Start Your Weekend of Fun in Washington County

It’s time to show your school colors on Friday Night, bring the family, rally your friends, and experience the excitement of high school football as the Salem Lions, Pekin Eastern Musketeers, and West Washington Senators take the field for another season.

The weather looks great on Saturday to visit Historic Beck's Mill. The Friends of Beck's Mill volunteers have spent countless hours helping visitors from around the world witness 218 years of Washington County History. Stop by and see what's new and enjoy the sound of dulcimer music and the taste of pulled pork sandwiches.  Top off your lunch with a slice of birthday cake, while enjoying many special demonstrations and exhibits. 

If you're ready to pick up the pace after a visit to the mill, head over to The Salem Speedway Motorplex on Saturday or Sunday for high banks racing action. If racing isn't your thing be sure to check the many other events occuring this week in Washington County. 

‍Friday Night Lights Are Back in Washington County - August 21st

The wait is over—football season is here in Washington County!

It’s time to grab your school colors, bring the family, rally your friends, and experience the excitement of Friday night football as the Salem Lions, Pekin Eastern Musketeers, and West Washington Senators take the field for another season.

From the opening kickoff to the final whistle, these communities come together to celebrate school spirit, hometown pride, and Indiana football tradition.

Celebrate Beck's Mill 218th Birthday - August 22nd

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The birthday celebration features The Corydon Dulcimer Society playing at 11:30am, birthday cake provided by Walmart, spinning, blacksmithing and tomahawk throwing. Special adult admission of $2.18

Other Activities

2:00pm - Live music performed by Larry Cline and friends.

Parking Lot Activities

Blue River Fire Department will serve food (Pulled pork BBQ, Coleslaw, Baked beans and Chips). Craft and flea market vendors will be onsite. Beck’s Mill Moonshine History by Alan Bishop

Interested vendors please call or text Judy 812-896-3447

‍Asphalt Assault at The Salem Speedway Motor Complex - August 22nd

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Salem Speedway is cranking up the heat with Asphalt Assault, a high-energy motorsports event bringing cars, trucks, speed, and Southern Indiana racing culture together on the legendary High Banks.

Taking place Saturday, August 22, 2026, Asphalt Assault is associated with the 812 Blackout Truck & Car Club and is scheduled at Salem Speedway.

‍Washington Co. Farmers Market - August 22nd

‍Shop local at The Washington County Farmers Market 

Come out and enjoy:

🥕 Fresh, locally grown produce

🍞 Homemade baked goods

🧺 Handmade crafts & unique finds

🌸 Beautiful plants & flowers

📅 Saturdays

⏰ 8:30 AM – 12:00 Noon

📍 801 S. Jackson St, Salem, IN (Justice Center Parking Lot)

‍Legendary Kart Club Racing - August 23rd

‍Salem Speedway brings a new level of grassroots motorsports excitement to Southern Indiana with Legendary Kart Club Racing. The club gives kart racers an opportunity to compete at one of Indiana’s most iconic racing venues.

Legendary Kart Club Racing is more than a day at the track—it's an opportunity for young racers to develop driving skills, competition experience, confidence and a passion for motorsports. Families can watch emerging racers take their first steps toward a future in competitive racing while experienced kart drivers battle for position and the checkered flag.

For spectators, the close-up action of kart racing provides an exciting, family-friendly motorsports experience. For competitors, racing at Salem adds the challenge and prestige of competing at a historic Southern Indiana racing facility.

"The Fourth of July in Pekin IN" Documentary Screening - August 25th

‍Join Indiana Humanities, the Pekin Community Betterment Organization, and the John Hay Center for a premiere screening of The Fourth of July in Pekin, IN, a new short documentary about Pekin's annual celebration. The documentary, directed by local filmmaker Erik Thein, captures the spirit of Pekin's Fourth of July festivities, a yearly tradition where generations of Pekin residents have come together to make the celebration the oldest consecutively-celebrated Fourth of July festival in the nation.

After the screening, there will be a brief Q&A with the filmmakers and with community members who have had a hand in organizing the festival. There will also be opportunities to share your own Fourth of July memories and feedback about the film as the filmmakers work to develop what they've captured into a full-length documentary.

This event is free and open to the public, though registration is appreciated. Light refreshments will be served.

Help Support The Indiana Bat as the State's Designated Mammal

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Indiana is one of the only states without an official state mammal. It’s time to fill that blank with a creature that literally carries our name. The Indiana Bat. It was first discovered and identified right here in southern Indiana, making it a true native. However, it shares more than just a namesake; it’s a silent hero for our states economy and environment. 

Behind the scenes, these incredible animals work tirelessly every single night as natural pest controllers, protecting our local environment and keeping our state in balance. They are a true cornerstone of Indiana's natural heritage, and they deserve to be celebrated as our official state mammal.

Sign the petition to officially designate the federally endangered Indiana Bat as the official State Mammal of Indiana! These little guys are a massive asset to our community, acting as our state's ultimate natural pest control (a single bat eats up to 1,200 mosquito-sized insects an hour, saving Hoosier farmers billions annually).

‍Support a Washington County Farmstand

‍Fresh from the farm, straight to your table! Washington County's farmstands offer the best of the season with vine-ripened tomatoes, sweet corn, fresh-picked berries, crisp vegetables, farm-fresh eggs, local honey, homemade baked goods, flowers, jams, and handcrafted products. Every purchase supports hardworking local farm families while bringing home the freshest flavors our community has to offer.

Take a scenic drive through the beautiful countryside, discover hidden roadside gems, and experience the tradition of buying directly from the people who grow your food. Whether you're planning a family meal, stocking up for canning season, or simply looking for healthy, locally grown produce, Washington County's farmstands are ready to welcome you with friendly smiles and exceptional quality.

Shop local. Eat fresh. Support local farmers. Discover the best of Washington County—one farmstand at a time! Click on the button below to view our farmstands. 

‍ARCA Menards Series Race Televised Live on FOX - Sept 12th

The ARCA Menards Series Spruce 212 at Salem Speedway will broadcast live over the air on FOX on Saturday, Sept. 12. The 212-lap race at the high-banked oval, located in southern Indiana between Indianapolis and Louisville, is scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET green flag.

“We are thrilled to have a second ARCA Menards Series race broadcast on FOX in 2026,” said ARCA president Ron Drager. “It provides our drivers, teams, sponsors and fans a tremendous opportunity to see one of the most unique and exciting race tracks on the ARCA Menards Series schedule. No track has hosted more ARCA Menards Series races, and we look forward to adding another exciting chapter to that history live on FOX.”

The race will start at sundown, but the track will be bathed in light provided by Musco, the company that revolutionized race track lighting to allow superspeedway racing at night in the 1990s.

“Having the ARCA Menards Series live on FOX puts the series under an incredible spotlight, and it will be even brighter thanks to our friends at Musco,” Drager continued. “Thanks to Musco’s support, it will be the brightest night race in Salem’s long history, and our fans will have a chance to see racing under the lights as they’ve never seen it at Salem before.”

‍Enjoy a Walk/Run or Bicycle Ride on the Monon South Trail

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The new greenway trail offers dramatic vistas of rolling Indiana farmland, forests, creeks and valleys with linkages to several regional destinations, including nearby state parks and recreation facilities. The trail also highlights connections to local businesses as it transverses our county. Click on the button below to Download a Map of the Trail. 

‍Pickleball Meet Ups at the YMCA - Monday Evenings 

‍Whether you're just learning the game or looking for regular competition, pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports because it's easy to learn, provides excellent exercise, and is fun for all ages.

‍Get Your Team Together in Support of a Good Cause

Get Your Team together for the Great Combine Pull on September 13th!

A one-day event with teams competing to pull a Case 5088 combine weighing 32,000 lbs. It's the ultimate tug-of-war challenge and a great team building event. Free admission to the Great Combine Pull.  General farm admission may be purchased separately with $ 2 per person donated to Washington County Special Olympics. 

All proceeds from the event go to support Special Olympics Indiana—Washington County, allowing athletes with intellectual disabilities to train and compete on a local and state level in 7 Olympic-type sports.

‍Have an idea for improving Tourism in Washington County?

‍Click on the button below to share your throughts, ideas and suggestions for improving tourism in Washington County, Indiana.