FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The entire community is invited to the Indiana University-Purdue University (IPFW) campus for RiverFest 2011, sponsored by Steel Dynamics, Saturday, June 25. It will be a day of festivity and celebration of Fort Wayne's rivers, one of our most prominent natural resources. Families will enjoy art, nature, history, sports, games, and water activities including river rides, races, and a ski show. Music enthusiasts will rock with performances by live bands from noon until midnight. The day will culminate with a pontoon flotilla and fireworks display. This event will stimulate interest in preserving our city's rivers and supporting the initiatives of the Fort Wayne Friends of the Rivers.
New to RiverFest 2011 is the Artists Rockin' Chair Auction, sponsored by Do It Best. Eight local artists will offer one-of-a-kind hand-painted rockin' chairs to the highest bidders. The proceeds from the sale of these original Adirondack rockers will benefit Fort Wayne Friends of the Rivers. The silent auction will be on-site from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with the winning bids announced at 8 p.m.
Also new this summer will be a Boat Show both Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26. All types of boats will be on display, including the world champion Formula Boats Miss Budweiser H1 Unlimited Hydroplane.
Returning favorites are the River Walk/Run, sponsored by Upstar. This family-friendly 4 km (2.5 mile) walk/run through IPFW along the River Greenway trails and campus sidewalks gets started with registration at 7:30 a.m. The walk/run itself begins at 9 a.m. There is a fee of $5 per person or $15 for a family of four, with $5 for each additional person, plus an additional $10 for a RiverFest t-shirt. Registration forms are available at ipfwriverfest.org or by calling 260-481-6647.
FamilyFest, sponsored by Parkview, gets started at 10 a.m. and continues with extended hours this year to 8 p.m. Lots of hands-on games, crafts, inflatables, and fun learning activities about water, nature, the history of our city, and much more will be offered.
FoodFest, sponsored by Frontier, will have concessions for everyone: meat lovers, health food enthusiasts, yummy favorites for kids, home-baked goods and treats for adults, along with coffee, soft drinks, and beer. FoodFest also features the Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI) Barr Street Market, offering a wide variety of local produce and crafts; the vendors only sell what they make or grow themselves.
Read more at http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20110512/BLOGS01/110519847
