Fall festival season is here, and Roanoke, Indiana is ready for one of Huntington County’s longest-running community traditions!
The 72nd Annual Roanoke Fall Festival returns September 10–12, 2026, with three days packed with festival food, live entertainment, children’s activities, contests, a parade, the NTPA Tractor Pull, Demolition Derby and so much more.
And don’t head home too soon! The excitement continues on Sunday, September 13, with the 5th Annual Roanoke Rodeo at Roanoke Park.
This year’s festival theme is “Celebrating America’s 250th.” Whether you are coming for the food, bringing the kids, cheering at the tractor pull, watching the derby or spending the entire weekend in Roanoke, here is your guide to what’s happening.
Thursday, September 10
The festival officially gets underway Thursday evening at Roanoke Park.
5:00 p.m. — Food Alley Opens
Come hungry! Food Alley features a variety of festival favorites and will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
6:00 p.m. — Little Miss & Little Mister Roanoke Contest
Head to the Main Stage to cheer on some of Roanoke’s youngest festival participants. This year’s winners will each receive a $100 scholarship.
6:00 p.m. — All-Star Coaches Pitch Baseball Game
Catch the game at the Front Diamond.
7:30 p.m. — Huntington Erie Band Concert
Finish the first evening of the festival with live music.
Friday, September 11
Friday night brings food, entertainment, contests and plenty of horsepower to Roanoke.
5:00 p.m. — Food Alley Opens
6:00 p.m. — Opening Ceremony
The evening begins on the Main Stage with the festival’s opening ceremony.
6:00 p.m. — Petting Zoo
6:10 p.m. — Antique Tractor Parade, Golf Cart Parade & Side-by-Side Parade
Watch the Antique Tractor Parade followed by decorated golf carts and side-by-sides. The Golf Cart/Side-by-Side Parade includes a People’s Choice Award.
6:15 p.m. — Pie Eating Contest
A festival favorite returns at the Activity Tent. Contestants can choose between pumpkin or sugar cream pie.
6:30 p.m. — All-Star Baseball Game
The 27th Annual Kendall Dennis Memorial Game takes place at the back diamond.
6:45 p.m. — Fireman’s Coney Dog Eating Contest
7:00 p.m. — Applejack Cloggers
Catch the performance on the Main Stage.
7:00 p.m. — NTPA Tractor Pull: Thunder in the Park
Friday night gets loud with the NTPA Tractor Pull at Roanoke Park.
Gates open at 5:00 p.m., with the tractor pull beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for ages 6–12, and children 5 and under are free. The pits are open to everyone with paid admission.
8:00 p.m. — Magic Mirage Concert
Big hits from yesterday and a few from today take over the Main Stage.
Saturday, September 12
Saturday is the biggest day of the Roanoke Fall Festival, with activities beginning in the morning and continuing into the evening.
9:00–11:00 a.m. — FREE Children’s Activities
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. — Craft & Creations Show
Browse handmade items, boutique-style products and local organizations throughout the park.
10:00 a.m. — Kiddie Tractor Pull
11:00 a.m. — Roanoke Volunteer Fire Department Activities
Meet local heroes and enjoy activities in the park.
11:00 a.m. — Meet Officer Grant and K9 Officer Canine Demonstration
11:30 a.m. — Pet Parade
Bring out those four-legged family members for the annual Pet Parade, sponsored by Zach’s Pet Services.
12:00 p.m. — Food Alley Opens
12:30 p.m. — Ice Cream Eating Contest
1:15 p.m. — Indiana Wild
A family-friendly opportunity to learn more about animals, conservation, rescue and rehoming.
1:30 p.m. — FREE Relay Races & Games
Head under the Roanoke Park Pavilion for sack races, three-legged races, egg-and-spoon races, hula hoops, games and prizes.
3:00 p.m. — 72nd Annual Roanoke Fall Festival Parade
Find your spot along Main Street for one of the biggest traditions of the weekend.
The 72nd Annual Roanoke Fall Festival Parade begins at 3:00 p.m. and travels down Main Street with this year’s theme, “Celebrating America’s 250th.” The parade is sponsored by American Legion Post #160.
4:00 p.m. — Joy Pleasers Clown Ministry
Enjoy balloon animals and activities.
4:00 p.m. — Ducky Run
Stop by the Roanoke Lions Club booth to get your duck and join in the fun.
5:00 p.m. — Petting Zoo & Pig Races
6:00 p.m. — Annual Cake & Cookie Auction
Head to the Main Stage for the People’s Choice fundraiser and see some of the best displays from the annual Cake & Cookie Competition.
7:00 p.m. — Demolition Derby: Thunder in the Park
Saturday night, it is time for the Demolition Derby at Roanoke Park.
The Roanoke Tractor Pullers Association brings another night of high-energy entertainment to the pulling field. The action begins at 7:00 p.m.
Expect crashes, competition and a crowd ready to cheer on their favorites.
8:00 p.m. — Live Music on the Main Stage
Stick around after a full day of festival fun for Saturday night entertainment.
Sunday, September 13 — Roanoke Rodeo
The festival may officially wrap up Saturday, but the weekend isn’t over yet.
5:30–7:30 p.m. — 5th Annual Roanoke Rodeo
Grab your boots and head back to Roanoke Park Sunday evening for the 5th Annual Roanoke Rodeo.
The rodeo begins at 5:30 p.m. and features several events for the whole family.
Gate admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 4–12, and children 3 and under are free. Advance tickets can also be purchased at the Roanoke Volunteer Fire Department Coney Dog Stand during the Fall Festival.
Don’t Forget the Festival Food!
No fall festival weekend is complete without something delicious.
Food Alley is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with vendors serving everything from tenderloins and BBQ to hot dogs, corn dogs, pizza, elephant ears, lemon shake-ups, pies, dumplings and more.
Spend the Weekend Exploring Roanoke
With this much happening, there is no reason to make it a quick trip.
Come early, explore the festival and take some time to experience Downtown Roanoke. Visit the local shops, grab a meal, explore Main Street and discover more of what makes this Huntington County community worth visiting.
From the NTPA Tractor Pull and Demolition Derby to the Roanoke Rodeo, 72nd Annual Parade, live entertainment, kids activities, contests, food and community traditions, the Roanoke Fall Festival has something happening around nearly every corner.
Roanoke Fall Festival: September 10–12, 2026
Roanoke Rodeo: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Location: Roanoke Park and throughout Roanoke, Indiana
For festival updates and any last-minute schedule changes, visitors can also check the official Roanoke Fall Festival website
