MITCHELL – The 75th Annual Persimmon Festival finished its week-long celebration Saturday, which culminated in the annual Persimmon Festival Grand Parade.
First starting in 1947 by George Bishop, the event grew from a three-day festival celebrating the persimmon fruit and becoming what hundreds of attendees know today.
Celebrating his memory, his daughter Diana Bishop Chastain, this year’s parade grand marshal, said her father couldn’t imagine the event becoming as big as it is now.
“I do not know if my daddy could ever envision, that this would turn out like it would today. He would just say, thank you, thank you, to all of you to all the 100 and thousands of volunteers that have worked so hard over 75 years to make the festival what it is today. You guys need this plaque, not me,” said Chastain.
Planning for the 75th festival began in 2021, with plans to make it one of the biggest events to date, seeing the street filled with onlookers and multiple parade floats and entries riding down Main Street.
1st place winners The Mitchell Chapter of Tri Kappa 
2nd place winners American Fibertech Corporation 
3rd place winners Tiny Persimmon Preschool
From trucks to float balloons, horses to firetrucks, the parade had it all. Additional performances from the Mitchell Stingerz Dance Team, to the Mitchell High School and Junior High School Cheerleaders, as well as the Michigan City Soul Steppers Drill Team.
The street was packed with multiple on-lookers who filled the sidewalks and roadway, hours before the parade began.
Classic floats appeared in the parade, as well as a chance for attendees to get a close look at the Magical Vacation Planner, Chase Briscoe #14 car that made an appearance at Hatfield Elementary School, before making its way to the festival.
Fred Flintstone 
La Or Ma Shrine club members 
The Magical Vacation Planner, Chase Briscoe #14 car
The festival left many wanting more, and excited for the 76th Persimmon Festival in 2023.
