Inaugural Towpath 10K Dash and Fun Run

Come one, come all to the inaugural Towpath 10k Dash and Fun Run.  Metamora, IN is hosting this annual run to aid the Whitewater Canal Trail, Inc. Money collected from this event will assist in building and maintaining the trail and the Whitewater Canal Historic Site. 

You can sign up online to enter.

The path is flat!  You will start in the heart of Metamora, run past buildings that are on the historic registry, dash past the working grist mill, and the only working wooden aquaduct in the US.

Platted in 1838, Metamora is a step back in time.  The town oozes history in every building, street, and the area surrounding it.  Take a ride on the Ben Franklin, pulled by 2 Belgian horses as you are taken through the aquaduct, which built in 1848 is listed as a Civil Engineering Historic site.  It is also one of the original working locks of the canal.  a world-famous 1848 aqueduct which is a listed Civil Engineering Historic Site, and an original working lock on the canal.

Along the trail there are several informational stops.  You can view another lock along the canal.  This one is not restored.  The trail goes through the woods, over the meadows and ends at the Towpath Park, next to the Grist Mill.

Whether you are running/walking or dashing on the Towpath, you will be surrounded by nature and history.

After the run, tour the town.  Take in some shopping at our stores, and relax.  Spend the day, but take your time in the afternoon to enjoy it all!

Metamora Indiana Music Festival 2009 Part I

the 2009 Metamora, Indiana Music Festival is now history. But, we still have our memories of a great, great bluegrass festival.  It is hard to believe that this festival, the brain child of Metamora resident Jim Wendell, was only started 11 years ago, and draws a lot of great, bluegrass talent.   There were several great bands and vocalists.

These sets included home-grown musicians like Sam and the Metamorons.  They had some rousing covers of bluegrass classics.   G.I. Ball's brother, Sam, came in for a surprise visit just for the festival, to the delight of all who attended.

The festival wasn't limited to just bluegrass.  The audience also heard from the Shawnee Valley Dulcimer Society who had quite a few Appalachian and old-time songs in its repetoir. The band was not limited to just dulicimers, but also had fiddles, guitars and an accordion player to round out its full, rich sound.  Old Carter family tunes, laced through traditional hymns, rounded the band's set.

The festival had its share of younger, extremely talented performers.  Rebecca and James Elridge, a brother and sister act, gave a mix of bluegrass and show tunes.   This picture was snapped during their warm-up.  Even while practicing they sounded great.  You would never have known by their stage presence that they were still in their teens.

One of the more eclectic acts was Brian Wallen, who entertained the crowd by playing both parts of "Dueling Banjos" on both the banjo and guitar!  He continued to wow the audience by performin on banjo, guitar and fiddle.  Also a songwriter, the crowd was treated to a couple of original tunes.  Brian, who is 17 years old, has several CDs and is hoping to land a job in Branson, MO., after graduation. 

If only the train would have passed by the festival at the appropriate times, like during "Orange Blossom Special" or "Rolling in My Sweet Baby's Arms"  This list is only a partial of all the performances just on Saturday.  The Metamora Music Festival is jammed packed!

Flagg Coal Co. #75 comes to Metamora, IN Part 2

When the Flagg Coal Co. #75 comes to Metamora, IN, it is a big deal. The Flagg Coal Co. #75 is a real steam engine and is a magnificent site to see.  When the steam is going full and billowing in the air, it is almost a magical transport back into time for the viewer.  Couple this with a historic town like Metamora, IN and there are some magic moments.

 

Durig the train's visit here over the next 2 weekends, there are some special rides that any train enthusiast, history buff, or just someone who wants to take an extra special trip  should take.  Check the following link for times and dates.  You won't be sorry!

Schedule 

One of the rides will have the Circle D Rangers, which consist of marshalls, bandits, fancy ladies, and not so fancy ladies.  Here is a photo of a previous trip to Metamora.

Don't forget the music festival.  There will be a lot of great, home grown, toe tappin' music.  This is one of the favorite festivals around.  Lots of workshops, great fun, and food.

And... as always, we want to express thanks to the folks who own Flagg Coal Co. #75 for bringing the engine in, not only for another visit, but for an extra weekend!!

 

If you can't make it to town over the next 2 weekends, don't forget about Canal Days the first full weekend of October 2-4 and our wonderful Christmas Walk!

See you there!

Flagg Coal Co. #75 visit to Metamora, Indiana

From a recent visitor to Metamora, Indiana

Flagg Coal Co. # 75 comes for 3 weekends to Metamora, In.!

The Whitewater Valley Railroad runs several special excursions to Metamora, Indiana, during the year, as well as the normal schedule (which runs May - October).  The trip from Connersville to Metamora, by rail, is noted as Indiana's most scenic 19 miles of railroad.

 

Regular riders know of the Wild West Train, Thomas the Tank Engine, Polar Express, and as steam engine enthusiasts know, the Railroad has also brought the Flagg Coal Steam Engine into Metamora for the past few years.  This time, the Flagg Coal Steam Engine #75 returns for an extended engagement of 3 weekends! 

There are several special routes for the Flagg Coal Engine #75 this year including:

•  Wild West Train to Dinner  (Dinner will be in Laurel, IN)
  
• Ride the Rails with Mr. Lincoln (Yep, Good Ole Abe will be along for the ride)
  
• The Steam Engine and the Metamora Music Festival (see last blog post)
• Civil War Steam Train  (Really step back in time for this trip!!)

For ticket information, please visit the Whitewater Valley Railroad site.

Everyone is excited about the steam engine coming for a visit to Metamora, IN. It adds even more charm to this historic town. Come stroll through the shops in town, eat at the various restaurants, watch the mill grind corn, take a ride on the Ben Franklin III, or take a tour with the horse carriage. Close your eyes and you can step back in time.

For more detailed information regarding the Flagg Coal Co. #75, please click here.

Don't forget about Canal Days the first full weekend of October 2-4 and our wonderful Christmas Walk!

Visit our website here for more information or to contact us!

2009 Music Festival in historic Metamora Indiana

Summer may be coming to a close, but the fun is still going strong in Metamora, Indiana! Labor Day Weekend is a must for everyone who ever thought about coming to Metamora!

We are kicking off September with the 11th annual Labor Day Music Festival. There will be a ton of great bluegrass bands, musical instruments, fun things to do for the kids, all the while y ou can shop among the antique shops, craft stores, and tourist boutiques.

The festival is set along the Whitewater Canal, next the only working aqueduct in the United States. You can travel down the canal in the Ben Franklin III pulled by the horse team, while listening to some down home bluegrass music.



For more information, go to the official website.

The Festival’s schedule.




The Flagg Coal Steam Engine train returns to Metamora for the third year in a row. Come ride on the steam engine down the historic, beautiful railway. It’s a chance of a lifetime, one not to be missed. The train runs from Metamora, Indiana on this trip. Take a scenic mile tour aboard a real steam engine!



Don’t forget to make plans for Canal Days, the first FULL weekend of October. And, the infamous Christmas Walk starting Thanksgiving weekend and continuing every weekend through Christmas).

The Tillers Live in Metamora, Indiana. This Saturday only.

This Saturday, get ready for a great show. The Tillers will put on a free show at the Grist Mill in Metamora, Indiana, on Saturday, August 15. The show will start at noon with the Soggy Bottom Boys, Metamora's own bluegrass band. The Tillers will take the stage at 1 PM.

The Tillers play both traditional and progressive. They resurrect songs of America's past, touching on themes both historical and timeless. This is going to be a great show. Don't miss it!!! This is a great warm up for the Annual Labor Day Music Festival.