After last year’s virtual edition, Taste of the Arts returns this year with a few changes to its geography. Now enlisting some new downtown Fort Wayne destinations, the Arts Campus, while remaining the heart of the experience, has been supplemented by programming at the Landing and Promenade Park, with the latter hosting the popular Meet the Music performances. In making the adjustments, Rachelle Reinking, director of communication for Arts United, hopes people will feel comfortable returning to Taste of the Arts.
“The number one thing we considered when we planned the festival was that it would be primarily outdoors,” Reinking said. “By moving some things over to the Landing and over to Promenade Park, it allowed for us to plan for social distancing while still getting the festival experience.”
Another change is the lack of tickets which had formerly been the way patrons purchased the food at the vendor booths. Now visitors will handle those transactions at each booth, which should reduce some of the long lines that often developed when people waited to purchase those tickets. There will also be fewer booths at the NIPSCO STEAM Park on Freimann Square to reduce congestion. Reinking said the changes were made not only to protect patrons but also staff and volunteers who will be at the event most of the day.
“We’re excited to welcome people back,” Reinking said. “We wanted to keep everyone’s health in mind but still welcome people back downtown.”
For updated information, visit the Taste of the Arts on social media.
Here’s a handy guide to what you can expect to find as you visit Taste of the Arts on Saturday, August 28, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.:
For a complete performance schedule, visit artsunited.org/taste/performances/
Food vendors include Ambrosia Orchard, Banh Mi Pho Shop, B. Antonio’s Pizza, Chapman's Brewing Company, Crossroads Kombucha, Hop River Brewing Company, Ivy Tech Grasshopper, Jimmy’s BBQ, Kona Ice, Mad Anthony Brewing Company, Mercadito Taqueria, Shigs in Pit, Summit City Brewerks, Summit City Kettle Corn, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, and West Central Microcreamery.
The Artlink Market, located in front of the Auer Center, will include ADORN Candles & Home Fragrance, The Art Farm, Cat People Press, “I” Wood Artists, Jewelry by Matt Breunig, K1ndgoods, Lan Chi Nancy T. Fritz, Nailed It Together, Old Fort Tee Co., Pursley Design Company, Rada Handmade, Schroeder Pottery, Southern Hospitality, Stitches & Sass, Tactile Melodies, Wandering Press, 0542 Lakeside Art Studio, and 4 Corners Gallery.
Interactive experiences include the STEAM Park, Calhoun Street Crosswalk mural, designed by Adam Garland, the Human Library, and two virtual reality experiences hosted by PFW Department of Art & Design in the AUC lobby which will feature the work of Andres Montenegro and Audrey Ushenko.
Partner Events include:
Kekionga Plein Air Event (Barrett McNagny Parking Lot)
YLNI Farmers Market (Berry Street and Barr Street)
Admission Free Experiences including the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, the History Center, and Artlink
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