Ever take a moment to look around at your surroundings in downtown Fort Wayne and wonder what it was like in the distant past? 

Two hundred years ago, Calhoun Street was no more than a simple dirt road. It was a busy, thriving part of the city in the 1820s, but residents could not possibly imagine what it would look like in 2024.

Organized by the city of Fort Wayne and fully supported by sponsorship funds, the annual Open Streets returns to Calhoun Street from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18. 

Check out Open Streets as more than 20 blocks of Calhoun are closed to traffic from The Landing to Pontiac Street. Residents can check out the past and future of the corridor, while visiting nonprofits, taking part in activities, and listening to live music.

Calhoun Street’s heyday

The Open Streets concept originated in Bogota, Columbia, more than two decades ago as a way to show off the city from a fresh perspective. 

More than 100 cities worldwide participate annually by closing busy thoroughfares to give communities a fresh perspective on their normally bustling spaces.

In 1892, Fort Wayne’s electric trolley came to Calhoun Street, forever changing the makeup of the city. Commerce and industry solidified their positions downtown, while new neighborhoods like Lakeside Park and Williams-Woodland Park sprung up in places that were once too far to comfortably walk.

By the 1940s, Calhoun Street became a magnet for retail and business. Hundreds of businesses flourished, including restaurants, specialty shops, and big department stores. This was The Golden Age of downtown Fort Wayne when trolleys and automobiles fueled the post-war economic boom in the area.

Plenty to check out

Open Streets won’t be some dry history lesson, though. It encourages activities for all ages, and Fort Wayne’s 2024 edition has plenty to offer. 

Along the 2-mile route, visitors are encouraged to travel by foot, bike, roller skates, or as a passenger in a stroller. There will be plentiful parking and CTN shuttles run the length of the route to bring wee visitors and their weary parents back to their car when the day is done.

If you like art, there will be live mural painting sponsored by Fort Wayne City Utilities and Art This Way. Purdue University Extension will show off a Spin Art bike. 

If you’re looking for something more physical, don’t miss fitness activities from the YMCA, foot darts and lawn games from Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation, soccer in the streets with Fort Wayne Sport Club, kayak paddling lessons from Northeast Indiana Water Trails, and mobility challenge games from The League. The Fort Wayne Running Club will have a group run at 2 p.m.

Do you or someone in your family like trucks and unusual vehicles? Don’t worry, it’s OK for adults to enjoy cool and interesting machines. 

Check out how many static displays and touch-a-truck exhibits are on tap: Fort Wayne Fire Department will be showing off their gear, and it’s hard to find cooler stuff than fire equipment. Brown Equipment will present their massive road construction trucks. Fort Wayne Police will be there with tactical vehicles. Animal Care & Control will also let you explore one of their vans. GFL will have a waste truck, and the street department will have their equipment on display.

Live and in-person

As far as live activities, there will be plenty throughout the day, including:

• Noon-2 p.m. — Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehabilitation Center will have birds to check out in the 900 block.
• Noon-1:30 p.m. — Live music from Jersey Money in the 2500 block.
• 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. — BMX Show at the I&M Plaza.
• 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. — Dumpster Drummers in the 2000 block.
• 2-3:30 p.m. — Live music from The Namby Pamby in the 2500 block.

You’ll find plenty of food options along the route. Hang out in the air conditioning and get a fine meal at one of the regular restaurants on The Landing or around the Calhoun/Berry intersection. Food trucks will be set up south of Berry Street for top-notch meals on the go.

Calhoun Street’s Golden Age may be a few decades in the past, but every year it comes alive for Open Streets. No big department stores or trolleys; just activities and a chance to make the familiar feel new again. 

Imagine what it will be like to look back on 200 years from now.