Posted Under "Fall Festivities"

Fort Wayne’s historic Fort is a historic educational center for Northeast Indiana, highlighting and specializing in the eras from the Native American Culture to the Civil War. Located over the bridge as you are going north on Spy Run Ave, the Old Fort is an attraction you won’t want to miss! Though it stands as a tribute to history every day, my family enjoyed a special “Fall Festival and Ghost Tours” event that took place October 22nd! We had a spook-tacular time!

This replica of the original fort, rich in it’s history of battles and action during the War of 1812, is located on the land where the Native Americans once stood and fought….and is said to have it’s own resident ghost!

Many people claim to have experienced paranormal activity while during reenactments taken place at The Fort, and it is especially believed to be haunted by  Lt. Philip Ostander, who was in charge of the fort after William Henry Harrison assigned him to protect it. Dying mysteriously, Lt. Ostander’s death records remain a mystery, and research has turned up pages found torn out of the orderly book concerning his death. Spoooooky!!!

Below are the additional claims of activity from ighost.org

• Footsteps heard upstairs when no one is up there.
• A strong smell of body odor and cigar smoke.
• Doors opening and closing.
• When a historical re-enactor didn’t ask for permission to enter the Lt. Ostrander’s quarters, his hat was flipped off his head by an unseen force.
• Shadow figures walking the grounds.
• Knocking on the walls.
• A re-enactor claims to have seen a full body apparition of Lt. Ostrander picking up a flag on the table and then disappearing, as well as a bottle being lifted off a table, examined, and replaced, by unseen forces.
• Faces appearing in the windows.
• Orbs of light seen by the naked eye moving around the fort.

…if you weren’t able to experience this howling good time, never fear! There’s always opportunities to visit the Old Fort any day for a unique and exciting time rediscovering our local history!

For more information or to arrange your visit:

1201 Spy Run Ave

Fort Wayne, IN 46805

(260) 437-2836

www.oldfortwayne.org

Jair, of George's La Baguette Bakery, displays a traditional sugar skull

Dia de los Muertos is one of my favorite holidays and one, which I think, should be more universally adopted. I remember learning about it in elementary school (yes, my school was that awesome – go Koala’s!) and it just struck a chord in my soul. Since then, I’ve always been aware of this holiday and eventually started celebrating it myself. Dia de los Muertos is a beautiful way to honor family and celebrate the lives of those who have gone before us.

Dia de los Muertos takes place annually on November 1-2, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. The true meaning of this holiday is to gather with friends and family to pray for and remember loved ones who have passed away. It originated and is celebrated most strongly in Mexico but also recognized in Europe and other countries around the globe.

Dia de los Muertos dates back thousands of years to Aztec cultures. Pre-Hispanic people even celebrated their ancestors by keeping their actual skulls around as trophies to display during rituals symbolizing death and rebirth. Personally, I’m okay with that tradition staying in the history books.

Fast-forward to the twenty first century and you’ll find the holiday is thriving, having evolved with modern culture. Families go to cemeteries to be with departed souls. There they build private altars consisting of favorite foods and beverages (of the deceased) as well as photos and memorabilia. In modern day society, many celebrants also build these altars in their homes. This is especially true here in Fort Wayne where early November weather isn’t exactly picnic worthy. Darn that pesky equator.

The thing I love about this holiday is the joyous tone. It’s all very colorful and positive; remembering the life and celebrating the good things of our deceased friends and family.

Delicious pan de muerto (bread of the dead) at George's La Baguette Bakery

Festive Traditions

• Flowers: Orange marigolds are used as they’re thought to attract souls of the dead
• Sugar skulls – gifts that can be given to both the living and the dead
• Pan de muerto – a sweet bread made in a variety of shapes
• Lighted candles
• Dance to honor deceased relatives
• Picnic blankets at cemeteries and eat favorite foods of loved ones
• Build altars at homes

Regardless of your background, Dia de los Muertos can be a wonderful holiday to adopt. Celebrate with us right here in Fort Wayne, Indiana!

• Come downtown to our newly renovated Fort Wayne Museum of Art and join the artistic celebrations.
  • Day of the Dead Celebration / Dia de los Muertos Celebracion
    October 29, 2011 (4:00 – 7:00 pm)
    FWMoA, 311 East Main Street, 46802
    Features live music, poetry, traditional Mexican dance and costume. Of course, Mexican food, tequila and cerveza will be on hand too.
  • Check out the popular Day of the Dead Exhibition currently on display through Nov 5.

• Enter your own artwork and/or enjoy others’ at the Continuum Art Gallery downtown Fort Wayne for their Day of the Dead Installation. The exhibit will be on display from November 18 – December 3.
• Create your own altar at home using pictures, candles, flowers and other meaningful objects.
• Get supplies – including delicious baked goods – at the mouth-watering George’s La Baguette Bakery (2021 Broadway, Fort Wayne, Indiana)

Back in the 1970′s a popular pastime for American teens was to attend a screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” every weekend.  Those days may be gone, but the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory is bringing the cult classic to a new generation of viewers. Join in the fun as part of the Downtown Improvement District’s 4th annual “Fright Night Downtown” weekend on October 22.

Celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Botanical Conservatory.

“Let’s do the time warp agaaaaain!” Costumes and props are welcome. Don’t forget your toast!

Doors open at 8 pm outside on the terrace (weather permitting-dress accordingly). Refreshments will be available for purchase. Children under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. No reservations necessary. Admission is $2 adults, $1 children through age 17. Disclaimer: this movie is participatory in tradition and content may not be suitable for younger audiences.

Click here to see a promotional video that will give you a taste of the Rocky Horror experience!

In search of the Great Pumpkin? You just may find it at one of Allen County’s You-Pick Pumpkin Patches!

Take your pick of the patch!

Head on over to Degrandchamp’s Pumpkin Patch, located at 3737 Dicke Road in Fort Wayne, for an assortment of you-pick pumpkins. Little ones will enjoy being able to pluck the perfect pumpkin right off the vine at this adorable patch! Pre-picked pumpkins and other seasonal produce are available, as well. (Grab a pumpkin for each person in your family and see who can carve the most creative Jack-o’-lantern!) Degrandchamp’s is open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, call 260-436-4359.

Or, plan a visit to Hilger Family Farm, located at 5534 Butt Road in Fort Wayne. You and your family can head right out to the fields and search for the plumpest pumpkins in the patch! Pre-picked pumpkins are also available. While you’re there, you can also enjoy hayrides, pony rides and a play area with mazes and swings. Fall decorations, mums and other food items are available for purchase, too. Hilger Family Farm is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. beginning Sept. 24 and running through the end of October. For more information, look for “Hilger Family Farm” on Facebook or call 260-625-3467.

These are just two of my favorite pumpkin patches – are there any others that you would recommend?

There’s still time to register for the 12th Annual River City Rat Race — a must attend event for any runners visiting the Summit City this fall. Enjoy the season’s change of colors and a crisp breeze as you run through the streets of Fort Wayne.

Hundreds attend this festive annual race

The Rat Race, for short, takes athletes through Fort Wayne’s historic neighborhoods. This year’s event is on Sunday, October 23 and features both a 10K and 5K. Both runners and walkers are welcome to participate.The shotgun start is downtown, where you will be sure to see the rat himself, as well as fellow participants, some of which dress in Halloween costumes.

Racers will then head into the Lakeside neighborhood just north of downtown and enjoy the sights of some of Fort Wayne’s most notable homes. Runner’s World magazine writer Hal Higdon himself has described this course as “One of the most scenic 10K’s I’ve ever run.”

The race ends outside the Historic Old Fort

The finish line is right outside of the Historic Old Fort, a recreation of a fort that once stood at the junction of the three rivers in the 1800s. Athletes will receive a post-race meal as part of their entry fee, along with goodie bags and a shirt.

Mark your fall race calendar with the River City Rat Race and begin planning your next Fort Wayne venture around the event! Hundreds participate in this annual race, making it an earmark of the northeastern Indiana road racing scene.

Registration and additional information, including course maps, are available online. Pre-registration is required and is available through October 16.