“Friends,

July surely is the month of Downtown events. From the opening of the Barr Street Market to the Three Rivers Festival, or from our own IslandFest to the Botanical Conservatory’s “Roots” series, there’s surely something to do for everyone Downtown this summer. Check out this list of just some of the things that are happening.

So come Downtown and don’t forget to tell your friends!

Sincerely,
Your pals at the DID

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DID EVENTS

IslandFest — July 26, 4 p.m. to midnight
Leave the kids at home for an all night party at our downtown island getaway! If it’s been a while since you’ve partied Downtown, then IslandFest is the weekend party you’ve been waiting for. Come down with your friends for awesome reggae and beach music, sand volleyball, and island-inspired food and drinks from Columbia Street West, Club Soda and Hartley’s. This is the Downtown weekend of a lifetime!

Downtown IslandFest will be on Saturday, July 26, from 4 p.m. to midnight on Columbia Street in Downtown Fort Wayne. Live music will be performed by fan favorites UNIVERSAL XPRESSION and AIR MARGARITAVILLE. Parking is FREE in adjacent garage.

Mardi Gras — August 9, 6 p.m. to midnight
HooooWahhhh! Get ready to party on historic Columbia Street as the Big Easy heats up Downtown Fort Wayne. Done New Orleans-style, this event is spiced up with Cajun food, classic cocktails, a tarot card reader, street performers, and great live music featuring 2007 Grammy-nominated RODDIE ROMERO AND THE HUB-CITY ALL STARS and local favorite GOODNIGHT GRACIE to keep the party going all night long…plus, we’ll supply the beads!

Mardi Gras will take place on Saturday, August 9, from 6 p.m. to midnight on Columbia Street in Downtown Fort Wayne. Parking is FREE in adjacent garage.

OTHER EVENTS

The Fort Wayne Newspapers Three Rivers Festival — July 12 - 20
Our largest festival is back and it’s 40 years old this year! The Fort Wayne Newspapers Three Rivers Festival is an annual 9-day celebration of the Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana community. Events include an arts fair, children’s activities, senior’s events, national acts, concessions, a marketplace and a parade which adds up to fun for the whole family.

“Three Rivers” has a wide array of events, please check the schedule at their website at www.trfonline.org.

Barr Street Market — Saturdays, July 12 - Sept 27, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
“The Market” is back! Thanks to Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI) in partnership with the History Center, the Barr Street Market returns to Downtown offering local produce, products and more!

The market begins July 12 and runs every Saturday through September, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the corner of Wayne and Barr streets. Free parking is available in the History Center parking lot along Berry Street. Bicyclists are encouraged to park at a corral in the market.

Accompanying each Saturday morning will be acoustic entertainment as well as a hands-on activity table for children each week, sponsored by the Allen County Public Library Children’s Services and WMEE. The full schedule of children’s activities and entertainment can be found at ylni.org.

Over the Top — July 14, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Don’t miss this great networking event and opportunity for City and County employees, neighborhood associations, networking groups, faith-based and community organization leaders, businesses and elected officials to connect and interact in a casual setting during the 40th Fort Wayne Newspapers Three Rivers Festival.

Over the Top will take place Monday, July 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the north plaza of the City-County Building in beautiful downtown Fort Wayne.

For more information, please contact Denise Porter-Ross, Office of the Mayor, (260)427-2603 or citizens@cityoffortwayne.org.

Botanical ROOTS Music Series — begins July 25, 7:30 p.m.
Looking for live music in a great atmosphere? The Botanical Conservatory offers a fresh breeze, a great view, and the sweet sound of “roots” music by regionally and nationally known performers. The Conservatory’s outdoor Terrace Garden comes alive with the upbeat music that speaks to the soul of a hip, urban lifestyle.

Botanical Roots begins July 25, featuring the reggae styling’s of GIZZAE W/ SAN SIESHIN, at 7:30 p.m. at the Botanical Conservatory (1100 South Calhoun Street in Downtown Fort Wayne). $5 admission fee applies.”