When my children were young, they dreaded the holiday traditions I thought they’d love. They hated sitting on Santa’s lap and they cried and screamed on Halloween more than the ghouls did. That’s why I’m glad that Fright Night in Fort Wayne on October 20th has plenty of kid-friendly events earlier in the day.

Take a stroll on the punkin path!

The Pumpkin Zone at the Botanical Conservatory opens at 10 am. There will be pumpkin putt-putt and other games as well as pumpkin crafts. You can get some great ideas from a pumpkin carver, and share the childhood memory of tasting pumpkin seeds with the kids. The outdoor Punkin’ Path is included in admission and is a great photo op! The path will be decorated with pumpkins, gourds, bales of straw—and gnomes! There’s another game for the family. Who can spot the most gnomes on the Punkin’ Path?

The Community Center at 233 W. Main Street opens at 2 pm for the Halloween Haunt. You can play Halloween cornhole, pumpkin bowling and Pick the Pumpkin. The whole family can participate in the skeleton scavenger hunt and watch the kid-friendly Halloween movie. The tweens and teens will love reading the tombstones in the graveyard out in front, and they can use a real coffin for a fun photo op. Admission to the Halloween Haunt is free!

Salomon Farm offers a shopper’s delight!

If you’re a shopper, find some time to stop in at Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Road, sometime between noon and 4 pm for the Handmade Homemade Sale. Farmers, bakers, woodworkers and a variety of hand crafters will be selling their homemade and home-grown goods in the Old Barn. You’ll find quality, unique items and the delicious flavors of the summer at this historic working farm and park.

Learn more about other great activities going on this spooktacular season!

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What better way to explore Fort Wayne than for FREE?

This year’s annual “Be A Tourist In Your Own Hometown!” event takes place Sunday, September 9 from noon to 5 p.m. in the heart of the city. This event is not to be missed. Both visitors and locals alike will enjoy exploring the many museums and attractions Fort Wayne has to offer at no cost.

Participation is easy. Simply pick up a free passport now at any local Fort Wayne Scott’s, Kroger or Tower Bank locations. From out of town? Simply download a printable passport online here. Please note that only one passport is needed for your group or family, making access to these attractions quick and easy.

With your passport in tow, you will have five hours to explore any of the 12 participating attractions and museums on this year’s route, which features locations all close to one another, downtown. Participants this year for Fort Wayne’s event include:

African/African-American Historical Museum
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
Artlink
The Embassy Theatre
Fort Wayne Museum of Art
History Center
Parkview Field
Allen County Courthouse
Historic Fort Wayne (Fort)
The Lincoln Tower
Science Central
Fort Wayne Visitor’s Center

Questions? Feel free to call the Fort Wayne Visitor’s Center at 800.767.7752 or email visitorinfo@visitfortwayne.com.

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Whether you’ve lived in Fort Wayne for 60 years, or 6 months, chances are there is something new to take in. Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown might be your chance to discover (or rediscover) Fort Wayne attractions.

And on Sunday, September 9th, from 12 noon – 5 pm, you can visit 12 of Fort Wayne’s museums and attractions for free!

Here’s how the program works:

1. Pick up a passport at any Fort Wayne Scott’s, Kroger, or Tower Bank location. Or download a one-page passport online.

2. On Sunday, September 9th, you will be able to visit 12 of Fort Wayne’s participating attractions and museums – FOR FREE! Just use your passport to gain free admission to all attractions listed within – one passport good for entire party.

So what can you expect? Participating attractions include African/African-American History Museum, Allen County Courthouse, Artlink, Embassy Theatre, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, History Center, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Parkview Field, Science Central, The Lincoln Tower, Historic Fort Wayne and Visit Fort Wayne Visitors Center.

Insider’s Note: Don’t forget your camera. There will be plenty of photo opps!

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“It’s not too often you get all of this neatness in one location. That’s called nature.” This is a line from the popular YouTube video Nature Walk.  And you can experience some very neat nature at the Foellinger-Freiman Botanical Conservatory.

The Foellinger-Freiman Botanical Conservatory offers Soothing Summer Gardens as a way to get away and relax.

The Botanical Conservatory is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and everyday life. There is no better time to visit the Botanical Conservatory because now through September 15, you can experience Soothing Summer Gardens. The Showcase Garden has been transformed into the center for relaxation. It has been divided into smaller “rooms”. Each room has its own unique character and piece of art for visitors to enjoy. Extra seating has been scattered around the garden to allow for more seating for those who wish to linger and relax a little longer. A water feature has been added to the garden to help visitors relax with the sound of splashing water.

So go ahead. Take some time for yourself, or bring the family, for this relaxing walk through some great gardens at the Botanical Conservatory.

The Botanical Conservatory is located Downtown next to the Embassy Theatre. Hours: Tuesday- Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Thursday 10 am – 8 pm, Sunday Noon – 4 pm. Closed Mondays, New Years Day, and Christmas Day. Admission is $5 for Adults, $3 for children (age 3-17), and FREE for Children 2 and under.

For more information, visit their website.

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School starts soon, but there’s still time to squeeze in great events offered by the Summit City. Most are low cost, too! My top ten suggestions would include:
1. Painting Fun Spot — Paint & Take Art Studio
Indulge your creative side at this studio with more than 1,000 items to paint.! Could be a great family event or place for a birthday party.
10353 Illinois Road
260.616.0350
www.paintingfunspot.com
Note: Coupons are available in the Visit Fort Wayne office for 25% off item first time and out of town guests only. Expires 12/31/12

2. Tekventure Maker Station @ the Allen County Public Library
This is one of the most innovative things I’ve seen the library offer. Several sessions are available through the end of August. Many are free; others charge a fees of $25-$35 for materials.
These free sessions are schedules for August. Look up individual classes for locations:
Building an airplane in my garage
Mini-machining – threading
Eggbot: spherical digital graphics
Digital artist
Build Pneumatic rockets
For more information go to www.tekventure.org or call 260.421.1374. Advance registration required for all workshops due to limited space. Ages 12 to adult.

3. Salomon Farm Park Farmer’s Market (through September 26).
Yummy fresh produce right off the vine! This is a fun place to go to relax and get back to nature. Special note — on August 8 Alan Clayton will provide a demonstration and instruction in Tai Chi.

4. Visit to the Old Fort. Fort Miamis: 1754-1763
Saturday-Sunday, August 25-26. Beginning at 10 a.m. each day the French Marines and British Rangers will show visitors of the 21st century what life is like in the Fort during the 1700s. Talk to French fur traders, Native Americans, civilians, and soldiers. Free. Donations accepted.

Lakeside Park is known for its thousands of beautiful roses.

5. Early morning walk around Lakeside Park.
This is my favorite park. It’s quiet, peaceful and has plenty of space for walkers, bikers, or benches for book readers.

6. Historic walking tour of West Central Neighborhood.
August 16 at 10-11:30. Cost: $2.00
This section of Fort Wayne intrigues me each time I drive past. Now there’s an opportunity to see some of Allen County’s oldest homes, the city’s smallest park, and the home where Hollywood actress Carol Lombard once lived. Reservations required by August 14. call 427.6460.

7. Cheese-making workshop.
Location Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun Street.
You read that right. Learn how to turn milk into creamy cheeses like ricotta and chevre. Age 10-adult. Thursday, August 9 6:30-7:30. Register by August 2. Cost: $7.00.

8. Eat under the awning at Cindy’s Diner.
You may have to watch the weather stations for the right temps, but it will be worth it to observe Fort Wayne from one of its most popular corners.

9. Spike and the Bulldogs concert at Foellinger Theatre. Saturday, August 11 at 8:00 p.m. $5.00 per ticket.
A terrific band playing hits from 1955-1965. Do yourself a favor and go to see them. You’ll have loads of fun!

10. Last but not least – Memories of the King. Saturday, August 25, 8:00 p.m. $5.00
Brent Cooper is the top of Elvis look-alikes and singers. Be sure to see him. You’ll think Elvis is in the house!

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