Posted Under "Three Rivers Festival"

I love Art in the Park so writing about it (and keeping it brief) is both a highlight and a challenge for me. As part of the Three Rivers Festival, Art in the Park boasts over 40 vendors and more than 30,000 visitors.  Many consider it a cornerstone of the kick off weekend of the eight-day Three Rivers Festival.  Personally, I see it as an opportunity to find something fabulous I wouldn’t find anywhere else.

With vendors selling a large variety of art at the festival you’re sure to find something that fits your personal style.  Last year, I found the perfect glass and driftwood wind chime for our garden.  Each time I hear it in the breeze I think of the great day we had at last year’s festival enjoying park.   Not in the market for wind chimes?  Past vendors have sold photography, painted glass, hand made soaps, yard art, jewelry, rugs, kitchenware, clothing, and sculptures.  This year’s vendor list hasn’t been announced yet but promises to have even more great artisans for visitors to enjoy.

That’s what makes shopping for art so much fun.  The digging, the exploring, and the shopping all makes it a great day.  Of course, shopping in the beautiful Friemann Square Park makes for an enjoyable day as well.  With the warm summer air and the beautiful setting you’re destine to have a great day.

Set in front of the Arts United Center, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, and next to the annual Chalk Walk event there’s plenty to do in those few blocks.  If it’s an unusually hot July day, pop into the Museum of Art to relax.  Be sure to explore Chalk Walk as locals create works of art on the pavement out of chalk.

Art in the Park will take place Saturday July 13 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday July 14 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.   The show is free to attend.  Street parking can be found throughout downtown and is free on the weekends.

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This post is part of our Hot Summer. Cool City. series, where you can discover great family getaways and even WIN a getaway for your family in our Fort Wayne Photo Contest. Learn more here.

Summer means festivals in Fort Wayne!  From June through September, there is a festival almost every weekend to celebrate local heritage, great food, or entertaining arts.  Many festivals are free, and all have a variety of activities for all ages.  If you’re having a hard time deciding which weekend to visit, picking a week with an interesting festival is a great addition to all the Fort Wayne attractions open all year long. Our full list of festivals starts here.

Performance at Ribfest

A good festival has to have good food—many festivals focus on great eats in Fort Wayne and the surrounding areas.

Ribfest has ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and other delicacies from around the country along with a stage packed full of great music. Stop by Headwaters Park June 13-16 to grab a bite of this festival. Later, Junk Food Alley at Three Rivers Festival is open during from July 12- 20 and has classic carnival favorites and other festival food.  St. Joe Pickle Festival, a celebration of all things pickle, is August 8-10 in St. Joe, Indiana.  If pickles aren’t your thing, Taste of the Arts on August 24 allows visitors to learn more about arts and food in Fort Wayne.  Check out performances and food in various locations around Arts United all day.  A few weeks later, Mad Anthony’s Oktobeerfest has beer, dining, golfing, and other great activities from September 6-8.

IPFW Riverfest

Other festivals celebrate performance, music, and entertainment.  Buskerfest on June 29 from 4-10 p.m. is free!  Street performers are scattered around Wayne and Calhoun Streets downtown, so wander around the area to see mimes, drummers, musicians, balloon artists, and more.  Food trucks and other downtown restaurants will be open for a quick food break during the festival.  IPFW RiverFest shows the great resource Fort Wayne’s rivers are to the city.  Learn more about rivers with food, art, music, and the cardboard regatta on June 22 from 9 a.m. to midnight.  A month later, stop by the Allen County Fair from July 23-28 has music, fine arts, crafts, animals, and more for people of all ages.

Be sure to look at our festival information page for the full listing of festivals and activities.

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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

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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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This classic event was brought back to the festival in 2007 when Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana volunteered to organize the Bed Race for Three Rivers Festival.

Each year since, thousands of people line Main Street the Wednesday evening during festival week to watch beds race down the two block course. This year’s Bed Race will begin at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012.

The rules for the race:

• Each bed must have at least three wheels
• Each bed must have 4 runners/pushers and 1 rider
• Single elimination, bracket style format
• Beds race on Main Street from Harrison to the cross-walk between Courthouse and the Ed Rousseau Center

Tips for watching:

• Get There Early. The street won’t close until 5:30 pm but people will begin grabbing spots along Main Street by 5:00 pm. If you want to watch from a specific location, I recommend getting there early.
• Bring Your Own Lawn Chairs. If you’re lucky enough to get a spot on the curb, a blanket will do, but definitely bring something to sit on because you won’t want to be standing for the almost two hours of racing.
• Stay Hydrated. The last few years, it has been hot! Definitely bring some cold water for you and your family.
• Sunscreen or Shade. Be sure to wear sunscreen and if you are looking to get out of the sun, sit on the north side of the street, which remains shaded.
• Eat Dinner Outside. Whether you bring your own dinner or stop at Pint & Slice or Coney Island, make an evening of it and picnic on the sidewalk. If you’re thinking Coney Island though, be prepared for a long wait as almost everyone is thinking the same thing.
• Bring Some Cash and Support the Mustard Seed. You can vote for your favorite bed by making a donation as volunteers walk around with jars. Each jar is designated for a specific bed and the bed with the most donations wins People’s Choice. They aren’t the only winners, since all donations will support the Mustard Seed’s Beds 4 Kids.

Regardless of where you sit or which bed you’re cheering for, you and your family are bound to have fun. For us, it’s become one of our favorite summer traditions that we’ve volunteered for, ran in and now watch year after year.

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Three Rivers Festival

Friday, July 13, 2012 – Saturday, July 21, 2012

Indiana’s second largest festival offers 9 days of fun for the entire family!  From the opening day parade, arts, crafts, amusement rides, and International Village, to live music, the Bed Race, and the all-new RiverGames Water Wars and canoe races, Three Rivers Festival brings family-friendly fun to the heart of downtown Fort Wayne! 

Location: Headwaters Park – Downtown Fort Wayne

For additional information, please visit the Three Rivers Festival website.

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