Welcome to the HOME for your information concerning the Persimmon Festival©. Mitchell on the Move (MOM) is proud to join forces with the Greater Mitchell Chamber of Commerce to provide you with the latest information concerning the festival. Bookmark this page as THE SOURCE for news of the country's oldest Persimmon Festival©.
The Persimmon Festival© in Mitchell occurs the last full week of September every year and runs for eight days. The festival has been a tradition on Main Street since 1946. The population of Mitchell swells every year at this time. More events have been added in the recent years until there is truly something for everyone.
The festival is kicked off by the Candlelight Tour of the Pioneer Village at Spring Mill State Park just east of town. The major highlight is the parade on the last Saturday that lasts for two hours and attracts crowds, by some estimates, over 40,000 people. An approximate 30 contestants enter each year to be named the Persimmon Festival Queen. In addition, contests are held for Mini Miss, Little Miss and Junior Miss. Midway rides for the very young and the not-so-young line Main Street. Food booths and special offerings from local churches and businesses abound. A popularity contest for artwork and for photography along with a juried Arts and Crafts Show are held at various sites in and around the downtown area. The Persimmon Pudding Contest entries are always hotly contested. Not only does it take a winning recipe, but the most hidden secret is "what tree did your persimmons come from?".
