Dan Patch Community Festival

September 6 - 8, 2024

Oxford, Indiana

Annual Celebration Honoring The Great Dan Patch

Welcome!

The Dan Patch Community Festival has been held annually since 1969 (with the exception of 2016 & 2020) in honor of the world-famous pacer who was foaled in Oxford, Indiana to owner Daniel Messner, Jr.

Dan Patch was a long-legged, wobbly, awkward colt with knobby knees - the colt even required assistance to stand to nurse. Many of Messner's friends encouraged him to have the colt put out of his misery. Instead the colt was nurtured and trained to be a pacer.. And the rest is history.

We hope this website will provide you with the information you seek about participating in or visiting the Dan Patch Community Festival in Oxford, Indiana.

For more information on the Great Dan Patch, you may visit the Dan Patch Historical Society or the Indiana Historical Society.

2024 Dan Patch Community Festival Committee Members

Oxford Lions Club Members

Karen Ahlbrand, President

Tina Gardner, Treasurer

Gigi Sims, Secretary

Dianna Brown

Chris Sheetz

Chase Stacy

Kara Stacy


Participating Organizations

Benton Central Bison Football

Benton Community Food & Service Co-Op

Oak Grove Heritage House

Oxford Community Baseball & Softball League

St Isidore the Farmer Life Teen


Volunteer Members

Blane Baker

Ashley Bice

Robin Campbell

Brooke Johnson

Shane Johnson

Connie Leuck

Jennifer Kawlewski

Kris Mermoud

Kasey Muller

Kelsie Muller

Jerry Muller

Suzanne Muller

Sam Tabert

Dan Patch Community Festival Events Calendar

Schedule subject to change.

Where is Oxford, Indiana?

Oxford is located in Benton County in west central Indiana. Below are directions from different areas.

From the North: (Chicago)

From the South: (Indianapolis)

From the East: (Ft. Wayne)

From the West: (Champaign)

For more information about Oxford visit the city website.