Following its triumphant return last summer, Solfest has set its sights on raising money for county parks and a day packed with stellar music and a variety of activities. 

Following year’s at Fox Island County Park, the event was moved to Parkview Field in 2022. 

This year’s festival will move again as Fox Island recovers from a severe storm last year, taking place on Saturday, June 10, at Metea County Park from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Well-known local bands

This marks the second year Sarah Loshe and Josh Wiley have organized the event, taking over after the festival’s hiatus between 2019 and 2021. Proceeds generated from ticket sales will go to funding Metea Park and Fox Island. 

“They only have three employees at both parks,” Loshe said in an interview with Whatzup. “So in total, they only have six county employees among the two county parks. Most people don’t know that. So they need all the help they can get. They don’t ask for it, but they can use it. And they really do rely on our support from the community for the county parks.”

Loshe said that when festivalgoers arrive, they will be met with music from two stages. 

Headlining the event will be local favorite U.R.B., who describe themselves as “a mix of reggae, hip-hop, rock-n-roll, and heavy in the funk.” They will take the main stage at 9 p.m.

Another notable band she pointed out is Left Lane Cruiser, which perform at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage. 

Loshe said the band “was huge in Fort Wayne that left the scene. And now, I’m having them back, and everybody’s really excited.” 

Music begins at the main stage at 11 a.m. with School of Rock, followed by Los Galaxy, Phil Schurger, Wailhounds, Grateful Groove, Moser Woods, Left Lane Cruiser, and U.R.B.

On the side stage, things are acoustic, with Patti Whitemoss kicking things off at 11 a.m., followed by Sunny Taylor, Shelly Dixon, A Picker & A Grinner, Esther Rose, Gracie Jo, Dan Dickerson & Haiden Marie, and Adam Baker.

Even more entertainment

Along with a day filled with music, festivalgoers will also encounter a number of food and craft vendors through the Fort Wayne Maker’s Market.

“You can start walking around and get yourself a drink from Mad Anthonys or a food truck,” Loshe said. “And then you can move on through to go look at the vendors, local vendors. Everything from artists, painters, to homemade, handcrafted items for all ages.”

Participants will also have the opportunity for swimming and other water-based activities as well as children’s activities like face-painting and henna.

Acrobatic performers will also be on hand, as will Pyroscope with their entertaining fire shows, LED spinning, and juggling.

Donation-based kayaking provided by Earth Adventures will be available until 6 p.m. 

A unique childrens’ activity, Loshe noted, will be the “foam party” hosted by local business Bubble Buddies.

Passion for parks

Loshe has a fiery passion for Allen County’s parks and wants to ensure both have the resources that they need to continue serving the community. 

“I have special love for both of them,” she said. “No. 1, they both have a really nice lake that the kids can swim in, and there’s a little beach and stuff, and that’s not everywhere. But Fox Island is closed right now from the storm devastation last year, so they’re planting trees right now.”

During the month of May, volunteers planted trees every Saturday in an attempt to restore and reforest Fox Island with the help of funds from Solfest 2022. 

According to Loshe, while Solfest was held at Parkview Field, hosting the event at Metea Park helps show people the natural public spaces that their money benefits.

“I want people to see where we’re raising money for,” she said. “I want them to come and enjoy the park that we’re trying to help. I want to show people where it’s at. I don’t want them to just give money. I want them to give money and then come see where it’s going.”

Loshe said that she goes to the county parks to ask them directly about their greatest needs then directs the funds generated from Solfest to fill those deficits. 

This year, some of the funds will go toward park classes that teach about reforestation and how to plant and grow trees.

“We need to have classes to educate them and I want to pay the teachers,” Loshe said. “That’s not a thing. They’re just going to be expected to do it during their hours and not get paid extra for it. … I’m making sure that all the money that goes from the kayaks goes to Fox Island for the tree-planting education and any tools or anything that they may need towards reforestation and reopening the park.

“I like to hear their needs, I go straight to them. I go straight to (park and education manager) Natalie (Haley) at Fox Island and say, ‘What do you need? How can I make your life easier?’ Because they’re actually on the property doing the work and making things better for the people who are there: us, the community.”