Gardens and celebrates hand-painted art with 25 super-sized Quilt Murals. As we gear up for the Quilt Gardens to start on May 30th, this Quilt Gardens mini-series will give you the inside scoop as Sonya Nash, Quilt Gardens project manager, takes us on a deep dive into some the 2022 Quilt Garden locations and chats with the many volunteers that help make this project special.

On this episode, we get the inside scoop about the Quilt Gardens at Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Downtown Wakarusa and Ruthmere

Learn more about the Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail at QuiltGardens.com.