Three Rivers Festival Time!

Kick-off Parade
Saturday, July 10, 10 a.m.
This year’s Festival theme of “Fun in the Sun!” promises many colorful and creative entries, with approximately 130 groups or organizations expected to participate. The Parade will be broadcast live on Indiana’s NewsCenter. The Parade route distance is approximately a two miles, winding through the West Central Neighborhood and downtown. The first Parade unit will step off at approximately 9:45 a.m., and arrive at the downtown broadcast point shortly after 10:00 a.m. The Parade typically finishes just before noon, ending at Calhoun and Superior Streets.


Food Alley
Friday, July 9 through Saturday, July 17 from 11:00am - 11:00pm
Stop by for your yummy Festival favorites, located right next to the Event Pavilion on Duck Street. Grab a snack or a meal---everything from fried cheese, to steak-on-a-stick, to curly fries will be waiting to tempt your taste buds!


Fest Unlimited
Friday, July 9 through Saturday, July 17 from 11:00am - 11:00pm
Located in East and West Headwaters meadows Fest Unlimited welcomes hundreds of thousands of area residents and visitors from the tri-state area to a great spot to enjoy amusement rides for toddler to adult, free displays, interactive exhibits, games and fun! Enjoy your favorite rides for toddlers to adults, with an all-day one-price wristband; and test your skills with the game booths.


Art in the Park
Saturday, July 10 from 11:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday, July 11 from 11:00am - 5:00pm
Freimann Square, downtown
Browse the best works of area and regional artists at this popular arts show & sale.


Crafter's Market
Saturday, July 10 from 11:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday, July 11 from 11:00am - 5:00pm
adjacent to Freimann Square, downtown
Crafter’s Market is a unique venue with a wide array of hand-crafted items, in a cozy market setting that is adjacent to Art in the Park, just north of Freimann Square.


Waiter-Waitress Contest
Monday, July 12 at 12:00pm
The Waiter-Waitress Contest features 3-person teams from your favorite area restaurants, competing in a timed restaurant relay-style serving simulation/obstacle course, for prizes and bragging rights as the best waiter/waitress service team in Fort Wayne. The event is free to all spectators. Cheer on your favorite server as they race to be the fastest and most accurate! Prizes are awarded to the top three fastest serving teams.


Home & Lifestyle Marketplace
Wednesday July 14 - Friday, July 16 from 11:00am - 10:00pm, Saturday July 17 from 11:00am - 11:00pm.
Home & Lifestyle Marketplace is welcoming venue featuring home décor products, home improvement items, leisure & outdoor living products, apparel and unique gift items and services. Enjoy free admission to the gated pavilion area of Headwaters Park West, in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne.


Bed Race
Wednesday, July 14 at 6:30pm
The Bed Race delights spectators with fast, funny and uniquely created beds -- all on wheels -- as their 5-person teams parade down Main Street in front of the City-County Building, starting at 6:30. After the Bed Parade, each team (one bed rider and four teammates) will be pushing, pulling or sprinting to the finish line, for over $1,200 in prizes. The event is free for spectators. Competition categories include Ages 12 & under, and Adult; prizes are awarded in four categories for Best Decorated and Fastest Beds.


Childrens' Fest
Friday, July 16 and Saturday, July 17 from 10:00am - 4:00pm
For children age 12 and under. Hosted in a safe and spacious outdoor setting on the campus of IPFW, north of downtown Fort Wayne, Childrens’ Fest highlights include free amusement rides, a costumed character parade, live entertainment, hands-on activities, educational displays, games and prizes -- all with free admission and free parking! Attendance during 2009 was estimated at 10,000 visitors (children & parents).


Fireworks Finale
Saturday, July 17 at 10:00pm
The Three Rivers Festival Fireworks Finale is the largest fireworks display in Northeast Indiana! Bring a blanket down to Headwaters Park on Saturday, July 17 and enjoy the spectacular colors and big bangs that will close out this year's Festival. Fireworks set off from the top of One Summit Square.


For more information, visit the official Three Rivers Festival website!