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Today kicks off the traditional start of the holiday season in Fort Wayne.
The lighting of Santa Claus and his reindeer is just one of several coordinated downtown events available to the public on Thanksgiving Eve.
People attending the Downtown Fort Wayne Holidayfest will be able to park in the city’s three downtown garages for free after 5 p.m. The garages are next to Parkview Field, the City-County Building and Grand Wayne Center.
Here’s a rundown of downtown stops that make up the evening:
5 p.m. Community Center, 233 W. Main St., will light Santa’s workshop on its roof. The center is open from 4 to 9 p.m. and will host a viewing of the movie “Elf.” Visitors are asked to donate new or gently used toy bears for the needy.
5:45 p.m. Aunt Millie’s will light its Northern Lights display. The event at its downtown bakery, 350 Pearl St., includes free cider and muffins.
6:15 p.m. The annual lighting of Santa and his reindeer will take place at the National City Bank building on Main Street.
6:45 p.m. The Wells Fargo Holiday Display at the Wells Fargo Building on Calhoun Street will be lit.
7 p.m. The Indiana Michigan Power “Merry Christmas” wreath at One Summit Square on Wayne Street will be lit.
7:15 p.m. The Harrison Street windows display at the Embassy Theatre will begin. The Embassy will hold its Festival of Trees event from 6 to 9 p.m.
Other holiday events available throughout the night downtown:
The Fort Wayne TinCaps will erect a Christmas tree on the center-field concourse of Parkview Field for the holidays. The ballpark will be open today until 8:30 p.m. Until Christmas, the park will be open each Saturday until 7 p.m. Starting at 5 p.m. on those Saturdays, the team will have special holiday programming, including music and scoreboard displays. Details of each event will be available each week at www.tincaps.com.
Foellinger-Freimann
Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St., will have its holiday kickoff party from 5 to 9 p.m. Visitors will be given hot chocolate and a cookie, have a chance to meet Santa and make a card for a service member. The conservatory’s Downtown Landmarks and Garden of Lights exhibits will be open.
The History Center, 302 E. Berry St., will have its Festival of Gingerbread from 5 to 9 p.m. There will be museum tours of gingerbread creations, live performances and Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Grand Wayne Center, 120 W. Jefferson Blvd., will have its holiday party from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The convention center will light the state’s largest snow village display.
The Allen County Courthouse will host Cocoa and Carols from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Snider High School Madrigal Singers will provide music in the Courthouse rotunda. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided.
