Everyone knows the small town of Fairmount, Indiana, thanks to James Byron Dean, an American actor who became extremely famous after starring Jim Stark in the Rebel Without a Cause. The celebrity lived in this town and is now buried in the local Park Cemetery. Over the last full weekend in September, The James Dean Museum throws James Dean Festival, aka Fairmount Museum Days, visited by tens of thousands of fans.
The program of the James Dean Festival is quite versatile and features something for everyone. The highlights include a huge car show numbering 2,000 retro vehicles, a James Dean run at Fairmount's Playacres Park, and a James Dean look-alike contest. Besides, you can enjoy a dance contest, a grand parade, carnival rides, a street fair, live music, and foods from dozens of vendors. This quintessential celebration has been running in Fairmount since 1976 and is your best chance to pay respect to the world-famous star.
Find more details on the schedule of events and the latest updates on The James Dean Museum's official website featured in the External Resources below. As for your stay, consider available accommodations nearby on the map. Note that Fairmount is located within roughly an hour's drive from Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, and a bit over two hours from South Bend.
