The 2020 Arts United Awards is Northeast Indiana’s premier celebration of the people, organizations, and businesses that make significant contributions through arts and culture to communities throughout the 12-county region that includes Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Miami, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley counties.
The 2022 Arts United Award nominees are: Abby Leon, Adrian Curry, AiJaye Crowder, Amy Ford, Andy Planck, Ben Clemmer, Bonnie Andrews, Bryan Ballinger, Camille Curry, Campbell MacDonald, Carolyn Meyer and Karissa Kalb, Chris Ford, Circus Hall of Fame, Condra Ridley, Elaina Robbins, Elise Ramel, First Presbyterian Theatre cast of The Wolves, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Fort Wayne Sister Cities, Foundation One, Green Hair Revolution, Greg Mendez, Heartland Sings, James Stover, Jennifer Beineke, Kelly Updike, Kip Bailey, Leah Reeder, Lee Rainboth, Mandie Kolkman and Fort Wayne Dance Collective, Mary Fink, Michael Johnson, Michael Patterson, Mindy Cox, Science Central Education Team, Sheila Moore and Jomare Bowers-Mizzell, Todd Frymier, Tyrone Cato, Warren Theatre Guild, and Zynette Paige.
The 2022 Awards will specifically highlight IDEA — recognizing individuals, teams, and organizations that demonstrate significant work in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access.
Other categories include:
Innovation, Creativity, and/or Artistry: Recognizing individuals, teams, and organizations that contribute to the communities of Northeast Indiana in ways that are especially innovative and/or creative, as well as those who demonstrate exceptional artistry within their medium of art.
Leadership: Recognizing individuals, teams, and/or organizations that demonstrate extraordinary leadership, advocacy, philanthropy, or volunteerism.
Arts Education and Community Engagement: Recognizing individuals, teams, and/or organizations that make an exceptional contribution to the people they serve through arts or cultural programming.
Breakfast with Santa at Avilla Fire Department
The Avilla Fire Department will host a pancake and sausage breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 8-10 a.m., at 200 Main St. in Avilla. Santa will arrive at 9 a.m. and a photographer will be on hand to take pictures of your family with Santa.
Santa Cares Days at Glenbrook
Glenbrook Square will host two Santa Cares Days on Sunday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 12, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Guests of all spectrums of special and sensory needs and abilities are invited to meet the big guy before the mall opens.
Tickets to those events are available at Eventbrite.. Search for “Sensory Friendly Event Glenbrook.”
Holiday market at Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
Santa is coming to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo on Dec. 4-5, 11-12, and 16-23, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each of those days.
Decorate cookies, meet the animals on the farm from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., hear a Christmas tale during story time every hour on the half hour, from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and have your picture taken with Santa Claus.
This event is free and does not require paid admission.
Fantasy of Lights delights through end of year
The 27th annual Blue Jacket’s Fantasy of Lights is open through Dec. 31 with expanded hours: Sunday through Thursday, from 5:30-9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5:30-10 p.m. Admission is $10 per car, $20 per 15-passenger van, and $40 per bus/trolley.
The route is two miles long with 140 scenes, including 13 new displays for the 2021 season.
If you spot the white monkey hidden on the route, let the person in the Candy Cane Cottage at the end of the route know and you’ll receive a special treat. Doggie treats are also available at the pay station, courtesy of Humane Fort Wayne.
The Fantasy of Lights Christmas Village is returning for its second year and features an open-air walk-through village with unique food and craft vendors, holiday music, photo opportunities in displays, and additional holiday lights.
The village is located at the end of the route in the Foellinger Theatre overflow lot off Sherman Boulevard and is open December 2-5, 9-12, and 16-19 from 5:30-9 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays, and 5:30-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays.
Komets seeking anthem singers
The Komets are searching for groups and individuals to sing the National Anthem at home games this season.
Singers, vocal groups, and choirs are invited to email aubrey@komets.com to learn more.
