Jul. 14—BRISTOL — Paused in the past only by the Spanish Influenza and the COVID-19 Pandemic, Bristol Homecoming for 2024 returned Thursday through Saturday.
Saturday featured the parade, which got underway about 2 p.m. Prior to that, event organizers were on hand at Congdon Park, were carnival rides and food trucks were being set up and people would head after the parade.
Homecoming President Stacie Rogers said that as of late morning homecoming was going good.
“The festival itself had a good night Thursday, for as hot as it’s been,” Rogers said. “It’s been really packed.”
The event has a history dating back 130-150 years, with the aforementioned Spanish flu of the early 20th century, along with the more recent COVID-19, being the only factors which had put it on hold. It began as a small festival celebrating at the Bristol Fruit Mills, which is no longer in business, and then evolved into a yearly event.
“The annual Bristol Homecoming is one of the oldest community festivals in the state of Indiana,” a news release stated. “Although the exact first year date is unknown, it was probably between 1879 to 1883. Known in the 1880s as the “Harvest Home,” and the “Harvest Jubilee,” it was held in the early fall, usually September, as a time to celebrate the harvest before the long, cold winter began.”
Jamie Thrams, Bristol, was one of many who lined Vistula Street for the parade to proceed from its staging area around Hilbish Boulevard.
“The same people sit in the same spots every year,” she noted. “It’s going good. Everyone looks forward to this homecoming every year.”
To learn more, visit www.visitindiana.com/event/bristol-homecoming-festival/13971 or “Bristol Homecoming” on Facebook.
Steve Wilson is news editor for The Goshen News. You can reach him at [email protected].
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
