What’s Happening in the Parks
The week ahead
Fort Wayne, Ind. – The following events and programs are happening the week ahead:
Reminder:
Seven-time Grammy Award Winner Gladys Knight in concert
Saturday, August 17, 7:30 p.m.
Foellinger Theatre, 3411 Sherman Blvd.
The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. Very few singers over the last sixty years have matched her unassailable artistry. This seven-time GRAMMY Award winner has enjoyed #1 hits in Pop, Gospel, R&B, and Adult Contemporary, and has triumphed in film, television, and live performance. All told, Knight has recorded more than 38 albums over the years, including four solo albums: “Good Woman” (1991); “Just for You” (1994); the inspirational “Many Different Roads” (1999); and “At Last” (2001). “At Last” showed the world that she still has what it takes to record a hit album, employing the talents of contemporary producers like Randy Jackson. For ticketing information, visit www.FoellingerTheatre.org.
Featuring:
Final Muddy River Concert
Wednesday, August 21, 6:00 p.m.
Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street, Auer Lawn
Enjoy live local music on the Riverfront from Left Lane Cruiser on August 21, along with food and drink to purchase from Teds snack + bar at the Promenade Park Café.
Fort Wayne Area Community Band
Tuesday, August 20, 7:00 p.m.
Foellinger Theatre, 3411 Sherman Blvd.
This free Community Concert will feature the Fort Wayne Area Community Band playing a variety of selections with “Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue”.
Irish Folk Bands: The High Kings and Gaelic Storm in concert
Wednesday, August 21, 7:30 p.m.
Foellinger Theatre, 3411 Sherman Blvd.
The High Kings are Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Paul O' Brien and Brian Dunphy who have held the position as the distinctive voice of Irish folk music across the world for the last 15 years. And as they continue to sell out venues around the world to an ever- growing army of loyal fans, The High Kings show no signs of stopping. Having already surpassed a 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify as well as two platinum albums in their time, 2023 saw The High Kings celebrate 15 years together by releasing 15 brand new tracks to their fans, as well as the release of their eighth Studio Album The Road Not Taken. Renowned for their captivating harmonies and timeless melodies, The High Kings latest studio album is a collection of original songs that breathe new life into traditional folk music, blending the old with the new.
It’s hard to imagine a band just coming into their own after 20 years of success, but that’s exactly what makes a true anomaly. This multi-national, Celtic juggernaut grows stronger with each live performance, and as you can imagine, after two decades and over 2000 shows, it is a true force to be reckoned with. With their latest release, Go Climb a Tree, their music has never sounded more representative of themselves as musicians and as live performers. The band attributes their continued success to their fanatic audience—and it’s a well-diversified crowd for sure. The country-music folks adore the storytelling, the bluegrass-heads love the instrumentals, Celtic fans love their devotion to tradition, and the rockers simply relish the passion with which they play their instruments. Each band member, in their own way, expresses a deep gratitude for their fans, but it’s best summed up in the words of Patrick Murphy, “The fans are the ones that have given us this life. We’re here for them.” For ticketing information, visit www.FoellingerTheatre.org.
The Rescue Mission Light the Night event featuring Matthew West
Thursday, August 22, 5:00 p.m.
Foellinger Theatre, 3411 Sherman Blvd.
The Rescue Mission presents the first annual Light the Night Concert Event, an evening of worship and celebration at Foellinger Theatre. This will be a time to reflect on the amazing work God is doing at The Rescue Mission with musical performances by award-winning contemporary Christian artists Matthew West and Riley Clemmons. Light the Night is a family-friendly event for all ages. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. and the concert will start at 6:00 p.m. Local food trucks Ziffles, Baby Got S’mac, and Mercadito will be serve food and drinks for purchase. For ticketing information, visit www.FoellingerTheatre.org.
Concert on the Farm
Sunday, August 25, 1:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Salomon Farm Park, 817 West Dupont Road
Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and sample the music of Rosalind & the Way, Debutants, The Hubie Ashcraft Band and Sunny Taylor with Paul Kobylensky in a relaxing country setting. Gates will open at 1:00 p.m. and the music will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Historic Old Barn. Admission is $5 per person. Concert on the Farm is sponsored by Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation and US 93.3.
Also Happening:
Sweet Breeze Tours
Thursday, Aug. 22, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. (60-minute tour), 7:15 – 8:15p.m. (60-minute tour)
Saturday, Aug. 24, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. (90-minute tour), 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. (45-minute tour), 3:45 – 5:15 p.m. (90-minute tour)
Sunday, Aug. 25, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. (90-minute tour)
South Dock Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street
Travel Fort Wayne’s rivers on Sweet Breeze, an authentic 1840 canal boat replica. This fully accessible tour provides an opportunity to learn something new about Fort Wayne through its riverfront. Choose 90, 60 or 45-minute cruise options. Tickets are $30 per person for a 90-minute cruise, $23 for a 60 minute tour and $20 per person for 45-minute cruise. Reservations can be made online (until midnight on day prior to tour) at www.RideSweetBreeze.org or via the Fort Wayne Parks App; in person at the Parks and Recreation Offices (705 East State Blvd.) or by phone 260-427-6000 during normal business hours. Walk-ups are welcome at the dock as space is available by cash or credit card. Specialty tours are scheduled throughout the season. Visit the website or app to see all of the options.
20th Season of the Salomon Farmers’ Market
Wednesday, August 21, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. and continuing each Wednesday until Sept. 4
Salomon Farm Park 817 West Dupont Road
Find fresh produce, baked goods, honey and artisan crafts at this mid-week market. Stop by and say hello to the herd members—Mickie and Frankie the Highland Coos, as well as the goats, miniature horse and sheep.
Raise a Glass! Exhibit
Until November 17, public hours
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
The Botanical Conservatory is celebrating 40 years! Since 1983, this unique botanical venue has served as a cultural anchor in Fort Wayne, having welcomed nearly three million visitors from near and far! During its 40th anniversary, the Botanical Conservatory is capturing vivid streams of light and reflecting into glimmers of a vibrant future. Raise your glass to the continued health, happiness and success of this community treasure. Sponsored by: Fort Wayne Park Foundation, English Bonter Mitchell Foundation, Majic 95.1, WANE 15 and Sycamore Tree Care.
From Concept to Celebration
Until November 16, public hours
Foellinger Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
This visual timeline displays the history of the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory from an original idea to our current-day fortieth anniversary! Images, news articles and short stories provide historical context during the celebratory Raise a Glass! Garden Exhibit. Enjoy this unique display as a collaboration of archives from both the Foellinger Foundation and the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory.
Raise a Glass! $1 Nights
Thursdays, until November 14, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
Here’s a toast celebrating not only 40 years as a unique botanical venue for public education and enjoyment, but 200 years since Allen County was officially born. During the Raise a Glass! Garden Exhibit, take advantage of $1 admission every Thursday evening from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Cheers to the Botanical Conservatory as a community treasure serving over 3,000,000 tourists and residents since opening its doors in 1983…and here’s to Allen County steadfast since 1824 with 400,000+ residents thriving and residing today. Together, the Botanical Conservatory and Bicentennial Executive Board wish to celebrate the past, present and future with you!
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 now available on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays while flowers are blooming. Prices vary per type; $2 per sunflower and $1 per other stem. Follow the signs and look for the “red barn” trailer for supplies and checkout.
Trek the Trails
Tuesday, August 20, Meet at 6:00 p.m.
Stillwater Hospice, 5910 Homestead Road, park near Peggy Murphy Community Grief Center
The 2024 Trek the Trails season continues on Tuesday evenings. Meet for a 9.2 mile bike ride. There is no cost to participate. All experience levels are welcome and participation is at your own risk. Riders are encouraged to wear helmets. Trek the Trails is sponsored by UAW Local #2209, Three Rivers Velo Sport and Bike Fort Wayne and is presented by the City of Fort Wayne and Fort Wayne Trails. Follow the City of Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Trails, Fort Wayne Running Club, and Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation on social media for weather-related updates. For a complete list of locations and dates, visit: https://www.fortwayneparks.org/trails/news-events.html
Tread the Trails
Thursday, August 22, Meet at 6:00 p.m.
Stillwater Hospice, 5910 Homestead Road, park near Peggy Murphy Community Grief Center
Fort Wayne Running Club and the City of New Haven have joined the City of Fort Wayne and Fort Wayne Trails, Inc. to provide guided 1 mile/5k walks/runs beginning at different locations throughout the area! These 5k walks/runs are offered every other Thursday. All mobility aids are welcome at Tread the Trails, and participants are encouraged to lengthen/shorten the route as preferred. For a complete list of locations and dates, visit https://www.fortwayneparks.org/trails/news-events.html
