Holland set to celebrate growing community - Dubois County Free Press, Inc.

The 2025 Holland Fest returns this year, featuring a mix of fan-favorite events, food, music, community fundraising, and beloved traditions.

Over the two-day festival, which opens this Friday, visitors have numerous options for celebrating the unique features of the Dubois County community while supporting efforts to address needs in Holland. Co-chair Malea Wagner said that supporting those needs and helping wherever they can is the heartbeat of the Holland Events committee.

Underlying it all is the importance of accessibility and inclusivity. The entertainment and events are all sponsored by local businesses, community members and organizations to ensure anyone can come and have a great time.

“We do this for you! We strive to make it as free as possible so everyone can come and enjoy Holland, the park, entertainment, and the food,” MaLea emphasized.

While purchases from the food and game booths support the local nonprofits and churches, the revenue from half-pot games, booth rentals, and a new soup fundraiser enables the festival to give back to the community.

Those efforts enabled the Holland Fest to donate $15,578 to 17 local organizations in 2024. And, the festival’s impact extends beyond monetary donations. Last year’s contribution to the nonprofit Feed My People resulted in over 100 hot meals distributed to community members within a month. Additionally, the festival enabled the local fire department to purchase specialized breathing apparatus equipment.

“Small things like that make a big difference in a community like Holland,” MaLea said.

Highlighting the town’s 166th anniversary this year and the theme of “Rah for Holland!”, the festival is set to rock as organizers have lined up several bands specializing in ’90s music for entertainment.

“Holland has always been about Rock and Roll and we mixed that up a bit this year,” MaLea said.

Holland Exit, a ’90s alternative grunge band, will be performing on Friday. And if that’s not your jam, Whiskey Row, a ’90s country band, will take center stage on Saturday.

Fan-favorite events will also return this year, including the wiener dog races, which will feature slow-motion video replays.

“I can’t wait for the video slow-mo outcomes of this race,” MaLea said. “That, for some of us, is the best part about it. “

The ice cream eating contest, scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m., celebrates Holland’s connection to Holland Dairy, now Prairie Farms.

“I’ve had people say they come from other parts of the county just to see this happen,” MaLea added.

New entertainment includes a magician performance in partnership with the Huntingburg Public Library, designed to offer children something different during the festival.

Musical duo Nikita and Crandall will perform near the large shelter house during the Craft and Farmers Market from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., adding to the weekend’s entertainment lineup.

As far as food goes, MaLea wants everyone to know that all the food is spectacular. However, judging by the Facebook comments, many people really like the milkshakes, baked potatoes, curly fries, and fish.

The festival reflects a collaborative community effort that extends beyond the work of the organizing committee. Local residents contribute to the event’s success, demonstrating collective pride in Holland’s identity and growth.

“It’s a small community, so it’s not just the work our committee does, it’s the work community members do as well,” she said.

The festival embraced the unique slogan “Rah For Holland!” this year as a callback to Holland High School’s original song. This theme also celebrates the positive atmosphere surrounding the growing community.

“We want you to see how proud we are to be from Holland,” Malea said. “Everyone is welcome, and don’t forget to buy a Dutch Pot ticket!”

Here is a lineup of events and a schedule for this year’s fest.

FRIDAY

3:00 pm – Food Booths open
6:00 pm – Opening Ceremony at Henke Stadium (Sponsored by Holland MI)
6:30 pm – Little Miss & Mr. Contest at Henke Stadium (Sponsored by Branded by Woods)
6:30-10:00 pm – Kids Zone open (Sponsored by Springs Valley Bank & Trust)
7:00 pm – Beer Garden opens
8:00-12:00 pm – Live Music by Holland Exit on Steve & Kathy Henke Main Stage (Sponsored by Steve & Kathy Henke and Family)
9:00 pm – Wondering Dutchman Meat Check-In at the Log Cabin
10:00 pm – Food Booths close
12:00 am – Beer Garden closes

SATURDAY

8:00 am – Tulip Trek 5K & Kids Run at Henke Stadium (Presented by Hummingbird Daycare Ministries)
8:00-10:00 am – Farm to Table Breakfast at Henke Stadium (Presented by Holland Dutch Workers 2-H)
10:00 am-4:00 pm – Craft Fair at Large Shelter House (Open to everyone, kids included)
10:00 am – Kids Games on softball field (Open to all ages, Sponsored by Holland Dutch Workers 2-H)
10:00 am – Food Booths open
11:00 am – Kiddie Tractor Pull by tennis courts (Presented by Southridge FFA)
11:30 am – Wiener Dog Races on the softball field (Sponsored by Rabbit Roofing)
2:00 pm – Magic Show at Henke Stadium (Partnered with Huntingburg Public Library)
2:00 pm – Cornhole Tournament of Champions (Registration opens in the family area on Steve & Kathy Main Stage)
2:30 pm – Kids Zone opens (Sponsored by Black Brothers Equipment Co.)
3:30-6:30 pm – The Balloon Ladies in the food booth area
4:00 pm – Ice Cream Eating Contest at Henke Stadium (Sponsored by Purdue Boller Dairy)
4:00 pm – The Wondering Dutchman Backyard BBQ Awards at Log Cabin
4:00-7:00 pm – Live music by Dayne Schuegers on Steve & Kathy Henke Main Stage (Sponsored by Dubois County)
6:00 pm – Mentors for Youth Kids Cornhole on the softball field
6:00 pm – Beer Garden opens
7:30-11:30 pm – Live music by Whiskey Row on Steve & Kathy Henke Main Stage (Sponsored by Steve & Kathy Henke and Family)
10:00 pm – Drawing of the Dutch Pot Winner on Steve & Kathy Henke Main Stage
10:00 pm – Food Booths close
12:00 am – Beer Garden closes

SUNDAY

10:00 am – Community Church Services at Henke Stadium
11:00 am – Holland American Legion Post 343 Dinners at Henke Stadium

Special Features

Dutch Pot Tickets: $1 for 1 or $5 for 6, with 1 winner
Tickets can be purchased from any committee member or information booth at the fest
Proceeds go to Holland Events (License #013319)