Home décor lovers, craft collectors, and curious wanderers—get ready. “Shipshewana on the Road” is rolling into Fort Wayne, transforming the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum into a pop-up paradise of booths, bargains, and big energy.
For two days only, the traveling market that’s been winning over Midwest shoppers since 1992 will give local residents a taste of its charming chaos. Doors open at 9 a.m. Saturday.
From Sidewalks to Stadium Floors: The Market’s Backstory
It all started with a small-town dream.
Darrell and Julie Lepper were longtime fans of the outdoor market in Shipshewana, Indiana. But there was one problem—it shut down during the colder months. So they figured, why wait for summer?
They packed up the market concept, loaded it onto trucks, and hit the road.
“We just thought it’d be fun to bring a bit of Shipshewana to our community,” Julie once said. “We didn’t expect it to turn into this.”
Now, over three decades later, their idea has turned into a full-blown regional tradition. Fort Wayne’s stop is just one of many in a multi-state rotation that touches Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio.
This Weekend: What Shoppers Can Expect
If you’ve never been, think of it like a high-energy treasure hunt—with snacks.
Between Saturday and Sunday, hundreds of vendors will fill the coliseum with everything from barn wood signs to boutique handbags.
Want a summary? Sure:
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Furniture and home décor
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Artisan crafts and handmade gifts
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Clothing, accessories, and jewelry
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Kids’ toys and novelty items
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Personal care and cleaning products
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Holiday decorations and collectibles
And that’s just scratching the surface. You might stumble onto vintage kitchenware in one booth, then suddenly find a guy selling homemade beef jerky two steps over.
One booth sells handmade soaps that smell like fresh pie. Another has rustic wall art made from reclaimed Indiana barn wood. It’s that kind of vibe.
An Event With Social Currency
Julie Lepper has always emphasized that “Shipshewana on the Road” isn’t just shopping—it’s social.
“There’s something about walking these aisles with your mom or your best friend,” she said in a recent interview. “It’s a shared experience. People laugh together, try on hats, swap gift ideas. That’s the soul of it.”
You’ll see families pushing strollers, groups of friends grabbing kettle corn, and couples on the hunt for quirky anniversary gifts. No one’s in a rush. And everyone’s got their eye out for something unexpected.
One sentence is enough here.
The Numbers: Why This Market Keeps Growing
Want proof this isn’t just a “small-town market” anymore? Look at the numbers.
| Category | Data Point |
|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1992 |
| Average Annual Visitors | Over 100,000 across all locations |
| States Visited | 4 (IN, IL, MI, OH) |
| Number of Vendors (avg/event) | 150–250 |
| Price of Admission | $5 (Kids 12 and under free) |
What started as a seasonal fix has become a full-on operation. And despite the digital age of online everything, “Shipshewana on the Road” has never really slowed down.
If anything, it’s gaining steam.
Fort Wayne’s Turn to Host the Magic
The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum knows how to handle a crowd, but this weekend’s going to feel especially buzzy.
Saturday’s hours run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday will go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Vendors will start setting up early, with some coming in from as far as Detroit or Cincinnati. Others are Fort Wayne locals excited to showcase their goods alongside Midwest regulars.
And for attendees, it’s more than just buying things.
“It’s like a mini festival,” said Linda Carson, a Fort Wayne resident who’s attended for the last six years. “We go every year, even if we don’t plan to buy much. It’s just fun.”
Expect free samples, live product demos, and enough food smells to make skipping breakfast a bad idea.
One Weekend. One Price. Hundreds of Finds.
The $5 entry fee covers it all. From quirky finds to genuine keepsakes, it’s one of those events where you might walk out with a bag full of stuff you didn’t know you needed.
Kids 12 and under? They’re in for free. Bring the whole family. No one’s checking shopping lists at the door.
And here’s a tip: Come early. The good stuff—the truly one-of-a-kind, weirdly specific, hilariously perfect-for-your-mother-in-law stuff—tends to go quick.
