Mentone Egg Fest celebrates 80th year

The 80th annual Egg Fest is taking place through Sunday, on Mentone's Main Street. As the Egg Fest enters its 8th decade, things definitely look a little different than they did back in 1946.

But as you look at the food options, you won't find actual eggs.

So how did this shindig get its name?

"Years ago in 1946, there was an egg show here, and people came from all over the Midwest because this was the biggest place of transporting eggs by rail to the east coast, Mentone, Indiana. So, we had people that were in the production all over the 3 or 4 state area that would come in for the big egg show," said Rita Price Simpson, Mentone Chamber of Commerce president.

There's food, an assortment of vendors, and things wouldn't be complete without a 3000-pound egg.

There's even a local baseball tournament, which 9-year-old Axton Hall is playing in. But that's not his favorite thing about this Mentone staple.

"Probably the pancake breakfast on Saturday morning," said Axton.

One vendor at this festival is looking to help attract donations for the Mentzer Park project in town. The goal is to bring in enough funds to match money from the Orthopedic Retention Industry Initiative.

"We are looking to raise $50,000 which will unlock $50,000 as a match. So of course, that would be $100,000 to towards a $280,000 project. So, if that happens, that is the final money in and makes that project possible," said Amy Roe, Kosciusko County Community Coordinator

Like any good party, this Egg Fest is a chance for those who live nearby to enjoy a weekend of trying some local food and exploring the town.

"People who lived here years ago will come back for this, and they'll visit and they'll talk to people and they'll get to know each other again. A lot of the school reunions are around this time so that brings them an opportunity to come back, and I think it's just the neighborhood community of it that makes it really special for me," said Price Simpson.