What happens when you take history, and add small-town atmosphere and community pride? You get the Yellowstone Trail Fest in Hamlet.

Hamlet has the historic distinction of being the only town in Starke County through which the historic Yellowstone Trail directly led. The population of Hamlet is estimated at about 800 people, but every summer that population expands thanks to the efforts of the volunteer Yellowstone Trail Fest board of directors.

Yellowstone Trail Fest

“It brings the community together and offers a fun way to educate the younger generation on the history of the trail,” says board member Juanita Ketcham, acting as spokesperson for the festival board.

The Yellowstone Trail was constructed in 1912 as one of the first transcontinental roadways in the United States. The destination of the road was the newly organized Yellowstone National Park. The impetus for the trail was the desire by South Dakota businessmen to bring people to the park from the east, especially through Ipswich, South Dakota. Planning that direct route brought it through northern Indiana and right through the center of Hamlet. It remained a direct route until the 1930s.

Events Director Juanita Ketcham says the theme for this year’s festival is, “Mischief and Magic.”  

We hope folks will come dressed in their house colors, wear wizard cloaks and witches’ hats, and sport your wands and brooms,” Ketcham said.  

Ketcham says people can take part in a Quidditch Contest.  Cash can be won by wizards of all ages by riding your house-colored broom till the music stops,” she said. If your position and house is called, you win the cash! This will be held several times per event, and the events are scheduled several times over the weekend.”   

There will also be a scavenger hunt. “The Golf Cart Scavenger Hunt will have a lot of clues to find throughout the town and fairgrounds,” she said. The team to make it back to us with a cauldron or envelope in hand from all the stops wins some cash as well. There are also many photo opportunities with our 8-foot, two-headed dragon, or some guest appearances from a famous wizardly movie. Yellow River Farms is even bringing their kiddie version of Hogwarts Express to ride around the fairgrounds.” 

Two headed dragon (photo by Jubilee Edgell )

The original version of the Yellowstone Trail Fest “was mostly an opportunity for the rendezvous to gather and vendors to sell items,” Ketcham says. “It only took up about a tenth of the size of the current layout.”Yellowstone Trail Fest

Today visitors to the festival can enjoy a parade, a huge car show organized by Dave Pearson, a repurposed metal sculpture contest, and a skillet toss, in addition to music and vendors. The Oregon-Davis girls golf team organizes an escape-room experience each year too. It wouldn’t be the same without the fireworks display sponsored by Larry Jernas, the Town of Hamlet and business supporters, Ketcham adds. 

The festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on August 17, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 18, at the Starke County Fairgrounds in Hamlet. 

To find out more about the festival, visit yellowstonetrailfest.com. 

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