2025 Nickel Plate Music and Arts Festival coming to downtown Rochester Saturday, Aug. 23

Plans are underway for the 2025 Nickel Plate Music and Arts Festival this Saturday, Aug. 23. 

Julie Shambarger, Executive Director of Rochester Downtown Partnership, says volunteers are still welcome for anyone looking to get involved on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. “The volunteer work needed isn't anything too difficult, mostly helping to set up tables and things downtown from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. before things start,“ Shambarger said. 

From the five food trucks, unique vendors, craft tables, live music, art, and other entertainment planned to begin in downtown Rochester at 12 p.m., the day first kicks off with a parade starting at 11 a.m. that Shambarger says has nearly 100 entires already. The parade marshal this year is RTC Communications President Joe McCarter, who was presented with the 2025 Community Service Award by the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce in April. Shambarger said this year kicks off the new tradition of having future parade marshals be Community Service Award recipients. Parade awards will be announced during the festival at 2 p.m. 

New this year, a fine arts tent will feature local artists and legends like Jim Eikenberry, Erica Coffing, Jim Scott, Braxton Eikenberry and more. 

Shambarger said a $7,500 grant given to Rochester Downtown Partnership from the Northern Indiana Community Foundation recently to support the festival has helped expand the festival with more acts, entertainment, and other features. 

Starting off with a focus towards the local kids, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. entertainment incudes Sweetcakes Entertainment who will be returning to the festival with free face painting, henna body art, caricatures, and balloon animals. New this year, the Touch a Truck expo will be providing a hands on experience with fire trucks, log splitters, giant cranes, snow plows and more. “We're excited for this because it helps build a relationship with kids and local emergency personnel to make it personal. They can also get a first hand look at fire trucks, log splitters, giant cranes, snow plows, things like that,“ Shambarger said.  

During the afternoon ABATE is also setting up an 80 ft course, tiny tots, mini motorcycles on E. Eighth St. 

Live music will be all day including three headliners including The Evans Family Band at 1 p.m., American Fools Band - A Tribute to the Music of John Cougar Mellencamp at 5 p.m., and Use Your Illusion - The Guns N Roses Tribute Experience at 9 p.m.