Don’t let your sweet tooth loose at this holiday event — these gingerbread houses are for viewing only. Make time in your busy holiday schedule to visit the annual Festival of Gingerbread at the Fort Wayne History Center, located conveniently in downtown Fort Wayne.

This year’s display of locally-made gingerbread houses begins November 25 and runs through December 11. This annual event is a fundraiser to benefit the History Center, a museum preserving Fort Wayne and Allen County history. The 2010 festival set records for both dollars raised and attendance — further making this a must-see event in Fort Wayne.

Parkview Field gets the Gingerbread treatment

These tasty treats capture the imagination!

The History Center is located at 302 East Berry Street. Additional special events and sponsor nights are held during nearly every night of the festival. For those details, and event hours, go online or call 260.426.2882.

Have you experienced the horticultural amazement of our the Botanical Gardens? Wow! From four yearly seasonal displays, to the soft subtleness of the Desert Garden that stretches your thinking, the Botanical’s “three gardens under glass” offer something for everyone!

The conservatory experience can touch all of your senses including the peace that comes from a tropical vacation! Visitors can not only enjoy the beauty of so many aspects of our world and our environment, they too can unwind in the warmth of the lush Tropical Garden, “where orchids and palms thrive in the shadows of a cascading waterfall.” Now that sounds like a vacation worth taking!

And this Christmas, you can experience an amazing Christmas vacation at the Botanical Conservatory!

Get up close and personal with Santa's helpers!

Saturdays: December 3, 10, and 17

12:00-4:00 pm

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory

On select Saturdays this holiday season, Santa and two of his reindeer will be on site to greet the children while Mom and Dad take pictures to capture the moment. Explore the Conservatory in its holiday glory: this year’s theme is “Night Before Christmas.” All the delight of the holiday season comes together during the Conservatory’s year-end exhibit. Scenes from the famous poem, “A Visit from Saint Nicholas,” may be found throughout the Showcase Garden on a carpet of colorful poinsettias. The Conservatory’s traditional 12-foot-tall poinsettia tree remains a focal point and family photo backdrop, and a stroll through the lighted gardens concludes a satisfying visit.

What a fun and unique way to ring in the magic of Christmas this year! For more information, please visit them online.

Regular Conservatory admission fees apply.

Chug Chug, Puff Puff.

Confused?

Intrigued?

Just wait until you hear about this upcoming event that our very own Science Central is hosting!

If you are a parent, or if you grew up loving trains, then you might really appreciate this one. At my house, you’ll find FIVE tubs FULL of wooden Thomas the Train track, plastic track with trains, and metal ones too, all stored for our kids…right next to daddy’s HO goodies! Yes! Two generations of trains and tracks, accessories galore fill our toy box with so much affection and memories that I can’t bare to get rid of them.

Trains have filled our children’s hearts for years and there’s nothing like the beauty and spirit of an engine and cars chugging around a Christmas tree at the holidays!  Nostalgic. Not only do we own these wonderful memories in our train boxes, but we own them in our hearts as well.

Trains.

Full of something special for everyone….young and old.

If a model train has meaning to you (beyond just a coupling and buffers), then you must come and experience the magic of Science Central’s “Festival of Trains” where you can enjoy trains from several model railroad clubs, including G-scale, HO, and 3-rail Tinplate layouts. It will be an event featuring not just amazing model railroads, but a chance to relive those memories or to share your love of the rails with someone special.

Festival of Trains at Science Central

November 25-27, 2011

cost: free with admission

You don’t want to miss the Festival of Trains fun at Science Central! Area model railroad will be chugging into town to fascinate young and old. There will be trains from several model railroad clubs, including G-scale, HO, and 3-rail Tinplate layouts.

1950 N Clinton Street

For additional information, please contact Science Central at (260) 424-2400 or visit their website!

The kickoff to the holiday season would not be complete without a visit to the 27th Annual Embassy Festival of Trees which runs from November 23 through 30 at the historic Embassy Theatre in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne. Patrons will find beautifully decorated holiday pine trees lining the lobbies of the theatre and the Indiana Hotel.

The Embassy Theatre fills with the wonder of the season.

The festival, which was founded in 1984, runs for eight days. Proceeds from the Festival of Trees support ongoing restoration and operational efforts for the Embassy Theatre Foundation, Inc. The festival includes unique events each day including:
• November 23, 6-9 p.m.: Night of Lights, Debut of Animated Windows Along Harrison Street, Sing-A-Long on Stage with Fort Wayne Children’s Choir
• November 24, 4-8 p.m.: Thanksgiving Day featuring Grande Page Pipe Organ
• November 25 – 26 -  9:30-11 a.m.: Breakfast with Santa
• November 25 – 27, 12-8 p.m.: Youth entertainment on stage at the Festival of Trees

Admission rates are $6 for adults, and $3 for children 12 and under. The Embassy Theatre is located at 125 W. Jefferson Blvd. For more information visit the theatre online or call 260.424.6287.

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)