We had a wonderful time and are so appreciative of the community support of this event!!
Share Your Park Photos Share your park and/or park program photos with us and they could appear on the cover of a brochure, in a newspaper ad, on our website or in an e-newsletter. E-mail your high resolution photos to jill.bowyer@ cityoffortwayne.org along with your contact information (share it on our Facebook page, too, if you like). If we use your photo in any way, you will be given photo credit. If we use your photo on the cover of any brochure, you will receive a $25 Parks and Recreation gift card.
Thanks to all of you that came out to Winterval 2024. We are very excited to annouce that the next Winterval will be January 25, 2025! Check back next fall for additional information or scroll to see NEW photos!
2024 Media Sponsors:
Are you interested in sponsoring an Ice Carving in 2025? Area businesses are invited to put themselves on ice by being a part of the Frozen Fort Ice Art exhibit. *Professional carvers will transform the blocks of ice into beautiful works of art throughout the day. *Your business can purchase ice carvings which display your business logo, an object that represents your business, or a theme of your choice. *Each ice block is approximately 20” wide x 10” deep x 40” tall, but that’s only the minimum size the carvers work with. If you wish, the ice artists can put several blocks of ice together to form a much larger sculpture for your business. The Frozen Fort Ice Art Sponsorship Form will be available in fall 2025! Questions? Contact Patti Davis, 260-427-6465.
Winterval Credits Roll for 2024
Ice Carvings Watch professional carvers create ice sculptures before your eyes! Ice sculptures created by Ice Creations in Napolean, Ohio.
Live Ice Carvings Live ice carvings for 2024 can be found at the following locations!
Winterval at the Conservatory (1100 S. Calhoun Street)
Allen County Public Library (900 Library Plaza)
Winter Carnival at the Community Center (233 W. Main)
The Landing Group (116 W. Columbia Street)
Winter Cozy at Promenade Park (202 W. Superior Street)
Pre-Sculpted Ice Carvings
Pre-sculpted ice carvings for 2024 can be found at the following locations:
Lindenwood Nature Preserve 600 Lindenwood Ave.
Community Center 233 W. Main St.
Tin Caps 1301 Ewing St.
Hoppy Gnome 203 E. Berry St.
J K O'Donnell's 121 W. Wayne Street
Winter Carnival A “Winterval” Event Saturday, January 25, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Community Center, 233 W. Main St.
Beat the winter blahs by bringing the whole family out for snow crafts and activities, a live ice carving, carriage rides and a miniature golf course sculpted from ice. Be sure to bring the kids to our Candy Luge to satisfy your sweet tooth! Best part is it is all FREE!
Sponsor the 2025 Winter Carnival! Contact Patti Davis at 260-427-6465.
Winterval’s Warm Heart Market
1:00-4:00 p.m. The Community Center 233 W. Main Street
Take a break from the outdoor activities and enjoy time spent inside browsing homemade and uniquely hand-crafted items and other merchandise at our market.
Anyone interested in vending at this event, please contact Josh Ogle at 260-427-6441 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an application.
A special thank you to the Indiana Donor Network for their sponsorship of The 2024 Amazing Winterval Race!
Want to learn more about the Amazing Winterval Race? Check out: Walk in the Park: Amazing Winterval Race
The Antique Road Show Community Center, 233 W. Main St. 1-4 pm Free Event
What are they worth? Bring in your comic books, coins, pottery, autographs, vintage video games or jewelry and have them appraised by Scheerer McCulloch.
Winterval at the Conservatory
Saturday, January 25, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Live Ice Carving at 10:00 am Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St.
Festivities at the Botanical Conservatory include a live ice carving sculpted outdoors and on display near the main entrance. Regular admission fees apply to indoor festivities including a speedy-fun craft, plant giveaway and exploration of the “Botanical Speedway” winter exhibit.
Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 W. Superior St.
What better way to wrap up your Winterval Night than at Promenade Park’s Winter Cozy, where the pavilion will be taken back in time and transformed into a retro 80’s après ski party for the evening. Grab your friends and dance along to the DJ in your best 80’s gear (the more neon the better), and visit Teds Snack + Bar for drinks and food throughout the night (for purchase). Ages 21+
Winterval Hike and Bonfire Saturday, January 25, 9-10:30 am, Free Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Avenue
Bundle up and enjoy a quiet morning hike in the woods and warm up at the bonfire with our friends from LC Nature Park before you head out for other Winterval activities. FREE. All ages welcome!
Stop by and watch the live ice carving on the plaza at 12:00 p.m. then come inside for a wintery craft while supplies last. Free event.
The Sport of Curling 1-4 pm Fort Wayne Curling Club, 3837 N. Wells St.
Come try your hand at this Olympic sport! Liability waivers are required of all participants. Ages 8-adult. Free event.
Winterval at Science Central 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $ 12 admission. Please note: Science Central offers $2 off admission for the Last Saturdays of each month. Science Central, 1950 N. Clinton St.
WHAT: Visit Science Central
WHEN: Saturday, January 27, 2023 from 10am-5pm
WHERE: Science Central, 1950 N. Clinton St.
DESCRIPTION: Chromatography Snowflakes, CO2 Bubbles, and Liquid Nitrogen Demonstrations
Please check out how to purchase tickets prior to visiting Science Central.
Headwaters Park Ice Skating and Exhibitions 12:00-9:00 pm Headwaters Park East, 333 S Clinton Street Lace up those skates and make ice skating a part of your Winterval Fun or just come to watch local ice skaters from the Fort Wayne Ice Skating club perform short exhibitions at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. Admission $4-$6 (skate rental extra)
Nuvelle Annee 1744 – Empire on the Eve of Conflict
Saturday, January 25, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
The winter of 1744 draws ever closer. Rumor is that war has begun anew in Europe. His Most Christian Majesty and the Kingdom of Prussia dispute the succession of the Throne of Austria. Now Britain has been drawn into conflict, which means it is only a matter of time until aggression comes again to the Colonies. The coming of this new war meant shortages, disruption of trade and strained relations with the Native Tribes. What will happen when there are no goods in Le Magasin? Can the new leaseholder of the Post ever regain his investments in trade profits? Scarcity and uncertainty loom on the horizon for Post des Myaamia in 1744!
Heartland Mushers 1:00-4:00 pm. Headwaters Park, 333 S. Clinton
Visit the Heartland Mushers sled dogs at Headwaters Park, next to the skating rink. Free event.
Fort Wayne developed around the confluence of three rivers: the St. Joseph, the St. Marys, and the Maumee. Learn all about the role our rivers have played in the history of our city and how they are still used today. Learn more...
Spring registration for River Camp will begin on March 25th!
Botanical Conservatory The Botanical Conservatory's Camp ACTIVenture engages campers in active, adventurous fun! Check out the Camp ACTIVenture link for additional information on this Adventurous camp!
Spring registration for Franke Park Day Camp will start on March 25th!
With its strong emphasis on nature education and basic camping skills, Franke Park Day Camp provides an environment which fosters cooperation, problem-solving and socialization as well as the dirty, muddy, outdoor fun kids of all ages enjoy! Check out the Franke Day Camp link for more information. Click here to register for Franke Park Day Camp!
Our Farmin' Fun Day Camp provides a stimulating, healthy and beautiful environment where you will learn about soil, plants, animals and the source of our food. See the Farmin' Fun Day Camp link to learn more.
Come spend a week on the farm! Our Farmin’ Fun Day Camp provides a stimulating, healthy and beautiful environment where you will learn about plants, animals and life on the farm. Campers will be able to continue the cycle of farm-to-table in our teaching kitchen. The camp integrates hands-on farming such as gardening and animal care, cooperative games, wagon rides, nature exploration and more for a memorable and diverse summer camp experience. You will care for farm animals; hike in the woods; play in the creek; wash, dye and felt wool from one of our sheep; enjoy hayrides around the farm and much more!
Contact Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation at (260) 427-6000 for additional information on our Farmin' Fun Day Camp!
Schedule
Week 1 June 10-14
Week 2 June 17-21
Week 3 June 24-28
Week 4 June 8-12
Week 5 July 15-19
Week 6 July 22 - 26
Location
Farmin’ Fun Day Camp is held at Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Rd. in Fort Wayne.
Ages/Hours:
4-17 years (as of June 1, 2024)
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
AM Camp Care, 7:00-9:00 a.m.
PM Camp Care, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Camp Care
AM Camp Care, 7:00-9:00 a.m.
PM Camp Care, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
What to Bring
Sack Lunch (non refrigerated) (full day campers only!)
Snacks
Canteen or Water Bottle
Insect Repellent
Sunscreen
Long pants/Change of Clothes
Swimsuit, towel, water shoes
Face covering
Confirmation Notices
Campers will receive an e-mail confirmation the week prior to their camp session with all the information needed for the upcoming week. Keep a look out for this email!
F.I.T.
“Farmers in Training” is designed to provide children ages 12 and older a more active role in the care of livestock, vegetable gardening, hands-on beekeeping, farm tours, and campfire cookouts on Fridays. Farmers in Training harvest and sell their vegetables at the Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays in addition to participating in games and other fun activities.
C.I.T.
"Counselors in Training" is for campers 13-18 years of age who have completed 2 weeks of F.I.T.Counselors in Training are role models for the younger campers. The program is designed to train youth how to be confident leaders among their peers. C.I.T.s will have opportunities to learn important teambuilding, leadership and agricultural skills as they assist camp counselors in leading activities such as beekeeping, blacksmithing, gardening and animal care. Each camper will be required to submit two references to complete their registration.
Camp Buddies
Children who wish to attend camp together must indicate this on the registration form and both children must request it. We will do our best to place the campers together as requested, however, due to the volume of registrations and the lottery processing system along with the age groupings for effective learning, we cannot guarantee it. Please note: campers registered for 6 – 11 years will be grouped 6 -8 years old and 9 – 11 years old. Due to differing camp curriculum a 6-year-old will not be grouped with an 11-year-old.
Specialized Staff Training
We provide specialized training for our staff that includes Child Safety and Awareness, Customer Service, First Aid, Infant/Child/Adult CPR, and General Safety Training.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department • 705 E. State Blvd. • Fort Wayne, IN 46805 • (260) 427-6000 • Office hours: Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm •parkswebmaster@cityoffortwayne.org
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