What’s Happening in the Parks
The week ahead
Fort Wayne, Ind. – The following events and programs are happening the week ahead:
Reminder:
$1 Night Light Display
Thursdays & Fridays, until December 20, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
The gardens in light are best seen at night! Find yourself surrounded by festive greenery, stunning poinsettias and enchanted scenery as part of illuminated photo ops at the Botanical Conservatory. Cross gift buying off your list after stopping into the Conservatory Shop where there is a unique selection of thoughtful gifts. Kick-off your holidays with a stroll through gardens glistening and glowing on the $1 Night before Thanksgiving. Then come again to the $1 Night Light Display every Thursday and Friday evening from Black Friday leading up to Christmas. Civic Center Garage parking is validated for free.
Special Events in December:
|
Fri., Dec. 13 |
5:30-7:30 p.m. |
PFW Holiday Carolers |
Santa & Reindeer Saturday
Saturday, December 14 and 21, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
This December, Santa himself returns to the Botanical Conservatory on Saturdays leading up to Christmas! Strike a pose with the man in red while enjoying indoor scenery accompanied by the “Gnome for the Holidays” exhibit. Please note: Santa takes a break from 2:00-2:30 p.m. While visiting, you also won’t want to miss out on an outdoor appearance with a friendly and majestic reindeer. Regular admission fees apply. Sponsored by: Air-Xray, PBS Fort Wayne and Majic 95.1.
Summit City Music Theatre presents: A Christmas Carol
December 13, 14 and 15
Friday, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, 2:00 p.m.
Salomon Farm Park, 817 West Dupont Road
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol captivates, entertains and changes hearts. This holiday season, Gavin Thomas Drew and Chapman Shields return their immersive adaptation of this classic tale to the Old Barn at Salomon Farm Park along with a cast of talented local artists and musicians. This show is rated G and is family-friendly. Tickets are $25 per adult, $20 per senior (65+) and student. Seating is general admission. The historic venue is not a temperature-controlled building. There will be a heater blowing warm air into the Old Barn but it cannot maintain a warm temperature during the cold winter months, so guests are encouraged to bring blankets to stay cozy and warm. Hot chocolate and concessions will be available for purchase. Heated restrooms will be available right next to the Old Barn and restroom facilities on the north side of the Wolf Family Learning Center will be available for use. Purchase tickets online at www.fortwayneparks.org or by phone at 260-427-6000.
Basche’s Self-Defense for Women
Saturday, December 14, 12:00 p.m.
Jennings Recreation Center, 1330 McCulloch Street
Sensei Basche will teach woman the basics of staying safe when out alone and danger may be approaching. This free class is designed for ages 10 to adult (ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by a parent/guardian).
Featuring:
Thursday Theme Nights: Holiday Cheer
Thursday, December 19, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Headwaters Park, 333 South Clinton Street
Bring your friends and family together for a night of fun on the ice! General admission ($6) and skate fees ($3) apply. Stay up to date on Facebook pages for @HeadwatersParkFW and @FortWayneParks. Headwaters Ice Rink sponsored by: WANE 15, Loud 103.3 and Hot 107.9.
Winter Solstice Walk/Ride and Campfire
December 21, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Salomon Farm Park, Wolf Learning Center, 817 West Dupont Road
On the shortest day of the year, let’s create the bright! Bring a flashlight, battery-operated lantern or Christmas lights and join us by wheel or by heel to enjoy the Winter Solstice on the Pufferbelly Trail and Salomon Farm Trail Loop. All cyclists are encouraged to light up their bicycles for fun. A front white light and red, rear reflector on each bike are required for safety purposes. Walkers can deck out with Christmas decorations, lights and bells. Bicyclists will depart at 5:30 p.m. for a 6.5-mile ride. The 1.65-mile walk around the Salomon Farm Trail Loop will begin immediately after riders depart. Gather back at Salomon Farm following the ride and walk for food, a campfire and stories of the history of Salomon Farm. The City of Fort Wayne Greenways and Trails and the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Departments are partnering to present this free event. Sponsored by: DLZ, a full-service, multidisciplinary, family-and minority-owned professional consulting firm that has earned a reputation for over 100 years as a leader in the architecture/ engineering and construction services industries throughout the Midwest.
Solstice Lights Hike & Food Drive
December 21, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Avenue
Bundle up, cover yourself with battery-operated lights and glow sticks and celebrate the Winter Solstice at Lindenwood! It’s the longest night of the year, so let’s light up the woods to welcome back the sun and the return of longer days. In the spirit of giving, bring a non-perishable food item. Donations will be delivered to the Community Harvest Food Bank. No registration is necessary.
Also Happening:
Holiday Showcase Exhibit: Gnome for the Holidays
Until January 5, public hours
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
There’s no place like Gnome for the holidays. This year, the Botanical Conservatory’s seasonal exhibit celebrates the festive culture of holiday homecoming with a whimsical twist. Imaginative displays will warm the hearts of visitors and offer themed opportunities to capture treasured family photos. Cozy accents will tie together a heartfelt display featuring a mythical poinsettia tree along with large fresh cut evergreens and playful touches. Gnome is where the garden is this holiday season. Sponsored by: Air Xray, PNC Charitable Trusts, English Bonter Mitchell Foundation, Wilson Foundation, Fort Wayne Park Foundation, PBS Fort Wayne and Majic 95.1.
Headwaters Ice Rink
Monday – Friday, 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Headwaters Park, 333 South Clinton Street
The rink will be open Monday to Sunday through *January 6. Admission will be $6 for skaters age three and above, free for age two and below. Skate rental will be $3. An array of special programming is planned at Headwaters Ice Rink for the 2024-2025 season starting in December with themes like 80’s Night, Skate it Off (Taylor’s version) and Holiday Cheer followed by fresh themes in January and February, skating demonstrations and a meet and greet with a very special guest character. Thanks to a donation by Marcia Crawford and Grant Crawford, reduced admission skating and skate rental opportunities will be available in January and February to celebrate the memory and community service of Dr. John Crawford, a physician and radiation oncologist and 20-year member of the Fort Wayne City Council. Discover all of the details in the Winter edition of the Fun Times activity guide. For the latest parking map, please go to www.fortwayneparks.org and search Headwaters Park. Ten-punch skating passes will be available to purchase at the rink, located at 333 South Clinton Street in downtown Fort Wayne, during normal operation hours.
*After January 6, the rink will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The rink will also be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Additional or extended hours will be announced throughout the season. Stay up to date on Facebook pages for @HeadwatersParkFW and @FortWayneParks. Headwaters Ice Rink sponsored by: WANE 15, Loud 103.3 and Hot 107.9.
Ben Klinger: Down on Main Street
Until January 5, public hours
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
As a Fort Wayne native, Ben Klinger has always been drawn to bold fonts, neon signs and historic architecture. Ben is a visual artist whose preferred mediums include ink and acrylic paints. He enjoys paying homage to his hometown and the Hoosier state with bright colors and bold lines. “I can remember, as a child begin fascinated by painted ghost signs, old neon and the old buildings from my neighborhood. I grew up a few blocks from the Rialto and the sign out front just called my name. I love creating art with the hope of sparking the same nostalgia for others.”
