10 Best Things To Do In Fort Wayne This Summer
It's finally beginning to look like summer again, the rain has stopped and the sun has finished its game of hide and seek. Along with the emerging great weather, there are numerous festivals, events, and opportunities coming up for the Fort Wayne community to participate in this summer. We have scoured the city and discovered the 10 best things to do this summer in Fort Wayne:
1) Three Rivers Festival
The Three Rivers Festival is definitely one you can’t miss— especially if you love anything deep fried. There are numerous events throughout the week that prelude the festival itself including an artwalk downtown, a raft race on the Saint Mary’s river, and the Three Rivers parade. The festival lights up downtown with rides and flashing lights in Junk Food Alley. Junk Food Alley is just what it sounds like, the perfect fix for any junk food junkie, with food like deep fried twinkies, deep fried cheese, and even deep fried butter (don’t knock it until you try it). The last day of the festival, fireworks are set off on the top of the Indiana Michigan Power Center building, having the festival go out with a bang. This year the festival will be July 10th through the 18th.
2) Dierks Bentley
If summer means one thing, it’s cold beer and country concerts. This summer, we have artist Dierks Bentley, who has had 12 No. 1 songs in his career, coming on July 25th to Parkview Field.
3) Country Fest
We also have the annual Country Fest hosted by K105 on September 19th at Parkview Field. This summer, Big & Rich with A Thousand Horses and Austin Webb will be at Country Fest rockin’ out Parkview Field for all of us--don’t forget your cowboy boots.
4) Taste of the Arts
This is an event in downtown Fort Wayne that will have over 30 participating restaurants creating culinary masterpieces for the Fort Wayne community to try. There will also be a fine art fair where artists from around the area will be displaying and selling their artwork. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just perusing, this is a day for your inner artist to shine. The Taste of the Arts will be August 29th.
5) Lunch on the Plaza
Every Thursday in June, July, and August from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm there will be live music and delicious food downtown at the Indiana and Michigan Power Center. Gorge yourself from over 10 different food trucks that offer foods like spicy cajun, Vietnamese, and sweet and tangy barbeque. It’s the perfect way to take advantage of the summer fun Fort Wayne and support our local Food Trucks. (Previously, "Lunch on the Square")
6) Barr Street Market
What better way to spend a Saturday morning than being downtown buying fresh produce and smelling homemade pastries? At the Barr Street Market, you can do it all. Head over for breakfast with the family or a make it part of your weekly grocery trip this summer. There are over 20 vendors present every Saturday and it is open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Barr Street Market
7) Last Saturday Dollar Day
Every last Saturday of the month, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art offers $1 admission (excluding any special exhibits going on). Whether you’re going alone for a day of relaxation or you’re taking the family, it is a great way to get exposed to one of Fort Wayne’s cultural gems this summer.
8) TinCaps Games
Fort Wayne knows that baseball is the all American sport and that is why our TinCaps are such a hit. From $1 drafts on Thursdays to Jake the Diamond Dog, Parkview Field has a perfect summer night for everyone — complete with peanuts and cracker jacks.
9) Captain Black’s Pontoon Tour
Fort Wayne Outfitters and Bike Depot offers a pontoon tour down our very own Saint Mary’s River and Saint Joseph’s River in downtown. The tour lasts about 2 hours with the option of having Hall’s cater food and drinks and bring up to 12 guests making it the more the merrier. Food, friends, and fun--the epitome of summertime in Fort Wayne.
10) Fox Island County Park
Getting out of the bustle of the city, can sometimes be a challenge, luckily, Fort Wayne has the solution. Head on over to Fox Island County Parkand escape for a day with their 7 miles of trails, Bowman lake for swimming (and fishing), and camp fire pits. Summer picnics never get old and Fox Island County Park is the perfect place for one — we’ll bring the potato salad.
Before you know it, school will start again and summer will be coming to a close, welcoming our old friend Autumn. Whether it's a Tincaps game or a pontoon tour, these are some great ways to take advantage of Fort Wayne and enjoy that gorgeous Indiana weather.
