The historic Embassy Theatre is going Down the Country Line on June 16, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. when it puts a country spin on its annual concert series. AND YOU CAN WIN TICKETS!

See Fort Wayne's favorite bands play country's biggest hits!

The Embassy’s annual concert, Down the Line, was born six years ago to raise funds for the Embassy, and highlight local artists celebrating classic rock music.

Now, the Embassy is showcasing an amazing cast of local country talent as they pay tribute to some of country music’s biggest stars, old and new.

The Twang Gang, a band that’s resume includes opening for Kellie Pickler and Brantley Gilbert will bring the Embassy the hits from country megastar Keith Urban. American Idol alum and country pop star Carrie Underwood’s hits will be brought to the historic Embassy stage by Staci Stork and Scarlett.  Local duo Allan and Ashcraft will welcome summer to Fort Wayne with the island tunes of country star Kenny Chesney.

Down the Line 6 performers Sugar Shot will take the Embassy stage again and give the crowd their musical interpretation of country tough-girl Miranda Lambert’s hits. To round out this healthy dose of country, Huckleberry Blue will put all six of its members to work bringing alive the sounds of country legend Hank Williams, Sr. It is only fitting that Huckleberry Blue play the bittersweet and melancholy sounds of Hank, Sr. since this will be the band’s final stage show as a group.

This line-up is a excellent representation of the great musical talent in the Fort Wayne area. I was lucky enough to attend Down the Line 6 and the performances were musically outstanding, visually stimulating (each legendary band was artistically interpreted by University of Saint Francis art students and displayed behind the performers), and all kinds of fun. I expect nothing less from Down the Country Line. If you enjoy music, then this is an event you do not want to miss. Come see all the musical talent that Fort Wayne has to offer. I will be there.

All ages are welcome and tickets are available for $10 in advance and for $12 the week of the show. Tickets can be purchased at the Embassy Theatre box office, Ticketmaster.com, and all other Ticketmaster locations.

And, to win tickets, simply email your name and email address to visitorinfo@visitfortwayne.com with DOWN THE COUNTRY LINE in the subject line!

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A regular question that we receive in the Visitors Center is from people who have about an hour in downtown Fort Wayne before they have to leave town and want to make the most of it. Here are a few ideas to help you squeeze in every minute of fun that you can!

Outdoor Recreation
Parkview Field, home to the Fort Wayne TinCaps – Take a walk around the concourse or stop at The Orchard for a few souvenirs (or better yet, a t-shirt or hat for yourself).
Rivergreenway - There is a great 2-mile loop called the Circle of Hope, which will take you through downtown Fort Wayne. Points of interest include Headwaters Park, Lawton Park and the Historic Wells Street Bridge.
Historic Fort Wayne – Although the “Fort” doesn’t have a re-enactment every weekend, you can walk around at anytime, but you will not have access to the interior of the buildings.

Check out the Fort Wayne Firefighter's Museum: Weekdays from 10am-4pm, and Saturdays 10am-3pm.

Museums
Cathedral Museum – See religious artifacts dating back to the 13^th century. (Tuesday-Friday from 10am-2pm)
Fort Wayne Firefighter’s Museum – Take in items that were once used by the Fort Wayne Fire Department; there is even fire truck on the first floor. (Weekdays 10am-4pm, Saturdays 10am-3pm, closed Wednesday and Sunday)

Art
Fort Wayne Museum of Art – Tour permanent collections and enjoy various exhibitions. (Tuesday-Saturday 11am-6pm, Thursday 11am-8pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm)
Artlink – A visual art gallery, emphasizing the Greater Fort Wayne area. (Tuesday-Saturday 12pm-6pm, Thursday 12pm-8pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm)

**If you have more time (2-3 hours), check out African/African-American Historical Society, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, The History Center or Science Central.

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When you think of exciting RV camping locations, does Fort Wayne, Indiana come to mind? It should win a spot near the top of your list, because the things you’ll find to do with your family in Fort Wayne are the stuff of great vacation memories. To help you plan your trip, here are five ideas for creating a Fort Wayne adventure for the whole family:

Chain O’Lakes State Park, located just thirty miles north of Fort Wayne, features eight small fishing lakes and lots of outdoor adventure. You and the kids can hike the trails, canoe the waterways and fish the lakes for bass and bluegill. There’s also a nice campground that makes it easy for RV camping families to settle in for a comfortable stay.

Another delightful spot formed by rolling hills surrounding a tree-lined lake is Ouabache State Park, found about thirty miles south of Fort Wayne. Large and smallmouth bass, crappie and walleye are favorites with fishing fans on the park’s Kunkel Lake. Ride or hike the trails through the pines; this state park is scenic year-round. A large campground gives Fort Wayne area campers a reason to stretch out the vacation.

Like to combine family vacations with a little learning? The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, a lush spot in the heart of Fort Wayne, features both indoor and outdoor gardens for your RV camping crew to explore. The little ones will love the Discovery Gallery, where stories are read by volunteers and the trees can talk! Definitely a fun place to stop for nature-loving families.

And while you’re in Fort Wayne, look to the rivers for hiking and biking opportunities. The three rivers that flow through the city are lined by the Fort Wayne Rivergreenway. Twenty miles of joined trails run near historic sites like Johnny Appleseed’s gravesite and the historic Wells Street Bridge. Learn more and discover the trail right for you here.

One more place to take the kids for a day of history and fun is Historic Fort Wayne, located at the junction of the St. Marys, St. Joseph and Maumee Rivers. The original fort defended early settlers against tribes of Native Americans friendly to the British military. The replica fort now entertains and educates with re-enactments, special events and permanent exhibits on both early settlers and Native American tribes.

Doesn’t all this sound like the beginning of a memorable vacation? Plan to spend some time RV camping in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It’s an adventure the entire family will enjoy.

About the Author:

Joe Laing is the Marketing Director for El Monte RV Rentals. You can see more great RV vacation ideas in their Monty’s Musings RV Travel Blog and be sure to check out their RV Camping Pictures.

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The Indiana portion of The Lincoln Highway is a lovely drive and trip down memory lane!

The historic Indiana Lincoln Highway Byway is one of the featured trails in the new 2012 Indiana Travel Map. The Lincoln Highway was the first named automobile road that crossed the United States of America from coast to coast. The Lincoln Highway was named an official state byway in 2011.

The highway, named in honor of our nation’s 16^th President, was originally formed in 1913 and spans across the country for a grand total of 5,869 miles. In Indiana, the highway travels through more than 40 towns and completes the stretch from Pennsylvania to Ohio.

The city of Fort Wayne is one of the contributors who helped make it possible for the road to become a byway and be featured in the travel map. Along the original 1915 route through Fort Wayne, there can be seen red, white and blue signs marking the byway.

If you are looking to take a drive, you can learn more online and then hop on the historic Lincoln Highway Byway and follow the road markers through Fort Wayne and rediscover what was known as the “Main Street Across America” long before interstate highways were born!

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If we took a poll, most people who live in Fort Wayne would probably not be able to name many of the military skirmishes that took place in the area 200+ years ago. Members of Historic Fort Wayne, Inc. want to change that.

Historic Fort Wayne brings Fort Wayne history to life.

A series of monthly special events are planned in 2012 that should convince anyone that while it may cost more to live in the Summit City than 200 years ago, it’s much safer and saner than it was then.

The next event at the Old Fort is the Muster on the St. Mary’s. Members of the Historic Old Fort, Inc. and Friends of the Fort will be costumed and ready to depict the lives of soldiers and countrymen from 1812. Visitors are encouraged to discuss living conditions, commerce, family life and health with the re-enactors while strolling among areas of the fort. Special areas of the Fort will be available for the public, including the Doctor’s office, the Officers’ Quarters and the Village. (When special events are not planned at the Fort, these areas are typically off-limits to visitors.) Moderately priced souvenirs can be purchased at the Kekionga Mercantile.

Upcoming events include a re-enactment of the Revolutionary War in July and a siege of the Miamis in August. The 1812 Siege of Fort Wayne in September promises to be exciting!

Muster on the St. Mary’s

Saturday, May 19, 2012 11:00 am-8:00 pm
Sunday, May 20, 2012 11:00 am-4:00 pm

Admission of a free will donation is appreciated.

Historic Old Fort
1201 Spy Run

Directions:
The Old Fort is located over the bridge on the north side of Spy Run Ave. Go to Fourth Street and park at Lawton Park. The fort can be reached after a short stroll down the River Greenway.

For additional information contact Historic Fort Wayne, Inc. at 260.460.4763 or visit their website.

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