Mitchell Persimmon Festivals
- Mitchell in Lawrence County, Indiana, was built as a railroad town in the mid-19th century. The town is the birthplace of astronaut Gus Grissom, who flew on Liberty Bell 7, Gemini 3, and eventually died in a launch pad fire at the Kennedy Space Center in 1967. Mitchell is featured in regional cookbooks with its famous persimmon pudding and recipes, and is home to Dymples Delight Persimmons, a persimmon canning company.
- The annual Persimmon Festival is held in downtown Mitchell, complete with carnival rides, food, and contests. The persimmon festival began as a way to celebrate the persimmon trees that grow throughout Lawrence County and southern Indiana. This festival is packed with food, fundraising dinners, including a lasagna dinner, pork dinner and fish fry. Entertainment is provided by the Mitchell Dance Team, Mitchell Singers, karaoke, and local live bands. The festival features a variety of exhibits, including classic and antique cars, arts and crafts. The festival is also home to one of Indiana's largest parades, the Grand Persimmon Parade.
- Native to China, this sweet fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants vital for optimum health. Persimmon ripen very late in the year, and traditionally are harvested long after most crops. The persimmon was introduced to California during the middle of the 19th century, and is now native to Mitchell, where its famous persimmon pudding is a big part of the festival.
- Made from the pulp of the persimmon, persimmon pudding has the consistency of pumpkin pie. The persimmon festival holds a long tradition of the persimmon pudding contest, where contestants gather to show off their pudding skills. Persimmon also is used in making beer, wine, tea and coffee substitutes.
