The 47th Annual James Dean Festival

The James Dean Museum presents the James Dean Festival Sept 22-24, 2023.

About the Event

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.

Highlights include the James Dean Look-Alike contest, Little James Dean Look-Alike contest, 50's Dance contest, rock lasso contest, free entertainment, Grand Parade, carnival rides, The James Dean Run car show and much more.

All events are held downtown Fairmount and in Play Acres Park.

Host or Publisher The James Dean Museum