After the rush of the holiday season, frigid conditions and lack of sunlight can lead us to retreat from active community life and take shelter in our warm homes. This lack of pleasant weather and social activity can lead to the “winter blues.” But Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation has the perfect solution. 

Winterval returns to downtown Fort Wayne and surrounding areas Saturday, Jan. 27. It’s a day packed with unique winter activities aimed at stirring the hibernating community back to life.

“It is an opportunity to get out of the house in the middle of wintertime and participate in some fun, great activities for the family,” said Patti Davis, superintendent of recreation for Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation. “This is what it was designed for, because, in the wintertime, you get all cooped up in the house.”

No shortage of activities

Davis, who has been with the department 37 years, said that as communities split into smaller groups, Winterval offers an opportunity for different people to come together, socialize, and try their hand at activities they have never tried.

Among these special events are the opportunity to try curling at Fort Wayne Curling Club, 3837 N. Wells St., and ice skating at Headwaters Park. While you’re at Headwaters, you can also meet the Heartland Mushers’ sled dogs from 1-4 p.m.

“It’s such a variety that I will guarantee, if they come out of their house and join us for Winterval, they’re going to find something that they love and will want to come back year after year,” Davis said.

The majority of events at Winterval are free of charge. 

Hardy explorers will set out at 9 a.m. at Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Ave., for a guided hike. Visitors can also warm themselves by a bonfire at the 110-acre preserve. 

Another free event will be at The Old Fort, 1201 Spy Run Ave., where re-enactors from Historic Fort Wayne will react to rumors of war in Europe from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The downtown Allen County Public Library will offer indoor crafts while supplies last, beginning at noon as an artist carves ice outside on the library’s plaza. 

Davis said among the many offerings of Winterval, there are numerous activities at the Community Center that people will not want to miss. 

One of these events is a take on the show Antiques Roadshow. People will be able to bring their old items to an auctioneer to see if they have treasured collectibles or just sentimental knick knacks. 

Ice carvings, including a live ice carving demonstration, will also appear at the Community Center alongside a handcraft market. Miniature golf, a candy luge, carriage rides, and more only add to the fun.

“If you only can make it to one place, that’s where I would suggest to go,” Davis said.

Race is on

Davis said that as Winterval snowballs into its 13th year, more and more families have marked it on their calendar as an annual tradition. 

The big event for this year is The Amazing Winterval Race, a take on the show The Amazing Race. While registration closed Jan. 19, Davis said teams will go around town to perform challenges. The grand prize is a trip for two to the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.

For the adults

In the evening, a 21-and-older Winter Cozy at the Park Foundation Pavilion at Promenade Park will bring the festivities to a close. 

This party, which begins at 6 p.m. and lasts four hours, is a retro-80s après-ski themed event and features music, dancing, and food available from teds snack + bar. 

Entry to Winter Cozy is $10, and tickets are limited.

“We don’t usually put on adults-only kind of programs focused on drinking and live music outside of our normal summer concert series,” said Sarah Umbdenstock, program coordinator for Riverfront Fort Wayne. “This is kind of like a small scale of that in winter, so it’s just a nice night to get out.”