Midwest Tool Expo and Auction 2027: Dates, Tickets, Exhibitors, Auction Schedule

Every winter, thousands of builders, woodworkers and tool lovers drive to a small town in northern Indiana. They come for one reason. They want to see, touch and buy tools in one place. The Midwest Tool Expo & Auction 2027 gives them that chance from January 28 to 30, 2027.

The show mixes a large trade floor with fast, multi-ring auctions. Vendors set up hundreds of booths. Auctioneers sell new, used and reconditioned equipment. In addition, expert speakers share practical advice in short seminars.

People attend for many reasons. Some want better prices. Others want to compare brands side by side. Many simply enjoy talking shop with people who share their trade. Therefore, the event works as both a market and a meeting place.

This guide explains everything you need to plan your visit. It covers dates, hours, tickets, exhibitors, auction rules, travel and tips. Please note one thing first. Organizers had not posted the full 2027 schedule when we wrote this guide. We use confirmed facts where they exist. We also use details from the 2026 show to show what to expect. Always check the official sources before you travel.

Event Overview

A Short History

The event began in 2002 at a produce auction barn in northern Indiana. Its first name was the Northern Indiana Tool Auction and Expo. Two local men, Robert Mishler and Willis Yoder, started it so people could sell tools they no longer used.

The show grew quickly. Ervin Miller joined the team in 2004. Later, it moved to the Shipshewana auction barn. In 2010, it moved again, this time to a 150,000-square-foot building in Howe, Indiana. Then, in 2016, Miller and Mishler bought out Yoder and gave the show a regional name. They also added a health and wellness expo that year. Since 2017, the Michiana Event Center in Shipshewana has hosted the show.

Why a Winter Show Works

January is a slow month for many trades. Builders finish fewer outdoor jobs. Woodworkers spend more time in the shop. As a result, people have time to travel, browse and plan new purchases. Sellers know this, so they bring their best stock and their best prices. Additionally, buyers can use the long weekend to compare options without rushing.

Organizers

Ervin Miller leads the event. His wife, Suella, runs the health and wellness side. Family members and staff from his woodworking business help before and during the show. Robert Mishler still handles auction questions and pickups.

Audience and Major Attractions

Past reports put attendance near 10,000 people each year. Visitors travel from as far as 600 miles away. Many own construction, building or woodworking businesses. Others are hobbyists and homeowners who want good tools at fair prices.

• Hundreds of exhibitor booths on the trade floor
• Auctions with up to six rings selling at the same time
• Free seminars on tools, shop tips and business topics
• A large tool giveaway and door prizes
• A separate health and wellness expo in the same building

Dates and Location

The listing on the Shipshewana visitor site confirms the opening date as Thursday, January 28, 2027. Our research puts the full run at January 28 to 30, 2027. That matches the usual pattern of a Thursday, Friday and Saturday show in late January.

Detail	Information
Dates	January 28 to 30, 2027
Venue	Michiana Event Center
Address	455 E. Farver Street, Shipshewana, Indiana 46565
Venue phone	260-768-3309
Expo phone	260-768-3033
Visitor center phone	260-768-4008

Event Hours

The visitor site lists Thursday hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for 2027. However, the organizers had not posted hours for Friday and Saturday at the time of writing. The 2026 show gives a useful guide.

Day	2026 Expo Hours	2026 Auction Start
Thursday	11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.	No auction listed
Friday	8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.	3:00 p.m.
Saturday	8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m.

Treat these times as a planning tool only. Hours often shift by an hour or two from year to year. Therefore, confirm the final times before you leave home.

Tickets and Registration

Ticket Prices

The 2026 show charged five dollars for admission. That price covered both the expo and the auction. Children aged 15 and under entered free. Organizers had not posted 2027 prices yet. Still, the price has stayed low for years, so expect a similar fee.

Visitor Type	2026 Price
Adult	$5
Children 15 and under	Free
Vendor booth	Contact the organizers
Auction bidder	Free to register at the auction office, if required

Registration and Purchase Options

Most visitors pay at the door. The Michiana Event Center website and the Shipshewana visitor site list the latest ticket news. In addition, you can call the expo office at 260-768-3033 with questions. Never buy tickets from a site that these official pages do not link to.

Admission Rules

• Bring cash or a card for admission and for small purchases.
• Keep your wristband or ticket with you all day.
• Ask the front desk about rules for large bags, carts and pets.
• Hold on to receipts, because many vendors need them for pickups and returns.

Exhibitors need a different process. Vendors should contact the organizers early. Booth space often fills quickly because the show draws many repeat sellers.

Event Schedule

Organizers have not shared the final 2027 schedule yet. However, the 2026 program shows the likely shape of the three days. We summarize it below.

Day	What to Expect
Thursday	Expo opens in the late morning. Seminars run each hour. A prize drawing takes place in the evening.
Friday	Full-day trade floor. Seminars from early morning to late afternoon. Reconditioned tools sell first, then the main auction starts mid-afternoon.
Saturday	Auction rings open early in the morning. The expo closes in the early afternoon. The large tool giveaway drawing happens at noon.

Special Activities

The 2026 show offered a 25,000-dollar tool giveaway. Winners did not need to be present, and the staff posted the names at the entrance. The organizers also gave away door prizes in past years. These included furniture, tools, cookware, gift cards and cash. Free coffee helped keep the crowds warm and happy.

A Sample Three-Day Plan

A plan saves time and money. The outline below suits a first-time visitor who wants to shop, learn and bid. Adjust it once the final schedule appears.

Day	Suggested Focus
Thursday	Walk the whole floor once. Mark booths, note prices and attend one or two seminars.
Friday	Return to your top booths and buy. Inspect auction items before the afternoon sales start.
Saturday	Bid on remaining items, collect purchases and check the giveaway drawing before you leave.

This order works well for a simple reason. On Thursday you learn the market. On Friday you act on what you learned. Finally, Saturday gives you a second chance at auction bargains.

Exhibitors and Vendors

Exhibitor numbers vary by source. The 2027 visitor listing mentions more than 430 vendors. The 2026 event page lists over 250 vendors and says there were more than ever. Earlier reports mention up to 430 booths in the tool area and 106 in the health area. Either way, the floor is large enough to fill a full day.

Vendors come from northern Indiana, from across the Midwest and from farther away. Past exhibitors have traveled from California, Florida and Rhode Island. One software company, Microvellum, ran live demonstrations at booth 132 in 2025. That shows how the show welcomes both hardware and digital suppliers.

Types of Exhibitors

• Tool manufacturers who show new models
• Suppliers of blades, bits, abrasives and fasteners
• Local dealers who sell new and closeout stock
• Used and reconditioned tool sellers
• Software and design firms for shops and cabinet makers
• Small makers of hand tools and shop accessories

Finding the Exhibitor Directory

The organizers had not released the 2027 exhibitor directory when we wrote this guide. Check the official expo website closer to the show. A floor map usually appears at the entrance as well. Take a photo of it with your phone, so you can plan your route.

Tools and Equipment

The range of goods is wide. You can walk from a table of chisels to a row of cabinet saws in a few minutes. Below is a look at the main categories.

Hand Tools

Planes, chisels, saws, squares, clamps and measuring tools fill many booths. Collectors especially enjoy this area. Old and unusual pieces appear each year. Additionally, small shops sell handmade items you rarely see in big stores.

Power Tools

Drills, sanders, routers, nailers and cordless kits draw steady crowds. Dealers often discount last year’s models. Therefore, bargain hunters should arrive early on the first day.

Woodworking Machinery

Because the show started with a woodworking focus, this category is strong. Look for table saws, band saws, jointers, planers, lathes and dust collectors. Both new and used machines appear, and some sell at the auction.

Industrial and Metalworking Equipment

Auction listings cover metalworking gear as well. Expect welders, drill presses, grinders and shop fixtures. Business owners sometimes sell full shop liquidations, which gives buyers a rare chance to pick up many items at once.

Construction Equipment

Carpenters and builders can find job-site tools, ladders, compressors, generators and trailers. In addition, many vendors sell fasteners, fittings and safety gear in bulk.

Equipment Auction

The auction is a major reason people come. It runs alongside the trade floor, so you can shop and bid on the same trip.

Auction Format

Up to six rings sell at once. Each ring has its own auctioneer and its own crowd. Items range from a single hand tool to a whole shop. In 2026, the auction covered woodworking, construction, metalworking and carpentry equipment. It started with reconditioned tools on Friday, which sold for about one to two hours. The main sales ran Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.

Bidding Process

• Walk the rings early and inspect items that interest you.
• Register for a bidder number at the auction office if the staff asks for one.
• Set a top price for each item before bidding starts.
• Raise your number clearly when the auctioneer asks for a bid.
• Watch the ring closely, because sales move fast.
• Pay at the office and collect your items at the pickup area.

Auction Rules to Know

Rules can change each year, so read the terms at the auction office. In general, sales are final. Buyers take items as they find them. Therefore, you should test and inspect before you bid. Payment terms and pickup deadlines also matter. Ask the staff about accepted payment types and about help with heavy loads.

Selling at the Auction

The auction also welcomes sellers. In 2026, the staff accepted consignments Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They did not take drop-offs after 4:30 p.m. on Friday or on Saturday. If you plan to sell, call Robert Mishler at 260-336-9750 to confirm the 2027 deadline.

Live Demonstrations

Demonstrations help buyers judge a tool before they spend money. The organizers describe the event as a place to see and test products. Many vendors cut, sand, drill or measure right at their booths. As a result, you can judge speed, noise and finish quality in person.

Hands-on time matters most with machines. A saw can look perfect in a photo and still feel wrong in your hands. Likewise, a dust collector may seem quiet online but run loud in a small shop. Seeing the machine run solves these doubts quickly.

Vendors may not publish a demo list. Therefore, ask each vendor when they plan to run a session. Smaller booths often fit demonstrations around the crowd. If you want to try a tool yourself, ask politely and bring your own safety glasses.

Workshops and Education

Seminars are a strong feature of the show. In 2026, the program ran about five to seven sessions each day, usually one per hour. Speakers included experienced woodworkers and shop owners such as Dave Kauffman and Dennis Hershberger. One seminar came from the software company Koble Systems.

Topics in past years touched on shop setup, tool use, finishing and business growth. Organizers have not confirmed the 2027 speaker list. However, the seminar format has stayed steady for many years, so expect a similar plan.

• Arrive ten minutes early for popular sessions.
• Bring a notebook, because speakers share many small tips.
• Ask questions after each talk, since presenters often stay nearby.

The show also hosts a health and wellness expo with its own seminars. It is a separate program, but one ticket covers both sections.

Featured Brands

Organizers had not shared a brand list for 2027. Exhibitor lists change every year, and we do not want to guess at names. Instead, we can tell you how to find the brands you want.

• Visit the official expo website and look for the exhibitor page.
• Call the expo office to ask whether a brand plans to attend.
• Ask local dealers in your area, because many send staff to the show.
• Check the floor map at the door and mark your top booths first.

Large manufacturers sometimes appear through local dealers rather than with their own booths. Consequently, a brand may be present even if its name is not on a sign. Ask dealers what they stock before you cross a brand off your list.

Buying Opportunities

New and Used Equipment

Shoppers can buy new tools from dealers and used tools from sellers and auction rings. New tools bring a warranty and full support. Used tools cost less, but they need a closer look. Reconditioned tools sit between the two. Sellers clean, repair or tune them, so they often work like new.

Type	Price Level	Main Benefit	Main Risk
New	Highest	Warranty and support	Higher cost
Reconditioned	Medium	Good value and ready to use	Limited return options
Used at auction	Lowest	Big savings	Sales are final
Closeout stock	Low to medium	Last year’s models at a discount	Fewer color or size choices

Comparing Prices

Walk the full floor before you buy. Prices for the same item can differ from booth to booth. Therefore, note prices on your phone as you go. Compare them with online prices, and include shipping, tax and return rules in your math.

Buyer Considerations

• Measure your shop space and power supply before you buy big machines.
• Check each used machine for wear, rust, cracks and missing guards.
• Plug in the tool if the seller allows it.
• Plan how to move heavy items home, and bring straps and help.
• Ask for receipts and written terms.

Who Should Attend?

The show suits many kinds of visitors. Each group finds something different.

Visitor	Why Attend
Contractors	Stock up on job-site tools and meet suppliers
Mechanics and fabricators	Find shop equipment and metalworking gear
Manufacturers and shop owners	Source machines, parts and software
Woodworkers	Compare machines, learn new methods and buy hardwood supplies
Collectors	Hunt rare hand tools and vintage pieces
DIY enthusiasts	Learn from speakers and buy at friendly prices

Families are welcome too. Because children under 16 entered free in 2026, many parents bring young helpers. In addition, retirees who love tools often make the trip a yearly habit.

Travel Information

Getting There

Shipshewana sits in LaGrange County in northern Indiana, close to the Michigan border. Most visitors drive. Elkhart, Goshen and Middlebury lie nearby. South Bend International Airport is the closest major airport, roughly an hour away by car. Check a map app for current drive times.

Parking

The 2026 event pages do not describe parking. However, the Michiana Event Center is a large venue with lots around the building. Plan to arrive early on Friday and Saturday morning, when auction crowds peak. Bring a trailer or truck only if you plan to buy large items. Ask the staff where loading takes place.

Hotels

Shipshewana has inns and motels, and nearby towns offer more rooms. Winter is a quieter travel season, but the expo weekend still draws crowds. Therefore, book early. The Shipshewana visitor center can help with lodging questions at 260-768-4008. Also look at hotels in Elkhart, Goshen and Middlebury if local rooms sell out.

Restaurants and Food

The venue offers on-site food service, according to earlier reports. In addition, the town of Shipshewana has many restaurants known for home-style meals and baked goods. Expect lines at midday on show days. Eat early or late to save time.

Transportation Options

• Drive your own car or truck for the most flexibility.
• Carpool with friends to split fuel and hotel costs.
• Rent a car at the South Bend airport if you fly in.
• Check winter road reports before you leave, since January weather can change fast.

Visitor Tips

Prepare Before You Go

• Check the official site for final hours and ticket news.
• Write a list of the tools you want, with your price limits.
• Charge your phone and bring a power bank.
• Save the venue and visitor center phone numbers.

Set a Budget

Decide how much you can spend before you arrive. Add a small cushion for surprises. Cash helps with small booths. Moreover, a set budget keeps you calm when the auctioneer speeds up.

Budget Item	What to Plan
Admission	A few dollars per adult, based on 2026
Tools and machines	Your main spending limit, set before you arrive
Auction cushion	Extra funds for a lucky find
Fuel, lodging and meals	Trip costs that add up over three days
Moving costs	Straps, rentals or help for heavy items

Prepare to Bid

Visit the rings before bidding starts. Inspect the items and write down lot details. Decide your highest price and stick to it. If a price goes past your limit, let the item go. Another good deal will appear soon.

What to Bring

• Warm clothes and comfortable shoes
• Cash, cards and a photo ID
• A tape measure, flashlight and small magnet for checking metal
• A rolling cart or sturdy bags
• A notebook and pen
• Straps, blankets and gloves for moving heavy buys

Conclusion

The Midwest Tool Expo & Auction 2027 promises another busy winter show in Shipshewana. It runs January 28 to 30 at the Michiana Event Center. Visitors can expect a huge trade floor, a fast multi-ring auction, free seminars and low admission. The show suits pros, hobbyists and collectors alike.

However, remember that some 2027 details are still pending. Hours for Friday and Saturday, ticket prices, the exhibitor list and the seminar lineup may change. Therefore, check the official sources before you go. Then plan your budget, study the floor map and arrive early. With a little preparation, you can leave with great tools and useful new skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the Midwest Tool Expo & Auction 2027?

The show runs from January 28 to 30, 2027. The visitor site confirms the January 28 opening day.

2. Where does the event take place?

It takes place at the Michiana Event Center, 455 E. Farver Street, Shipshewana, Indiana 46565.

3. How much do tickets cost?

The 2026 price was five dollars, and children aged 15 and under entered free. Organizers had not posted 2027 prices yet.

4. What are the event hours?

Thursday hours for 2027 are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the visitor site. Organizers had not posted Friday and Saturday hours. In 2026, Friday ran 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday ran 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

5. When does the auction start?

In 2026, the auction started at 3:00 p.m. on Friday and 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. Reconditioned tools sold first on Friday. Confirm the 2027 times with the organizers.

6. How many exhibitors attend?

Sources vary. The 2027 listing mentions more than 430 vendors. The 2026 page lists over 250. Either way, expect hundreds of booths.

7. What kinds of tools can I buy?

You can buy hand tools, power tools, woodworking machines, metalworking gear, construction equipment and shop supplies. Both new and used items appear.

8. Can I sell my own tools at the auction?

Yes. The auction takes consignments. In 2026, drop-offs ran Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call Robert Mishler at 260-336-9750 for the 2027 rules.

9. Are there seminars or demonstrations?

Yes. The show has offered free seminars each day, and many vendors demonstrate tools at their booths. Organizers have not confirmed the 2027 speaker list yet.

10. Where can I get the latest information?

Check the Shipshewana visitor site, the Michiana Event Center website and the official expo website. You can also call the expo office at 260-768-3033.

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