Fort Wayne offers some great family spots (Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, the TinCaps, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory) that offer a great time without breaking the bank.

But there’s nothing quite like finding something great to do for free. And the city has an abundance of free things.

With gas prices still high and the economy not so good, a vacation may not be in the cards for many people this summer. So why not vacation in your hometown? Here are some free offerings that will surely help out the budget.

Concerts

Foellinger Theater, Franke Park; 427-6000:

Planet Search (a musical talent competition): 8 a.m. Saturday

Fort Wayne Area Community Band: 8 p.m. June 12

Air Force National Guard Band of the Great Lakes: 8 p.m. June 26

Fort Wayne Area Community Band: 8 p.m. July 10

Knights on the Town/Alley Kats: 8 p.m. July 19

Chadd Michaels and the Brat Pack: 8 p.m. Aug. 9

Fort Wayne Children’s Choir: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10

Fort Wayne Community Band: 8 p.m. Aug. 14

Summit City Chorus: 8 p.m. Aug. 30

DeKalb Outdoor Theatre, 301 Center St., Auburn; www.dekalboutdoortheater.org:

Big Daddy Caddy: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Summit City Chorus: 7:30 p.m. June 8

Northeast Indiana Musicians Expo: 1 p.m. June 9

Auburn Community Band 30th Anniversary Concert: 2 p.m. June 10

Old Crown Brass Band: 7:30 p.m. June 15

Fort Wayne Philharmonic presents Patriotic Pops: 7:30 p.m. June 29

Supercharged: 7:30 p.m. July 6

Auburn Community Band: 2 p.m. July 8

Little Big Band: 7:30 p.m. July 13

Navy Band Great Lakes: 7:30 p.m. July 14

Spike and the Bulldogs: 7:30 p.m. July 20

Golden Memories: 6 p.m. July 21

Mason Dixie: 7:30 p.m. July 27

Joey O’s Guitar Festival: 5 p.m. Aug. 4

Choice Band: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10

Community Band Extravaganza: 2:30 p.m. Aug. 12

Concert Under the Stars with the Randy Kimball Blues Band and The Breakfast Club: 5 p.m. Aug. 17

Other shows:

Fort Wayne Philharmonic presents Patriotic Pops: 7:30 p.m. June 27; Potawatomi Inn, Pokagon State Park, Angola; 481-0777.

Fort Wayne Philharmonic presents Patriotic Pops: 7:30 p.m. June 28; Oubauche State Park, Bluffton; 481-0777.

Rock the Plaza: Concerts at the Allen County Public Library start June 2. The shows are held every Saturday at 6 p.m. You can go to www.acpl.lib.in.us and click “Events” for a complete schedule of the bands that will perform.

Movies

Catch a free movie at Foellinger Theatre in Franke Park. Each movie begins at 8:30 p.m.

“Cars 2”: June 20

“Kung Fu Panda 2”: June 27

“Puss in Boots”: July 15

“The Adventures of Tin Tin”: July 11

“Happy Feet Two”: July 18

“Hugo”: July 25

“The Muppets”: Aug. 1

“Hop”: Aug. 8

“Zookeeper”: Aug. 15

“Spy Kids: All the Time In the World”: Aug. 24

Allen County Public Library presents movies in its theater the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Seating is first come, first serve. Go to www.acpl.lib.in.us (click “other events”) for additional movie titles:

“Big Miracle”: June 26

Other movie dates: July 24, Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 23, Nov. 27 and Dec. 18

Biking

With more than 65 miles of trails winding through the city, what better way to enjoy time outdoors than a bike ride? There are several trail-riding events scheduled this summer. Rides begin at 6 p.m., and helmets are required. For June and August riding events, call 427-6228 or visit the “Summer Fun Times” at www.fortwayneparks.org.

May 29: Rivergreenway: St. Marys, eight miles. Meet at the Foster Park trail head parking lot near Pavilion No. 1.

Make a splash

Splash pads open Memorial Day weekend. The great thing about the splash pads, besides the fact they are free, is they are at area parks, so bring a picnic and make a day of it. They are at:

•Buckner Park, 6114 Bass Road

•McCormick Park, 2300 Raymond and Holly streets

•Memorial Park, 2301 Maumee Ave. and Glasgow Street

•Robert E. Meyers Park, Parkview Field

•Shoaff Park, 6401 St. Joe Road

•Waynedale Park, 2900 Koons and Elzey streets

•Kreager Park, North River Road

Museums

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art offers free admission to visitors every Thursday and Sunday. Located at 311 Main St., the hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

trich@jg.net