The annual Festival of Trees will take place Nov. 24-Dec. 1. The lobbies of the Embassy Theatre and Indiana Hotel will feature 65 decorated trees under the theme of The Magic of the Season.

Founded in 1984, the Festival of Trees supports ongoing operational and restoration efforts for the Embassy Theatre Foundation and is the organization’s largest annual fundraising event.  

Tickets are $10 and available through Ticketmaster. Admission includes visits with Santa (various dates and times) and festive entertainment on stage including the Grande Page pipe organ as well as youth choir and dance performances.

Jurassic Quest roars into Coliseum

Jurassic Quest will be at the Memorial Coliseum Nov. 26-28. Jurassic Quest is billed as “North America’s largest and most realistic dinosaur event,” with more than 100 true-to-life-size animatronic dinosaurs spanning the Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Triassic periods. Exhibits feature fossil digs, dinosaur “rides,” face painting, crafts, and a dinosaur-themed play area. 

All equipment and workstations are regularly sanitized during the show. All attendees receive a free, safari-style family photo in their vehicles set against a dinosaur backdrop as a memento of their experience. 

Tickets are $36 for kids with unlimited rides, $22 regular admission for kids and adults, and $20 for seniors, with discounts available on Friday. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to jurassicquest.com.

Wild edibles tour of Fox Island Park

Wild edibles expert Carrie Vrabel will lead a hike a Fox Island Park, exploring both edible and non-edible plants at the park. 

Pre-registration is required for this event and space is limited to 12 people. Pre-register by emailing jormiston@allencountyparks.org. Regular park entrance fees apply.

Silhouette portraits at Science Central

Second-generation master silhouette artist Chris Casey will fashion heirloom quality silhouette portraits at Science Central’s STEAMsgiving event Friday, Nov. 26, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1950 N. Clinton St. You can even bring or text a side-view photo of your dog or cat for a pet silhouette. 

Using only precision surgical scissors and fine black paper, Chris hand-cuts an heirloom quality silhouette portrait in 2-5 minutes. After the silhouette is cut, it is mounted on a 5×7 card or framed in traditional oval silhouette frames. The entire process is done on site and usually takes only five to ten minutes. 

The finished silhouettes are $35 with up to three additional hand-cut copies are available for just $15 each, and the traditional black hardwood oval silhouette frames with gold trim are available for $40. One appointment per person (multiple appointments not required for additional copies of the same person). 

There are three appointments scheduled approximately every 15-20 minutes, so a family of three can purchase 3 tickets for the same appointment time. Your $10 ticket reserves your appointment time and will be deducted from your total at checkout. General admission to Science Central must be purchased separately and is not included in silhouette reservation.

New director at First Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church has hired a new director of fine and performing arts. Bishop Dwengr alumni and Fort Wayne native Todd Sandman Cruz graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting through the Professional Actor Training Program at the University of Washington, Seattle. After several years of working in theatre both Seattle and Los Angeles, Todd moved back to Muncie, where he was an Associate Professor of Theatre teaching classes and coaching senior acting students for their LA Showcase to be seen by LA casting directors, producers, and agents. 

As the executive director for the Muncie Civic Theatre, which had fallen under difficult times and disrepair, he led the theatre to a full recovery while producing almost 100 shows in his seven years there, as well as directing and acting in many.

‘Trubble Bubbles’ return this winter

Trubble Brewing will again offer outdoor dome dining on their patio. Trubble Brewing began offering their “Trubble Bubbles” in 2020 as a wintertime outdoor-dining option in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the bubble’s popularity, Trubble Brewing plans to bring the outdoor domes back every winter.

The Trubble Bubbles are made of a PVC frame with a clear plastic covering. Each bubble seats eight people comfortably and features windows for ventilation and heaters for cold weather.

Trubble Brewing is a Fort Wayne microbrewer of inventive ales and lagers. Started in 2015 by husband-and-wife team Chad and Keli Hankee, Trubble is also known for their unique and locally-sourced foods such as chicken & waffles, pizza, and the Brewger brewpub burger.

Trubble Bubbles are available Thursday dinner, Friday lunch, and on the weekends. Visit trubblebrewing.com and click on Trubble Bubbles to make your reservation.