Where Cool Was Born

The James Dean Festival is held every year on the last full weekend of September in his hometown of Fairmount, Indiana. Since I was a senior in high school, I have been every year. While nothing really changes from year to year, I have had the unique pleasure of seeing the surviving members of James Dean's graduating class on one of my visits (there aren't many).

The town of Fairmount comes alive with the spirit of their celebrity rebel, it is simply breath-taking. There are several things to do at this festival, including: a James Dean look-a-like contest, a car show, screenings of James Dean's three movies, a trip to his deteriorating high school, a drive by the Winslow Farm where he grew up, trips to the museum that house hundreds of his personal artifacts, and lastly, a trip to his humble grave site.

The Fairmount Historical Society that is housed in a nationally registered historical home, contains some of the most impressive collection of celebrity personal artifacts that I have ever seen. Because James Dean grew up, went to school, and graduated in Fairmount, the town has the unique advantage of having exclusive access to a lot of his stuff. There are hand drawings, letters, lots of clothes, bongo drums, awards, contracts, and even his prized motorcycle within the museum. Most of the artifacts were donated by the Winslow family.

The little farm town, tucked away within the Indiana border, gets to toot their horn once a year and cling to their hometown rebel. And what a rebel. <3

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.jamesdean.com/community/festival/