Events
Family fun days, festivals, nature walks and so much more!
March 1
Guided Gallery Experience
Join Museum staff for an in-depth discussion of an exhibit. This year-long series will be held the first Saturday of every month. Guided tours will range across the permanent and temporary exhibits. Follow along on Facebook (@ElkhartCountyHistoricalMuseum) to discover our monthly topic.
March 4
March 4
Old-Time Country Dancing
Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to get down! Karen Andrews of Goshen Area Contra Dancing will call the moves as we explore historical dances including square dancing, Virginia reels, circle mixers, and other long-ways dances. Band ‘O Goshen will accompany as the musical talent. No partner or experience necessary.
March 4
Timberdoodle Trek
It may have the build of a chubby sandpiper, but during courtship, a male American Woodcock (aka “Timberdoodle”) becomes a master acrobat of the sky. Join the Parks as we embark on a twilight trek at *Lieber Nature Preserve to catch a glimpse of Timberdoodles spiraling in the sky. After the aerial show, we’ll listen for the soft hoots of owls and other nightlife found at the Preserve. Plan to dress for an evening hike.
*NOTE: Parking is VERY limited so we will meet at the Elkhart Historical Museum and carpool to the site 5 minutes away. Please plan travel time accordingly.
• What to Expect: Come prepared for extended time outdoors. ️This program is weather-dependent. Please check the event page for updates before heading out.
• Suggested Gear: Warm layers for extended time outside and hiking shoes.
Registration Opens 3/1
March 5
Wed. Bird Walk: Bog + Lake
This month, we’re kicking off the spring season with a back-to-back preserve tour! Early March offers tremendous opportunities to see migrating waterbirds of all kinds. Spend the morning at Elkhart Bog and Boot Lake as we search the skies for Hooded Mergansers, Buffleheads, Redheads and other early spring migrants. We’ll meet at Elkhart Bog (51455 CR 15, Elkhart) for a prairie and marsh meander, then head over to Boot Lake with our spotting scopes for some laid-back waterfowl watching. Binoculars and scopes will be available for use.
The group will head out at 8 a.m. — please plan travel time accordingly.
March 5
March 7
Books & Boots
The Elkhart Public Library has teamed up with the Elkhart County Parks to offer a book club for kids! Each meeting will include a book discussion followed by a park-led activity exploring one of the book’s environmental themes. Activities could include hikes, live animals, and more.
Visit the Elkhart Public Library’s website to check out a copy of this month’s book.
March 7
Sandhill Cranes Hike
Join us as we gather at Boot Lake Nature Preserve to observe the semi-annual congregation of the Sandhill Cranes. These majestic birds congregate in our area during winter and spring before dispersing to other parts of the United States. Learn all about this beautiful bird and its life history as we tour the preserve. Dress for extended time outdoors and bring binoculars if you have them.
March 8
March 17
St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt
Our annual St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt is back and will take place at Bonneyville Mill County Park this year! Adventure-seekers up for a challenge are invited to decipher clues and find the hidden golden shamrocks. Snap a pic and share on social media for your chance to win a prize.
Stay tuned for the 2025 rules.
March 18
Hiking Club
Join our Hiking Club to explore a different park trail every month, make new friends, and glimpse the bounty of nature around every curve and corner. Hiking Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month, March thru October. This month, hikers will explore Bonneyville Mill County Park on a 1.6-mile hike.
March 20
A Musical Journey through Mestizo America
Master of the Andean flute and expert on Latin American Culture, Nayo Ulloa, takes the audience on a musical sojourn from Patagonia to El Paso. We will be learning about Native musical traditions as well as those of the African diaspora and Mestizo culture through an interactive and lively presentation.
March 24
March 29
Setting The Millstones
At the end of each milling season, the 2,000 lb. millstones are separated for maintenance and cleaning. You are invited to attend the resetting of the Bonneyville Mill grinding stones. Those in attendance will observe the process of setting and balancing the top runner stone over the bottom bed stone. Snacks made from Bonneyville mill flour will be available.
March 29
Spring Bike Ride
Pump up your tires and put on your helmets for a bike hike along the beautiful Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. Families, friend groups or individuals are invited to join a naturalist for a 13-mile ride through the beautiful countryside enjoying the fresh air, the birds and the blooms along the way. Cyclists will start at the Dairy Queen parking lot in Middlebury, ride to Shipshewana and back again along the scenic, paved trail. Riders must provide their own bike, helmet and water bottle.
