The unofficial kick off of summer, Memorial Day weekend, is right around the corner.  You’re planning to enjoy a little time away from work, celebrating what it means to be an American.  Bring on the brats, beverages, and burgers! In between those cookouts we have some great events for you to check out that weekend.

Start your holiday weekend a little early with these events on Friday:

“Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles” at Foellinger Outdoor Theater.  You’ll be singing along with your favorite hits like “Get over it”, “Take it Easy” and “Hotel California”.  Tickets are just $13.

Tincaps take on South Bend Silver Hawks.  Go for the game and stay for the fireworks that light up the downtown sky. The first pitch will be thrown at 7:05 at Parkview Field.  Tickets start at $5.

“Wild Minds: What Animals Really Think” will give you and your kids insight into what your pets are thinking. This exhibit takes place at Science Central and runs from April 19 – September 8.  Admission starts at $7.

Enjoy the first day of your long weekend with these events on Saturday:

Fort4Fitness CycleFest provides a family-friendly environment for bicycle riders to enjoy the sights of Fort Wayne. Events will start from One Summit Square and will offer 3 different distances for riders to choose from.  Cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 7-12.

Take in the arts with exhibits at various museums and galleries around Fort Wayne.  The 33^rd Annual National Print Exhibition and the HALO Project and Ceramic Wall Work exhibit will both take place at Artlink Contemporary Art Gallery.  Additional exhibits include Live2Love at Northside Galleries and Afros: A Celebration of Natural Hair by Michael July at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art.

Honor our troops and veterans at the Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day (ARMAD) “A Tribute to Those Who Serve” at Parkview Memorial Regional Hospital Park.  The event will take place from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.  The public is welcome

If you’re not exhausted from Friday and Saturday, check out these events on Sunday:

Butterflies with an African Beat is at the Botanical Conservatory.  This event runs from April 13-June 7 and is sure to mesmerize visitors.  Admission starts at $3

And of course, be sure to celebrate Memorial Day with a Parade on Monday.

The Memorial Day parade and Ceremony will begin at the corner of State and Parnell at approximately 11 a.m. and end at the Coliseum.  Enjoy this great parade and honor those who have served our great country.

For information on these events, and many more, please check out our detailed Calendar of Events online!

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Japanese Friendship Garden located at 303 E Main St was a gift from Fort Wayne’s sister city, Takaoka, Japan

Japanese culture may not be the first thing you think of when you think about Fort Wayne, but we’re going to change that. The Japanese American Association of Indiana, in partnership with Fort Wayne Dance Collective, Fort Wayne Sister Cities International Inc, Allen County Public Library, and IPFW-Japanese Saturday School will present the 7^th Annual Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival on Sunday May 19.  The beautiful Allen County Public Library’s main branch will be the home of this free event for the public.

The annual spring festival not only celebrates the blooming of Japan’s unofficial national flower, but also celebrates our city’s ties to Japan. Fort Wayne has been a sister city to Takaoka, Japan since 1977 and the US home for many Japanese companies. Opening ceremonies will include Minyo Japanese Folk Dancers, Suzuki Strings playing the Star Spangled Banner and the Japanese National Anthem, as well as an official proclamation from Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry.

Join us May 19 at the Cherry Blossom Fest!

A variety of artists and events will take place at the festival, including a variety of musicians, singers, and dance groups. Arts and crafts of the Japan Marketplace will also be available for your shopping pleasure.  Art contests and costume contests for students wearing costumes depicting their favorite anime character will also take place.  Enjoy the Tastes of Japan with sushi, yakitori, and Japanese goodies.  Hands on demonstrations of Bonsai, Origami, and Japanese Goldfish Catch will also take place throughout the afternoon.

Admission is free for the event and street parking around the library is also free on the weekends. Learn more here.

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Here in Fort Wayne, we love to host a party! Many of those parties take place in the form of festivals. where we celebrate our heritage, our love of certain foods, our traditions, and our community all summer long.  Here’s a list of the great festivals you won’t want to miss this year.

June

Germanfest                            June 2-9                                 Headwaters Park

www.germanfest.org

Locals know that Germanfest kicks off “festival season” in Fort Wayne.  Everyone looks forward to the food, the entertainment, and beverages, and the fun.  It’s what German’s call “Essen, Trinken, und Gemutlichkeit,” or what we here in America call “Eating, Drinking, and having a really good time”.  Not German?  They don’t mind.  Just come on in and join the party.  Admission is $2 from 2-5 p.m. and $5 after 5 p.m. Military personnel with I.D. admitted free of charge.

Ribfest                                    June 13-16                            Headwaters Park

www.bbqribfest.com

Don’t think of Fort Wayne when you think of barbecue   Join us for Ribfest in June and we’ll change your mind.  Bring a hardy appetite and comfortable shoes (you could be in line a while for the good stuff) and see what it’s all about.  Ribfest wraps up on Father’s Day so why not take Dad, which makes it the perfect family day out.  In addition to the ribs they’ll have live rockin’ blues, a little bit of jazz, and a little bit of country music a the main stage.  They call it “the biggest piggin’ out in the park party” for a reason.  Admission is free daily until 5:30 p.m.  After 5:30 admission for adults is $8, $6 for seniors, and $4 for students, military members, fire, and police with proper I.D.

Riverfest                                 June 22                                  IPFW Campus

www.ipfwriverfest.org

At Riverfest we celebrate one of Fort Wayne’s most prominent resources, our Rivers.  A day for families and fun is on tap for anyone who wants to join the party.  If you love sports, art, live music, food, and nature you’ll love this festival that takes place on the IPFW Campus.  Go for a boat ride on the river, participate in the volleyball tournament, or participate in the Riverfest Mud Run 5K.  At the end of the day sit under the stars and enjoy one of the city’s best fireworks displays.  Admission is free.  The festivities start at 9 a.m. and last until midnight.

Buskerfest                              June 29                                  Downtown Fort Wayne

www.downtownfortwayne.com

The art and celebration of the street performer comes alive in downtown Fort Wayne each year at Buskerfest.  Join us for this unique festival in the streets of downtown Fort Wayne.  Whether you’re interested in live music, fire breathers, sword swallowers, snake charmers, poets, magicians, or caricature artists you’ll find something that appeals to you.  Buskerfest promises to give you and your family a festival experience like no other in the area.  Admission to this event is free.

July

Three Rivers Festival            July 12-20                              Headwaters Park

www.threerviersfestival.org

Welcome to Fort Wayne’s biggest summer party! The Three Rivers Festival is a Fort Wayne classic event.  Don’t miss the parade, bed races, concerts, crafters market, river games, or waiter-waitress contest.  This 8 day festival wraps up with the city’s largest fireworks display on Saturday night.  Join in the fun throughout the week.  Admission varies based on the events of the day/evening so be sure to check their website for up to date information.

Pridefest                                July 26-27                              Headwaters Park

www.fwpride.org

Pridefest is not only a celebration of our community but also a celebration of LGBT members of our community.  Celebrate with us in Headwaters Park for two full days of fun and entertainment.  The party starts off with a parade at 11:30 on Saturday celebrating diversity in our great city.  You’ll find family fun in KidSpace, a Cornhole Tournament that includes cash prizes, LGBT friendly businesses, retailers and food concessions.  Various workshops will take place on Saturday also.  Check their website for a complete list of topics and times.  Friday night admission is $3 and Saturday admission is $5.  Kids 12 and under are free both days.

September

Country Fest                          September 21                                   Parkview Field

www.k105fm.com

If you’re a fan of country music, make plans to join us at Country Fest 2013.  It’s a full day of music, food, and fun.  2012 performers included Montgomery Gentry, Lee Brice, and Colt Ford.  While this year’s line up hasn’t been announced yet, we are sure they’re booking acts you won’t want to miss.  Be sure to check their website for tickets as last year’s event sold out.

Johnny Appleseed Festival   September 21-22                 Johnny Appleseed Park

www.johnnyappleseedfest.com

In the pioneer spirit of John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, Fort Wayne celebrates his colorful life spent right here.  He’s known to have plated orchards in Fort Wayne and the surrounding areas in the latter part of his life.  In fact, his gravesite memorial is located in Fort Wayne’s Archer Park not far from the site of the Johnny Appleseed Festival.  You’ll enjoy the best of the pioneer life at this festival complete with the foods that remind you fall is on the way.  Admission is free!

For additional festival and special event information, visit our complete Calendar of Events!

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The newest addition to the Fort Wayne arts scene is the Wunderkammer Company’s downtown gallery.

Wunderkammer Company is a nonprofit organization led by Dan Swartz, a Fort Wayne native and independent curator. Dan has been described by some as an “art instigator,” and that may be true, but at his core he is a driven and dynamic force of nature. You cannot be in Dan’s presence and not be inspired to do or create something. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that the mission for his project is grand and important: to revitalize communities through contemporary art. So far, he is succeeding. The gallery opened in January 2013 and has hosted a number of shows, including Fort Wayne Fringe featuring dance and other performance art.

Wunderkammer Company’s next trifecta of exhibitions includes, “Three Ladies”, “Texted Riot”, and “Not Tara Donovan.”

“Three Ladies” is a historic and educational exhibition honoring the lives and accomplishments of Margaret Ann Keegan, Helene Foellinger, and Madolon “Madge” Rothschild. These three women made crucial and lasting positive contributions the Fort Wayne community during their lives and through their continued charitable spirit once passed.

“Texted Riot” is a group exhibition featuring five artists focusing on text, or written language, in art and “Not Tara Donovan” is as described in the gallery’s release “an installation produced by W< questioning the validity of an art piece when the audience is immediately queued into the processes which took place to create it.” The public is encouraged to contribute to the installation, and is “let in” on the “inside jokes within the contemporary art world.”

Wunderkammer Company is an extraordinary member of the Fort Wayne art community; it will challenge, entertain, and educate all who are open to it. Check out these shows or visit Wunderkammer Company’s Facebook page and learn more.

These three exhibitions opened on Saturday, April 20th, and will continue through May 19th (Texted Riot until May 26th). Wunderkammer is located at 3402 Fairfield Avenue in Fort Wayne. Suggested donation is $2.00.

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When the sun starts shining for days in a row, the breeze doesn’t make you run for your coat, the temperature lets you wear short sleeves, and you can breathe in the smell of flowers is in the air; you know it’s outdoor concert season.

Enjoying a concert in the freedom of the outdoors is a great way to have a little care-free fun with friends, dance and sing along as loud as you want to the music (guilty!) and enjoy the fresh air. Fort Wayne may not have a huge outdoor venue, but we do have the Foellinger Outdoor Theatre, which never fails to bring high quality performances to Fort Wayne without breaking the bank. This summer will be no different! With acts like Chicago, Kansas, Little River Band and America, the Foellinger Theatre summer concert lineup, being tagged “A Summer Like No Other”, promises to be one of the best yet.

The sounds of Chicago will come to Fort Wayne on August 27.

One amazing concert we’ll get to see this summer is from one of rock’s most well-known groups, Chicago, who will take the Foellinger Theatre stage Tuesday, August 27 at 8 p.m. This will definitely be a concert no classic rock fan will want to miss! With over 100 million records sold, 21 Top 10 singles, 5 consecutive number one albums, 11 number one singles, 5 gold singles and 25 platinum albums, Chicago is still a force to be reckoned with even 40 years after they first came together. They are known to put on a powerful live show, so get your tickets fast!

Kansas will perform at Foellinger Theatre on September 14.

One of my personal favorite classic-rock bands, Kansas, will perform on September 14. Not only has Kansas had some huge hits throughout their nearly 40-year career (anyone else belt out “Carry On Wayward Son” when it comes on the radio?!), but they’ve had a ton of success. The band boasts 8 gold albums, a platinum selling live album, over 200 weeks on the Billboard charts throughout the 70s and 80s and a million-selling gold single “Dust in the Wind”.

Other nationally acclaimed acts bringing music to the Foellinger stage are Little Red Band and America. Two powerhouse bands featuring some of the best musicians rock music has to offer. Beloved acts Fort Wayne audiences are sure to want to catch again include Cherish the Ladies and The Lettermen.

Several great tribute bands will also be performing as a part of the lineup this summer. Come on down to Margaritaville for the first Fort Wayne performance of Parrots of the Caribbean, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band. The British will invade the Foellinger Theatre with a performance from Chicago Beatles tribute band, BritBeat. Travel back to the 70s and 80s with Midnight Special. Listen to the smooth sounds of The Eagles with Hotel California.

Beyond concerts, Foellinger is once again hosting nine free, family-friendly, movies on Wednesday nights throughout the season at 9 p.m. Madagascar III will kick off the movie season on Wednesday, June 19. Other movies being shown under the stars are: ParaNorman, Brave, The Lorax, Hotel Transylvania and Oz: The Great and Powerful. This is a great chance to kick back and relax while leaving the couch and

With all of the excitement coming with the upcoming concert and movie season, Foellinger Theatre is also rolling out improvements to the venue. Phase 1 of this improvement project will provide an additional 48 seats beneath the roof, including a new patio seating area. This phase will also include functional and cosmetic improvements, new landscaping at the eastern edge of the theater and an expansion of the enclosed area to the east of the theater by 18,000 square feet. Phase two of the project will add a new building to the expansion area for concessions and a covered pavilion for group rentals.

If you have the chance to make it out to Foellinger Theatre, whether it’s for a concert, movie, or just to check out the venue, DO IT! It’s a gem you don’t want to miss.

Tickets for “A Summer Like No Other” events are on sale now! For a complete line-up for the summer, and more information, you can click here,  here or here.

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