June 1, 2023

One Year at SL!

It’s officially been one year since I took over as Smart Living editor from my mentor and friend, Janine Pumilia. I think it’s important to recognize milestones, particularly because they make for great opportunities to reflect.

If I’m being honest, this past year has been a lot of fun! I’ve been able to interview some fascinating people, including Teresa Galley, executive director of the Wabash County Museum, and Mike “The Wizard” Burgess, owner of Wizard’s World Pinball Arcade, plus so many other incredible people in between. (And if you missed those stories, you can find them at smartlivingfortwayne.northwestquarterly.com). Our community is full of passionate people who love what they do, and that passion is contagious.

If I’m being honest a second time, I had never heard of Shipshewana until becoming the editor of this magazine. I know — it’s actually embarrassing. But now, I’m obsessed with this quaint Amish town, and I can’t believe I was unaware of their flea market until only this year. Now that I know, I fully encourage everyone to visit!

This year has had its challenges as well. Balancing my editorial duties with being a “stay-at-home” mom to my 1-year-old baby has been tricky to navigate at times. Thank goodness for my mom and mother-in-law, who graciously and eagerly provide child care. I couldn’t balance it all without them. I know how lucky I am.

If I could sum up this past work year in only three words, I would choose “adventurous,” “motivational” and “caffeinated.” I explored, I learned, and I drank a WHOLE bunch of coffee. (For reference, our Keurig is the only thing we keep out permanently on our kitchen counter).

This job is truly a blessing. Cheers to more years of creating interesting, informative content and writing honest front columns. It will always be my mission to deliver you a quality product.

Have a great week! ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

Enjoy 3 Activities at Putt Putt Fun Center

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Since he was 9 years old, John Snyder has worked at Putt Putt Fun Center, 4530 Speedway Dr., Fort Wayne.

“My first job was picking up cigarette butts for a penny a piece. Everyone smoked back then, so I made some good money,” Snyder laughs.

Now, as general manager, he’s proud to offer the public a number of fun activities at an exemplary financial value.

“We have people who come from all over for our good prices,” he says. “The original golf course was built in 1970 and my father [John Snyder Sr.] bought it in 1976. We’ve been here ever since, and we’ve done a lot. All the customization, all the landscaping – we’ve done everything ourselves. We’re really proud of what’s here.”

Putt Putt Fun Center offers three 18-hole golf courses, gokarting and arcade games. Each of the three golf courses are beautifully landscaped according to their theme, Snyder says.

“There’s a volcano course that has a volcano that you get to play through, and it also shoots fire on a timer at night,” he says. “That course is themed like Atlantis, so it has pillars and all of that kind of scenery.

“Then, there’s the jungle course, which has all of these big fountains, vines, trees and shade,” he adds. “You get to play around water, and there’s buttons that kids can press for water to shoot up, and different effects like that.

“And then, of course, there’s the classic course, which is the most traditional putt putt course.”

The golf courses are open year-round, weather permitting.

The arcade is also open year-round, with the price of 80 tokens for $10. That equals out to 8 tokens for $1, or 12.5 cents a token.

“We have a room that we just opened that’s a retro arcade, where you can find games like Pac Man from back in the 1980s,” Snyder says. “Then, the rest of the arcade is redemption games, where people can win tickets for prizes. We have the best prizes,

hands down.”

Prizes span in price from $.05 to $700 and include everything from stuffed animals to PlayStation 5s. The top prize is an X-Box, which can be redeemed for 70,000 tickets.

“All of the retro games are just 1 token to play, while redemption games vary,” Snyder says.

Go-karting is open from the beginning of April until the end of October. Most people ride in 1-seater karts, but 2-seater karts are available to accommodate kids who are too short to drive on their own. Each ride lasts about 5 minutes, with 10 to 15 cars typically out at once.

“It’s a very cool track where you go around a figure 8 loop and up and over a bridge,” Snyder says.

Drivers must be at least 56 inches tall to drive alone, and 58 inches tall to drive a passenger. Passengers can ride for free and must be at least 3 years old and 36 inches tall.

Miniature golf and go-karting both cost $9 per person for one course/ride, $14 for two courses/rides, or $18 for three courses/rides. Kids ages 3 and under can enter free, while kids ages 4-7 can enter for $3 for the whole day. Seniors ages 55 and older and military members receive discounts of $5 for one course/ride, $8 for two courses/rides, and $10 for three courses/ rides. A punch card system allows customers to split between golf and go-karting as they wish.

“We also have an anniversary special the first or second week in June where we sell Putt Putt golf for half price. We’ve done that deal since 1976,” Snyder says.

Currently, Putt Putt Fun Center is still in its spring hours. Go-karting opens at 5 p.m. daily, while the arcade and golf courses are open Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Monday-Thursday noon-9 p.m.; Friday noon-midnight; and Saturday 10 a.m.-midnight.

Summer hours will start after Memorial Day, with go-karting opening in the morning and all activities staying open later.

Visit fortwayneputtputt.com for more information.

The arcade is open year-round and has both retro and redemption games.

Putt Putt Fun Center offers three 18-hole golf courses, go-karting and arcade games. Summer hours start after Memorial Day.

Make Home Projects a Painless Experience

By Peggy Werner

Van’s Home Center, 106 Peckhart Ct., in Auburn, Ind., just off I-69 and State Road 8, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this fall. Their focus on providing quality products at affordable prices, along with excellent customer service, has paved the way for the growing business to evolve into a one-stop-shop for everything needed to furnish a home.

“We have people shopping with us who shopped with Van and Mary Lou when the store first opened,” says Brittany Brouer, marketing director. “Many people remember the original store in Angola and share their memories with us. Customer service is at the core of our business and something we are very proud of. We have a lot of repeat customers because they can get everything in one location.”

Through the years, the business has grown to include furniture, appliances, mattresses, flooring, cabinets, countertops, carpeting and tile.

Van’s is unique in that it services everything it sells, has its own delivery and installation teams, and offers customers extended warranties on all products. The staff is professionally trained and knowledgeable about all of the products being sold.

“When it comes to doing business with us, there are no third parties. Everything happens under our own roof,” Brouer adds.

Over the last several years, Van’s has undergone a handful of remodels and expansions, including adding a new mattress gallery, expanding the furniture showroom, adding a flooring and tile showroom, adding a dedicated scratch and dent showroom, and adding a “live” kitchen showroom where all appliances are plugged in and working, so customers can see the various features.

Van’s currently maintains three warehouses, with a fourth one soon to start construction. Employees can help customers at any budget, whether they just need a new sofa or want to undertake a remodel or start new construction. Van’s also works directly with dozens of area home builders, providing clients with everything from appliances to furniture and flooring.

Through the years, Brouer has observed how customers have changed by not wanting to waste time.

“Most customers today don’t want the hassle of shopping around,” she says. “They want their home projects to be as easy

and painless as possible. Because of the internet, they have done their research and have a better understanding of what they want, and they want to save time.”

At the same time, they expect to be listened to, cared for, and valued.

“We have given our community the option of shopping at a locally owned family business with a great selection and competitive prices, that values customers enough to want to maintain a relationship with them for a lifetime,” Brouer adds. “Our customers get a personalized shopping experience with us. Hopefully, when they need something for their home, they think of Van’s. Today, everything is so automated, people enjoy the personal touch of a local business. They like knowing they are a valued customer and not just another transaction.”

And for those who don’t have time to shop in person, everything can be bought online at vanshomecenter.com.

“Looking toward the future, we just want to make sure we are fulfilling customers’ needs, as we always have done. Everything we do is the result of giving customers a trusted, local destination for everything for the home,” Brouer says. “We are grateful to be able to maintain a business for 50 years, and that’s only because people trust us.” ❚

No Need to Hide

God loves us and wants to be loved back. “Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered,” Jesus Christ tells us about God’s love for us. (Luke 12:7)

Yet many of us believe that if God really knew us, He couldn’t possibly love us. Our shame may cause us to “hide” from God. This is exactly the opposite of “come boldly to the throne of grace,” (Hebrews 4:16) which is what God wants us to feel comfortable doing.

Adam and Eve tried hiding in the garden, after sinning. It didn’t work. They only managed to distance themselves from God, to their great detriment.

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ So he [Adam] said, ‘I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.’” (Gen. 3:8-10)

No one can hide from God. And not one of His children needs to.

“Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:24)

God knows what we’re made of and loves us anyway. His grace is not dependent upon our goodness but upon God’s goodness. To ignore this is to ignore what Christ accomplished for us on the cross. Through Christ, the bridge between people and God was rebuilt. God doesn’t want us to be distant from Him; He loves us and yearns for us to love Him back. But we can’t love someone we don’t know.

Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7 NIV) No hiding! ❚

Janine Pumilia

Family-Friendly Entertainment at Blue Gate

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

With a theater, restaurant, hotel and shopping options, the Blue Gate at 175 N. Van Buren St., Shipshewana, has become a Midwestern household name.

“The Blue Gate was founded in the early ‘80s when the Shipshewana Flea Market was gaining popularity across the

Midwest,” says Andy Rohrer, vice president of sales and marketing. “As the town’s shopping district and tourism offerings have grown, the Blue Gate has become a cornerstone of the Shipshewana experience.”

This year, the Blue Gate Theatre is featuring more than 100 performers in over 300 shows, including four musicals.

“We have a little of everything,” Rohrer says. “That said, we’re thrilled to add some new outstanding performers to our list of ‘can’t believe they’re performing in little Shipshewana’ artists.”

Such artists include the Steve Miller Band, Trace Adkins, Styx, the Gaither Vocal Band, Old Crow Medicine Show, Crowder, Marie Osmond and more.

“First and foremost, we love music, and there’s nothing better than seeing a favorite performer live or hearing a song you’ve heard a thousand times on the radio played in the same room, often with a fun story to go along with it,” Rohrer says. “But we also love the experi-

In the heart of Amish country, The Blue Gate has become a Midwestern household name for its theater, restaurant, hotel and shopping options. Visitors can enjoy concerts, homestyle cooking, family-friendly activities and warm hospitality.

ence of welcoming the guests that attend. When people come and leave happy, there’s nothing better than knowing our team helped them have a great time.”

Tickets prices always depend on the artist performing, but guests can attend certain tribute shows for as little as $24.95. Prices extend up to $120-140 for front-row seats for some of the biggest names who are performing, Rohrer adds.

“The best place to buy is always TheBlueGate.com,” he says. “People have to be careful these days, as third-party scalpers are everywhere and can charge two to three times the ticket price sometimes.”

As an Amish town, Shipshewana is known for its hospitality. The Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery offers Amish homestyle comfort foods and a true taste of the local culture, Rohrer says.

“Guests especially love our pressure-fried chicken and more

than 20 varieties of made-from-scratch pies,” he says. “We also serve guests in three different ‘styles,’ including regular menu dining, family-style, and our all-you-can-eat buffet. The in-house bakery provides the breads, pies and pastries that you can get in the restaurant, or you can take a slice of Shipshewana home.”

The Blue Gate Garden Inn is a convenient option for anyone attending a concert, as the performing arts center is located just a short walk from guests’ hotel rooms.

“The Blue Gate Garden Inn is the newest hotel in town, and we work hard to make it the best hotel as well,” Rohrer says. “One of our guests’ favorite amenities is our all-you-can-eat hot breakfast buffet, featuring all your favorites, made-to-order omelets, waffle bar and more. It’ll be one of the best breakfasts you’ve ever had and it’s included with your room.”

In addition to the noteworthy breakfast and convenient location, The Blue Gate offers amenities such as an in-hotel ice cream and pizza parlor, a large patio with a firepit, an arcade, a large sitting area to congregate with family and friends, a basketball court, shuffleboard, a friendly staff, and “one of the biggest hotel pools you’ll find these days,” Rohrer adds.

“The Shipshewana Community as a whole does an amazing job extending hospitality to our guests,” he says. “If there is anything that is added specifically by the Blue Gate, I think over the years it’s been the ability of the Riegsecker family and the Blue Gate team to create new experiences like the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center or the Christmas Parade or even overthe-top photo opportunities with flowers, pumpkins or Christmas lights. We’re always looking for new ways to improve and make the time our guests spend with us just a little better and more meaningful.” ❚

See the full concert schedule, book a hotel room, or learn more at thebluegate.com.

The Blue Gate Garden Inn is located just a short walk from the performing arts center, making it a convenient option for out-of-town concert-goers. The Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery is known for its pressure-fried chicken, made-from-scratch pies, and other homestyle comfort foods.

Located in Shipshewana, The Blue Gate is known for its superior hospitality.

What to Expect From Your Investments?

To help achieve your financial goals, you may need to invest in the financial markets throughout your life. However, at times your investment expectations may differ from actual returns, triggering a variety of emotions. So, what are reasonable expectations to have about your investments?

Ideally, you hope that your investment portfolio will eventually help you meet your goals, both your short-term ones, such as a cross-country vacation, and the long-term ones, such as a comfortable retirement. But your expectations may be affected by several factors, including the following:

• Misunderstanding – Various factors in the economy and the financial markets trigger different reactions in different types of investments, so you should expect different results. When you own stocks, you can generally expect greater price volatility in the short term. Over time, though, the “up” and “down” years tend to average out. When you own bonds, you can expect less volatility than individual stocks, but that’s not to say that bond prices never change. Generally, when interest rates rise, you can anticipate that the value of your existing, lower-paying bonds may decrease, and when rates fall, the value of your bonds may increase.

• Recency bias – Investors exhibit “recency bias” when they place too much emphasis on recent events in the financial markets, expecting that those same events will happen again. But these expectations can lead to negative behavior. For example, in 2018, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell almost 6%, so investors subject to recency bias might have concluded it was best to stay out of the markets for a while. But the Dow jumped more than 22% the very next year. Of course, the reverse can also be true: In 2021, the Dow rose almost 19%, so investors who might have been susceptible to recency bias may have thought they were in for more big gains right away – but in 2022, the Dow fell almost 9%. Here’s the bottom line: Recency bias may cloud your expectations about your investments’ performance – and it’s essentially impossible to predict accurately what will happen to the financial markets in any given year.

• Anchoring – Another type of investment behavior is known as “anchoring” – an excessive reliance on your original conviction in an investment. So, for instance, if you bought stock in a company you thought had great prospects, you might want

to keep your shares year after year, even after evidence emerges that the company has real risks – for example, poor management, or its products could become outdated, or it could be part of an industry that’s in decline. But if you stick with your initial belief that the company will inevitably do well, and you’re not open to new sources of information about this investment, your expectations may never be met.

In many areas of life, reality may differ from our expectations, and that can certainly be true for our investments. Being familiar with the factors that can shape your expectations can help you maintain a realistic outlook about your investments. ❚

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington D.C. through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C., Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C., and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C. California Insurance License OC24309.

Pamela S. Covington, CFP® RICP® AAMS®

Financial Advisor

6525 Constitution Drive, Fort Wayne, IN, 46804 (260) 478-8038

edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-advisor/ pam-covington

How to Care for Your Furniture

By Peggy Werner

Buying quality furniture is a big investment, so it only makes sense to properly care for it to keep it looking good for as long as possible.

“Top quality furniture is made to last, but it will show signs of wear and tear unless you take steps to prevent that from happening,” says sales manager and designer Arianna Brock of Fairfield Galleries, US 33 North, Fort Wayne. “People think about how to use furniture, but they don’t give much thought to how to take care of it. Everything in the home needs to be cleaned and maintained to look good and be functional.”

Every piece of furniture and fabric has a different cleaning code that should be read and adhered to, she says. The code tells you how to clean the material and it may also tell you what product to use, whether a solvent-based or water-based cleaner, or no cleaner at all. Some materials require only a wipe with a damp cloth or vacuuming.

Brock has several tips on how to keep that quality furniture looking like it was just delivered.

It’s a good idea to rotate and fluff cushions, since people tend to sit in the same chair or in the same place on a sofa. Most seat cushions are the same on both sides, so they can easily be

flipped. Back cushions are not always removable, but can benefit from a regular fluffing.

Run a damp cloth over wood furniture regularly then dry after to avoid buildup of dust and dirt. For fabric and leather, vacuum regularly with an upholstery brush. Vacuum the frame, too, and take off cushions to clean under them. Brock suggests rotating cushions at least once a week.

Just because wood furniture is long-lasting and solid, and has a great finish, doesn’t mean it doesn’t need protecting.

“Water is wood’s worst enemy,” Brock says. “It’s best to protect the surface of any table by either using a glass table top or placemats and coasters.”

Heat and grease are just as destructive, she says. She has seen instances where people let hot wing trays or pizza boxes sit on a table for a long time without taking any precautions.

“Heat pulls the moisture out of the table and can cause the best finish to be damaged and turn cloudy,” she says.

A little effort can result in better-looking, longer-lasting furniture.

For more information on furniture and interior design, call Brock at (260) 489-5526. ❚

Pay a Visit to These Places in Amish Country

By Peggy Werner

Shipshewana and the LaGrange County area are home to one of the largest Amish communities in the United States. Known for their simple, plain and rustic lifestyle, visitors are drawn to the area to learn more about the people who believe neighbors and relatives are a blessing from God. Those values are reflected in how they do business, as well as how they live their personal lives.

Russell and Allyse Yoder own and manage Yoder Popcorn, 0920 N. State Road 5, a family-owned business since 1936. They have 10 varieties of popcorn and are best known for their premium white and premium yellow, Tiny Tender Yellow, Tiny Tender White and Lady Finger. Most of the varieties are grown, harvested and processed on two farms they own.

“Anyone can eat Lady Finger because it has no hull,” says Allyse. “The elderly, kids with braces, and those with diverticulitis and other health problems can eat it. What sets us apart is the quality of our popcorn. It’s always fresh, pops up nicely, and has a good taste. People always comment on the good taste.”

Customers can buy popcorn, apparel, bowls and buckets, and gift baskets at the retail store or at yoderpopcorn.com. They ship products all over the world and have a large customer following, she says.

The business has grown, especially since the couple took over as owners in 2018 and moved the store to its current location. Russell is the fourth-generation owner. The couple is not Amish, but values and respects the lifestyles, Allyse says.

Dustin Yoder is a fourth-generation co-owner, along with his father, two aunts, and two brothers-in-law, of Yoder’s Meat & Cheese, 435 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana.

The store specializes in all-natural grass and grain-fed beef, pork, chicken, lamb and buffalo. They also have a full line of in-house smoked meats, cheeses and artisan foods. The business opened in 1960 as a custom processing center and expanded through the years to become a retail business.

“Quality and consistency are everything to us,” Dustin says. “We have an edge over everyone else because we are in control of the whole process from start to finish, from raising the animals to processing the animals to stocking the retail shelf for the customer. We dry age the meat, which releases flavor and tenderizes it. Then, we flash-freeze it, so when a homeowner pulls meat out of their freezer, it’s a much better quality and fresher than you would get at a grocery store.”

The business started out as a custom butchering and processing facility in Goshen. At one time, there were two locations, one in Goshen and one in Shipshewana, for about 18 years. When a

fire broke out at the Goshen plant in 1992, the family moved the entire business to the current location. In 2003, they built the current processing facility and retail store. They own about 450 acres, which includes a second farm purchased in 2012 to keep up with the growing demand for their products.

“Our meat is as natural as it can get,” Dustin says. “We don’t use byproducts in the feed, or antibiotics or hormones, to induce weight gain. We are very particular about how the animals are raised and fed because we can change the flavor and tenderness by how they are handled and what they eat.”

His customer base is about a 200-mile radius of the store, but many people travel farther to purchase their products. Soon, people will be able to place orders at yodersmeatandcheese.com.

The Amish lifestyle is dictated by the “Ordnung,” a German word meaning order, which differs from one community to another. What is acceptable in one community may not be acceptable in another. There are few generalities true for all Amish. Most, though, have no home phones, electricity or computers at home.

The various communities have different rules and regulations, but they all subscribe to some of the basic characteristics of Amish lifestyle, like dressing in plain and neutral-colored clothes, traveling by horse and buggy, farming with horse-drawn equipment, and being family oriented. Non-Amish live among the Amish.

“What it boils down to is that it’s not about what you do or don’t do, being Amish is more about what’s in your heart,” Dustin says. ❚

Entertainment & Events

Smooth Tuesdays

Every Tuesday, 6-9 p.m., enjoy the best in soft rock and classic hits with rotating artists. Clyde Theater, 1808 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, (574) 344-0566, clydetheatre.com.

Nashville Thursdays

Weekly country, bluegrass and other free live music 7-10 p.m. in the Clyde Theater Club Room. Food and drink specials. 1808 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, clydeclubroom.com.

Color in Motion: Butterfly Exhibit

Thru June 25, daily except Mondays. Live butterflies have landed at the Botanical Conservatory bringing with them an array of natural beauty and wonder. Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne, (260) 427-6440, botanicalconservatory.org.

Fort Wayne TinCaps

Thru Sept. 3. Lots of exciting baseball action along with special events and spectacles including fireworks on select nights, bring-yourpet games and discounted food nights. Find the whole schedule at milb.com/fortwayne. Parkview Field, 1301 Ewing St., Fort Wayne.

Shipshewana Flea Market

Thru Sept. 27, Tuesdays & Wednesdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Browse more than 700 booths, a farmers market, a plant and garden section and numerous food options. Shipshewana Flea Market Grounds, 345 S. Van Buren St. Shipshewana, visitshipshewana.org.

YLNI Summer Farmers Market

Thru Oct. 28, Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for

fresh produce, organic fruits and vegetables, hand-made jewelry and crafts, local artwork and more at the former Wayne Candy Factory building, 1501 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne, facebook.com/YLNIFarmersMarket/.

Ghost Tour

Thru Dec. 30, Saturdays 4-6 p.m. Explore a gorgeous building in a 2-hour guided tour listening to ghost stories all along the way. The Bell Mansion, 420 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne, (260) 417-1794, thebellmansion.com.

Wiz Kidz Pinball Tournament

Thru Dec. 30, Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon. A

4-strike pinball tournament for kids presented by one of the world’s largest pinball arcades. Wizard’s World Pinball Arcade, 14613 Lima Road, Fort Wayne, (260) 760-6314, fortwaynepinball.com.

Downtown Live!

June 2, 6-8 p.m. Experience live music from talented local performers, presented by Downtown Fort Wayne. Dine or shop at the many surrounding local businesses. Street parking is free after 5:00 p.m. 800 block of Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, downtownfortwayne.com/events/dtfw-live/.

Germanfest 2023

June 7-11, 10:30 a.m. daily. Authentic German music, food, games and drinks all converge at Headwaters Park, 333 S. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, germanfest.org.

BBQ Ribfest

June 15-18. Four days of mouth-watering BBQ served up just the way you love it by National Award Winning BBQ teams from across the country. Brisket, ribs, pulled pork, rib sandwiches, bbq chicken, and so much more. Headwaters Park Pavilions, 333 S. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, bbqribfest.com.

Allen County Fair

June 20-25. In addition to 4-H festivities, the fair offers a full food court, carnival rides, and lengthy list of family-fun events, including a free ice cream social, hot air balloon flight/ glow, 4X4 truck pull, demo derby, live music, peddle car races and more. Allen County Fairgrounds, 2726 Carroll Road, Fort Wayne, allencountyfairgroundsin.com. ❚

Shop for fresh produce, organic fruits and vegetables, hand-made jewelry and crafts, local artwork and more at the Summer Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Allen County Fair offers carnival rides, games, food and other family-friendly activities June 20-25.