July 28, 2023
Contact: April McCampbell
P: 260-427-6024
C: 260-241-1932
Manager of Communications
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What’s Happening in the Parks
The week ahead
Fort Wayne, Ind. – The following events and programs are happening the week ahead:
Reminder
Fort Wayne Children’s Choir
Friday, July 28, 7:00 p.m.
Foellinger Theatre, 3411 Sherman Blvd.
Come hear the eight Fort Wayne Children’s Choir ensembles sing their first concert of the 2023-2024 season: "Christmas in July" Admission is free.
Stayin’ Alive
Saturday, July 29, 8:00 p.m.
Foellinger Theatre, 3411 Sherman Blvd.
STAYIN’ ALIVE offers to their audiences the songs and sights of a full Bee Gees playlist, singing blockbusters such as “Night Fever”, “Jive Talkin’”, “How Deep is Your Love”, “You Should be Dancing”, “Nights on Broadway” and “Stayin’ Alive.” In addition, they perform softer poetic ballads such as “I Started a Joke”, “Massachusetts”, “Fanny be Tender”, “Words” and “To Love Somebody” among other great hits. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or in person at the Parks and Recreation Department, 705 East State Blvd. during regular office hours or at the Foellinger Theatre Box Office from 6:00 –10:00 p.m. on concert days.
Featuring:
Fort Wayne Dragon Boat Races
Friday, August 4, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 5, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Awards Ceremony at 3:00 p.m.)
Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street
Save a spot on your calendar to experience the culture and competition of the Fort Wayne Dragon Boat Races on August 4 and 5. This two-day event begins on Friday with family-friendly activities and live performances by the Chinese Friends & Family Assoc., plus a concert by the band, We Are Checkmark at 7:00 p.m. Try your hand at a little calligraphy, pose in the photo booth, get temporarily inked with a tattoo, play a little ping pong and try Kung Fu Tea. Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Director Steve McDaniel will kick off the opening ceremony at 8:30 p.m., followed by the Dragon Dance and the Floating Fire Pit Finale featuring Fire Dancers at 9:30 p.m. Teds snack + bar will offer snacks, sandwiches, and beverages, as well as Tropical Sno shaved ice and a full bar for purchase.
Come back on Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m. for some Tai Chi, watch the Dotting of the Eyes Ceremony with Mayor Henry at 9:30 a.m. then cheer on your favorite team as they race on the St. Marys River. Additional activities for children are planned from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. including foam boat and dragon puppets construction and a sensory “sink or float” experiment. Take a break from the sun in the pavilion and plaza and appreciate art displays and take part in cultural activities like calligraphy, temporary tattoos and a giant dragon community art project. Food trucks; Banh Mi Pho, AcaiBowl and Flora and Lily’s will be parked along Harrison Street beginning at 10:00 a.m. Kulture City Sensory Bags will be available while supplies last. Final heats will begin at 2:00 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony at 3:00 p.m.
NOTE: Due to the Fort Wayne Dragon Boat Races, the Sweet Breeze Canal Boat tours will not be operated on Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6. Tours will resume on Thursday, August 10.
History in Song Sweet Breeze Specialty Tour
Tuesday, August 1, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
South Dock, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street
Be transported to the heyday of the Wabash and Erie Canal with the Great Lakes Balladeer. Russ Franzen is an award-winning writer and amateur historian. His songs tell the stories of people, places and boats that make up the history of the Great Lakes. They are songs of lighthouses and lake boats, rivers and canals, pioneers and surfmen, and are accompanied by his 12-string guitar. This specialty tour costs $35 per person. Reservations can be made online at www.RideSweetBreeze.org, in person at the Parks and Recreation Offices (705 East State Blvd.) or by phone 260-427-6000 during normal business hours.
Diana Krall
Tuesday, August 1, 8:00 p.m.
Foellinger Theatre, 3411 Sherman Blvd.
Diana Krall is the only jazz singer to have eight albums debut at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. To date, her albums have garnered two GRAMMY® Awards, ten Juno® Awards and have earned nine Gold, three Platinum, and seven multi-Platinum albums. Her 1999 release of When I Look in Your Eyes spent an unprecedented 52 weeks in the #1 position on Billboard's Jazz chart, won two GRAMMY® Awards, and went Platinum in the U.S. and Canada. Her most recent release, This Dream of You, has garnered critical acclaim from fans and press alike. Krall's unique artistry transcends any single musical style and has made her one of the most recognizable artists of our time. As The New York Times recently noted, she possesses “a voice at once cool and sultry, wielded with a rhythmic sophistication.” Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or in person at the Parks and Recreation Department, 705 East State Blvd. during regular office hours or at the Foellinger Theatre Box Office from 6:00 –10:00 p.m. on concert days.
Botanical Roots Music Fest
Friday, August 4, 5:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 5, 12 – 11 p.m.
Be refreshed at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory with a special two-day eclectic downtown musical festival that is unique this this region. ROOTS Music Fest features music from a wide diversity of regional heritages and cultural backgrounds, combining exciting local musicians and regional touring acts. Friday features Zydeco and Reggae sounds with CJ Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Lazo & Exodus with Urb and Pete Dio and the Old & Dirty. Saturday features Blues, Americana and Folk styles with Mississippi Heat, Debutants, Grace Theisen & the Rebel Elves with G-Money Band, Rosalind & the Way, Phil’s Family Lizard and A Picker & a Grinner. Tickets are available online at www.bit.ly/rootsfest for Friday ($15), for Saturday ($20) or as a two-day pass ($30). Conservatory members are admitted free. Botanical Roots Music Fest is sponsored by Mad Anthony Brewing Company, 96.3 XKE and Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation.
Salomon Farm Park U-pick Flowers
Wednesday and Friday, 4:00-7:00 p.m. and Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Salomon Farm Park, 817 West Dupont Road
U-Pick flower fields are available beginning Saturday, July 29 and continuing on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays while flowers are blooming. Prices vary per type; $2 per sunflower and $1 per other stem. The front field closest to Dupont Road will open first. Follow the signs and look for the “red barn” trailer for supplies and checkout.
Also happening:
Sweet Breeze Thursday Tours
Thursday, August 3, 6:00 p.m. (60 minute), 7:15 p.m. (60 minute)
South Dock, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street
Travel Fort Wayne’s rivers in the cool of the evening on Sweet Breeze, for a weeknight cruise. This fully accessible tour provides an opportunity to learn something new about Fort Wayne through its riverfront. Tickets are $23 per person for a 60-minute cruise. Reservations can be made online at www.RideSweetBreeze.org, in person at the Parks and Recreation Offices (705 East State Blvd.) or by phone 260-427-6000 during normal business hours.
An Herban Garden Showcase Exhibit
Until November 12, 2023, public hours
Foellinger Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
Digest the community impact of urban gardening and see herbs that flourish, mushrooms that thrive and rooftops that grow. Forage some more to discover dynamic graffiti art and container gardens accompanying uptown views from your local stoop. It’s a beautiful season in the neighborhood at the Botanical Conservatory’s own herban garden. Sponsored by: the English Bonter Mitchell Foundation, Waterfield Foundation and WANE 15.
Salomon Farmers’ Market
Wednesday, August 2, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. and continuing each Wednesday until September 6
Salomon Farm Park, 317 West Dupont Road
Find fresh produce, baked goods, honey and artisan crafts at this mid-week market. Tractor rides are planned for August 2 and September 6, for $5 per person. Stop by and say hello to the newest members of the herd—Mickie and Frankie the Highland Coos as well as the goats, miniature horses and sheep.
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