About This Festival

About the Event

The Sandborn Fall Festival is a beloved annual celebration that brings together the tight-knit community of Sandborn and visitors from across South Central Indiana for a vibrant weekend of fall festivities. Held on the fourth weekend of September at the Sandborn Community Building & Park, this two-day event perfectly captures the spirit of small-town Indiana—where neighbors gather to celebrate local pride, support community causes, and create lasting memories together. What makes this festival truly special is its grassroots character. Organized by the Friends of Sandborn Fall Festival and local residents, the event is genuinely created by the community for the community. The welcoming atmosphere reflects genuine hospitality and a commitment to making everyone feel like part of the Sandborn family. Whether you're a longtime resident or a first-time visitor, you'll find the relaxed yet festive vibe perfect for families, car enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates authentic local culture and craftsmanship.

Activities & Attractions

The festival packs an impressive variety of entertainment and activities into its two days. Over 110 vendors and crafters showcase handmade goods and locally sourced items, with booths both inside the Community Building and spread throughout the park grounds. You'll discover everything from delicate handcrafted items to unique artisanal products. Live music performs throughout both days, providing a continuous and enjoyable backdrop as you explore the festival grounds. The Car & Motorcycle Show draws enthusiasts from the region, featuring classic and custom vehicles, with door prizes for participants. Entering a vehicle costs $10; spectating, like the rest of the festival, is free. For families with young baseball players, the Youth Baseball Tournament offers a competitive yet community-focused sporting event. The Jonah Fish Fry Fundraiser provides delicious food while supporting local charitable causes. Food trucks scattered throughout the festival grounds offer diverse dining options, and the Anderson Shelter House serves as a central food hub. As evening falls on the first day, the festival culminates with a spectacular fireworks display that lights up the sky and brings the community together in celebration. A dedicated kids' area provides family-friendly entertainment and play space throughout the event. The weekend also includes a 5K, a Pet Parade and a community church service, each a separate event run by local volunteers and organisations. Two have published times: BINGO is Saturday only, 6:00-8:00 PM, and the blood drive runs Sunday, 11:00 AM-2:40 PM.

Schedule & Logistics

The festival runs Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 2026, the fourth weekend of September, at the Sandborn Community Building & Park. Fireworks close out the Saturday evening. The full 2026 schedule of events:

Saturday, September 26

  • 7:00 am – 10:00 am — Sandborn Volunteer Fire Department Breakfast (freewill donation) — Anderson Shelter House
  • 8:00 am — Sandborn Fall Festival 5K — Large Open Grass Lot
  • 9:00 am – 5:00 pm — Vendor Fair & Food Trucks — vendors inside the Community Building gym & throughout the park
  • 10:00 am — Pet Parade & Awards — Large Open Grass Lot
  • All day — Baseball Tournament & NKYBL Concession Stand — Ball Diamond
  • All day — Kids Fun Area with the Sandborn Park Board — Pickleball Courts
  • All-day music — Music Tent at the Basketball Courts Area:
    • 10:30 am – 12:30 pm — Gary Phelps
    • 1:00 – 3:00 pm — Richochet Vincennes
    • 3:30 – 5:30 pm — Mystery Train
    • 6:00 – 8:00 pm — The Lowrider Experience
  • 5:00 – 8:00 pm — Jonah Fish Fry benefiting Friends of Sandborn Fall Festival — Anderson Shelter House
  • 6:00 – 8:00 pm — Bingo benefiting the Sandborn Park Board — Community Building Front Room
  • 9:00 pm — Fireworks by HTB Pyrotechnics LLC

Sunday, September 27

  • 10:00 am — Community Church Service by Pastor Bryan Sanders — Music Tent
  • 11:00 am — Sandborn First Christian Church Praise Team — Music Tent
  • All day — Baseball Tournament & NKYBL Concession Stand — Ball Diamond
  • All day — Kids Fun Area with the Sandborn Park Board — Pickleball Courts
  • 11:00 am – 3:00 pm — Car & Bike Show, music & announcements courtesy of DJ Tim Perkins — Large Open Grass Lot
  • 11:00 am – 3:00 pm — Vendor Fair & Food Trucks — vendors inside the Community Building gym & throughout the park
  • 11:00 am – 2:40 pm — Versiti Blood Drive — Community Building Front Room
  • 12:30 – 2:30 pm — The Burning Daylights Blues Band — Music Tent

Admission is free and so is parking. The venue is handicapped accessible, with room for the vendor booths inside the Community Building and across the park grounds.

The Community Impact

The Sandborn Fall Festival benefits local community organizations, making your attendance directly support the town's charitable causes. The event has become a centerpiece of fall festivities in Knox County, drawing not only Sandborn residents but visitors from throughout the broader South Central Indiana region. This festival demonstrates the power of community collaboration and the importance of celebrating local pride and small-town traditions.

Tags

fall festivalvendorscrafters5kpet paradecar showlive musicfireworksfamily-friendlyfree admissionbingosmall town