We’ve had the cultural and culinary festivals. Now it’s time for the big dog. The one with rides, junk food, live music, art, competitions, and much more. It’s time for the 55th annual Three Rivers Festival.

Kicking off Friday, July 12, and running every day through Saturday, July 20, the festival is centered around Headwaters Park. We at Whatzup are gonna do our best to let you know when, what, and where you’ll want to be to make the most of the festival.

One item not included below is the ever-popular parade, set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 13. The parade route begins at West Wayne and Rockhill streets, making its way east on Wayne to Fairfield Avenue, where it heads north to Berry Street. From there, it makes its way east to Calhoun Street, where it proceeds north to Superior Street.

Oh yeah, the fireworks finale, fired from atop the downtown I&M Plaza, also closes the festival out at 10 p.m. on July 20.

As for the rest of the events … here we go!

Headwaters Park

Of course, Headwaters will be where you want to be for live music and comedy.

Those concerts begin Friday, July 12, with U.R.B. opening at 7 p.m., followed by Fort Wayne Funk Orchestra and national headliner Sugarhill Gang. 

Rock Night is Saturday, July 13, with Dirty Vandals at 7 p.m., followed by Octopussy, and national headliner Hinder. 

The following night is Christian Night with Outdoor Worship opening things at 7 p.m., followed by City Movement and Sanctus Real.

The rest of the live music will be Ladies Night at July 15 with Eliza Toth, Whoa Man!, and Lita Ford; EDM Night on July 17 with JoeSorf, E-Clyps, and Slushii; Heart & Soul Affair on July 18 with Music Lovers Lounge, The Sweetwater All Stars, and Last Call; ’80s Night on July 19 with Unlikely Alibi, Sunglasses at Night, and Crush: A Bon Jovi Experience; and Country Night on July 20 with Rylie Lynn, DJ Dan Sherman, and Rodney Atkins.

The festival will also bring the funny on July 16 for Comedy Night, featuring Big Kess, Aaron Montgomery, and Kam “Snacks” Coleman.

Headwaters will also be your spot for Junk Food Alley, although it will situated on the north side of the pavilion following years on the south side. The spot for your favorite fried food will be open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. each day.

Near Junk Food Alley will be the Emporium, where you can find unique food, jewelry, soaps, clothing, and more from local artisans. The Emporium is open daily.

Across Clinton Street at Headwaters Park East will be River Excursions. Each day between July 12-14, you can get a 20-minute guided tour of our rivers aboard a pontoon.  

Lawton Park

So, after listing many of the activities for Headwaters Park, you may be asking, “What about the midway?”

Well, there’s a reason I did not include it in the Headwaters Park listings. That’s because it won’t be there this year.

For those brightly covered rides and the screams that come with them, you’ll have to head over the river to Lawton Park this year.

Those rides will be going every day of the festival, lasting until 11 p.m. each day

Promenade Park

One of the top scenic destinations of the city will play host to Young at Heart from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16.

This event is catered to those over 60 years old and will have bingo, card games, and lunch.

Also at Promenade will be Northeast Indiana Water Trails’ Pedal, Paddle, Play from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, July 20.

On this scavenger hunt, you walk, bike, or kayak to collect information on our local history with a party at Promenade afterwards.

Freimann Square

A short walk south of Headwaters Park is Freimann Square, with its fountains that draw the attention of every child within sight. 

Among the plants, fountains, and shade, you’ll enjoy Art in the Park from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on July 13 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on July 14 along Main Street.

This juried fine art show draws more than 100 artists from near and far. And if something catches your eye, you can shell out some cash and take it home.

Also on Main Street on Friday-Saturday, July 12-14, will be the Chalk Walk, where chalk artists of all skill levels create beautiful pictures over the course of the weekend, with winners announced the July 14.

In another change this year, the Waiter & Waitress Contest that was held in the pavilion at Headwaters is now at Freimann Square at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 15.

This competition pits the best servers in the city against each other as they take part in an obstacle course, with the best time taking home the prize.

It’s also here that you’ll celebrate Family Fun Day from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17. The event will have plenty of games, activities, and community programming to keep the family engaged.

Purdue University Fort Wayne

And then there are a couple of activities that will take place a few miles from the rest of the downtown action.

It’s at PFW that you will find Children’s Fest from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday-Saturday, July 19-20, and International Village from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, July 19, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, July 20.

Both are pretty much what they sound like: Children’s Fest is a free event that offers activities, face-painting, storytelling, and a magic show to those 3-9 years old, while International Village showcases cultures from across the globe with food, art, and dance.