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We asked our bloggers about their favorite Fort Wayne festivals. Here’s what they had to share:
Three Rivers Festival offers something fun and unique to experience every day. We come downtown to enjoy the festival nearly every day that week! – Heather Schoegler
Johnny Appleseed Festival – Kayleen Reusser
We never miss Greek Fest. It’s a culinary heaven for foodies like us and the best place to get authentic Greek fare for a reasonable price. – Amber Recker
This post is part of a series highlighting the Your Story. Made Here. videos recently produced by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership. These videos share the stories of Northeast Indiana, and our many strengths. Click here to view the rest of the series.
When you think of Northeast Indiana what do you think of? For many it’s farming, manufacturing, possibly the Amish community, and maybe beautifully patterned handbags from Vera Bradley. Chances are you don’t think of Northeast Indiana as a cultural hub for the arts. Let’s change that.
When I moved to Fort Wayne from the south suburbs of Chicago, I thought I was moving to just another Midwestern small town. I practically expected cows to be wandering down Main Street. I’m only half kidding. What I found when I moved here was much more culturally diverse than I could have ever dreamed. Within a few months of exploring this great community I found myself telling friends back home that Fort Wayne had everything a much larger city had to offer with better accessibility. I won’t compare us to Chicago or Indianapolis because we’re our own city with our own attributes, but I will say that the opportunities are just as plentiful and are often more affordable and accessible here.
“The Drinkers” by Fort Wayne artist Terry Ratliff was purchased at Taste of the Arts 2012
Taste of the Arts is one of our favorite events every year. Living downtown, it’s a short walk from home and provides great food, entertainment, and the chance to experience beautiful art. With over 30 restaurants providing delicious food, decadent desserts (I highly recommend the Purple Mountain cheesecake) and wonderful beverages you’ll get a taste of what Fort Wayne’s culinary scene has to offer. More than two dozen fine art vendors, some nationally recognized, participated in 2012 with the hopes of bringing more in for 2013 In addition dozens of art groups perform throughout the day highlighting groups such as the Fort Wayne Ballet, Northeast Indiana P.O.E.T.S, and the Old Crown Brass Band.
While Taste of the Arts only last for one day, Fort Wayne’s love for the arts is showcased throughout the year. The Arts Campus in the Fort Wayne Cultural District (the east side of downtown Fort Wayne) includes Freimann Square Park, Arts United Center, The Auer center, The History Center, the Hall Community Arts Center, the Rankin House, Barr Street Market, and the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. This campus is the realization of a Fort Wayne vision 50 years in the making. It is devoted to arts and culture and is the artistic foundation for activities throughout the region.
Cultural Arts don’t just exist on the Arts campus. It exists throughout the city on campuses such as IPFW and University of St Francis offering a large variety of cultural exhibits throughout the year. Galleries such as the Castle Gallery and the Orchard Gallery of Fine Art are also area favorites. Wunderkammer Company is one of Fort Wayne’s newest spaces to view contemporary art with the mission of “revitalizing communities through contemporary art.”
So the next time you think of Fort Wayne think of the arts and culture available right where you never would have expected it.
This summer, not one, not two, but THREE color runs will take place in our city, giving runners and walkers ample opportunity to get crazy with color. All three events are 5k’s and feature non-toxic powdered paint that is blasted at participants throughout the race. The only major differences between the various events are the dates and locations.
The Color Vibe, June 29- Allen County Memorial Coliseum, www.thecolorvibefortwayne.com, registration is $43
The Color Run, July 27- Parkview Field, www.thecolorrun.com, registration is $40 for individual runners, $35 for team runners
Color Me Radd, August 24- The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, www.colormeradd.com, registration cost is $35
Last summer, fellow Insider Heather and I participated in The Color Run in Indianapolis and had a blast. Described as “the happiest 5k on the planet,” the event delivered energy, camaraderie, and loads of color. From seniors to children and everyone in between, participants ran or walked at their own pace and enjoyed being blasted by color in the various color zones. By the time we finished the race, we were covered from head to toe with vibrant color. I even had some in my ears! You can expect the same kind of fun at the events in Fort Wayne this summer.
No matter your physical abilities, you can participate in these events. Most participants are most concerned with getting as colorful as they can than their pace per mile. In fact, none of the races even record official times.
So grab your friends and sign up for one or all of these races. You’ll have the time of your life.
With Memorial Day Weekend fast approaching, it’s time to make plans for celebrating the holiday. You may have family visiting Fort Wayne, or may be taking advantage of the long weekend and are visiting from another city. Either way, we found some of the best free activities around the city to honor those who have served our country. If you are planning to visit other attractions around the city, be sure to check to see if they will be open or have different hours of operation.
In the morning, show support for the community and veterans by bringing the family to a Memorial Day Parade, beginning at 11 a.m. at Parnell Avenue and State Boulevard. The parade route ends at the Memorial Coliseum, at which time there will be a memorial service.
Baer Field Heritage Air Park
For the plane enthusiasts, the newly-opened Baer Field Heritage Air Park has planes from the 122nd Fighter Wing from 1947 to today. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the park that shows the history of Baer Field as well. There is a picnic area and free parking. Other memorials in the area are the Korean War Memorial on 2122 O’Day Road and the WWI Memorial on Randall Street east of Glasgow Avenue.
In the evening, attend a free screening of Honor Flight at Parkview Field at 6 p.m. The film describes the creation of honors flights, free trips to the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., for veterans. Five hundred veterans have been invited to attend a special screening of this moving film at Parkview Field. The premiere of the Honor Flight was also in a baseball field, and attendance at the event broke the Guinness World Record for amount of people at a film opening.
You can also read more about other fun ways to spend your weekend here. Enjoy!
We’re inching closer and closer to one of Fort Wayne’s most exciting sporting events this summer. We’re talking about the 2013 Hotel Fitness Championship, of course.
As Indiana’s biggest and best golf tournament this year, the Hotel Fitness Championship is expecting to draw fans from across the Hoosier state and many from across state lines. If you haven’t purchased a ticket yet, you can buy them here.
Visit Fort Wayne had the opportunity to speak with someone very familiar with professional golf and the state of Indiana – Hoosier native and VP of Business Affairs for the PGA TOUR Tim Benton. Benton, a native of Richmond, Indiana, spoke to Visit Fort Wayne about several interesting facets of the Hotel Fitness Championship, Sycamore Hills, Fort Wayne and why the PGA TOUR chose Fort Wayne to host professional event over several hundreds of cities and golf courses.
Tim Benton
There are hundreds of golf courses in America. Why did the PGA TOUR select Sycamore Hills as one of the four Web.com Tour Finals sites?
Benton: Sycamore Hills is an outstanding, highly competitive golf course and will look superb as we televise the Hotel Fitness Championship around the world. We’re thrilled the ownership and membership is hosting this event, and we’re excited to showcase such a great course to a worldwide TV audience. We think the TOUR players will thoroughly enjoy the course, and the fans will get a great opportunity to see TOUR players up close and personal.
Explain the Web.com Tour, its history and close ties to the PGA TOUR.
B: The Web.com Tour is owned and operated by the PGA TOUR and is a key part of our organization. It was the vision of former PGA TOUR Commissioner Deane Beman who brought the concept to life when the first event was played in 1990. Since then, we’ve grown into one of the best Tours in the world with 3 out of 4 players on the PGA TOUR today having come through the Web.com Tour.
For golf fans and non-golf fans, why should someone attend the Hotel Fitness Championship? What will they expect?
B: First, this is one of two official events of the PGA TOUR in Indiana (the other is in Evansville), so this is a chance to see and experience PGA TOUR level golf. This event will attract PGA TOUR players ranking No. 126-200 on the money list playing alongside players No. 1-75 from the Web.com Tour. Fans will see world class golf and support an event that provides net proceeds to a variety of charities.
The Hotel Fitness Championship is offering individuals a chance to volunteer during the tournament. What are the benefits of working a golf event?
B: A volunteer gets an “insider” view of the golf tournament, working with the Tour team and helping in a variety of ways from scoring, to marshaling and helping players as they come to Fort Wayne for the first time.
Who are some of the famous Web.com Tour alumni?
B: Considering that 3 out of every 4 PGA TOUR players are alums, there a lot to choose from, but Webb Simpson, Zach Johnson, Jim Furyk, Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner and Richmond, Ind. alum Bo Van Pelt come to mind. Ernie Els, John Daly and many others have all played this Tour over the years, as it has a special place in the career path of many players.
Talk about Fort Wayne as a community. What do you enjoy about the city?
B: So far, I’ve been pretty focused on the business of the event, but have found time to visit Chop’s restaurant a few times. What stands out, though, is the good old fashioned Hoosier hospitality and the great people that make Fort Wayne such a warm and enjoyable place.
You’re an Indiana native. What makes golf special in this state?
B: Yes, I grew up in Richmond and graduated from DePauw, so I’ve seen a lot of this state over the years. There are so many great courses in Indiana, and we’re glad to have played some of the very, very best with TOUR events in Evansville at Victoria National; Indianapolis at Crooked Stick; and now in Fort Wayne with the Hotel Fitness Championship. I have to say, though, that the course in Richmond, Forest Hills CC, is a lot of fun to play and our kids have loved playing there when we visit family.
Anything else you’d like to add?
B: The PGA TOUR is very appreciative of this event coming together. In particular, we’d like to thank Bruce Dye for his commitment to making this event so strong, the Western Golf Association for working closely with us on all aspects and Sycamore Hills for all they are doing to prepare for this event. It is a team effort and we’re glad to be part of such a great team in Fort Wayne. We’re hoping the fans will enjoy the show!
2013 Hotel Fitness Championship Website
Buy Tickets
Volunteer Registration
Sycamore Hills Website
