On Saturday Dec.11 I made a return trip to Fort Wayne with my friend to visit his family before I left Indiana for the holiday break. Usually when I visit my friend’s family We all go out to eat or we go to a movie or we just chill at their house and watch football. But this time they already had a family outing planned so I got to tag along.
We all went to the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum and attended the annual Christ Child Festival that it is held there. The as no admission charge for the festival, but it was $4 for parking. The festival featured a number of Christian/Christmas themed events, displays, and activities. There was even a live Nativity with real animals, it had little areas for kids to go and make crafts, free refreshments, 60 religious art booths, music, and more. This festival is one of Fort Wayne’s oldest festivals and it is celebrating its 59th year.
Although it isn’t really geared toward adults or college age student like me, it was still fun to go to and watch the younger kids enjoy it and the food was free. They had Edy’s Ice Cream and coffee from Higher Grounds, one of the best coffee shops in Indiana, and treats from the Purdue Homemakers Club. The 2010 event also featured – along with its live nativity scene – a tree honoring local service persons. The people in attendance were asked to take an ornament off the tree which contains the names and contact information for active service-men and -women. We were asked to send messages, gifts, magazines, encouragement, etc., to the military man or woman listed on the ornament to show appreciation for their service to our country.
Not to get to sappy but this tree was one of the more touching and important things at the festival because it encouraged both parents and children to show appreciation for the tough job those in the military have. Next year, my final year at Butler, I plan on trying to get my Aunt in Ohio to bring my little cousins to this event, because I think they would really enjoy it as would any kid.
The 2010 Christ Child Festival was on December 10-12 and will be hosted again in 2011.
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