What’s Happening at the Botanical Conservatory in October
Fort Wayne, Ind. –The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory at 1100 South Calhoun Street presents the following events and programs this month.
Featuring:
Botanical Brew
Friday, October 4, 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Join your friends downtown at the Botanical Conservatory to celebrate all things brewed! During Botanical Brew, partake from a variety of local and regional brews…coffee, tea, beer, wine, cider and mead. Stay awhile, relax, enjoy performers, local food, regional artisans and the Raise a Glass! showcase exhibit. Both drinks by the glass and packaged beverage are available for purchase. Admission is $10 per person. Sponsored by: WANE 15 and WBOI 98.1.
Pumpkin Path Display
October 1-27, public hours
A local favorite, this scenic outdoor display returns to the Botanical Conservatory. Enjoy the spirit of the season while taking part in an autumn activity and posing for festive photo ops adorned with fall foliage and naturally harvested decor. Share @BConservatoryFW as a new favorite memory as part of your visit! Included with regular Conservatory admission. Sponsored by Majic 95.1 WAJI.
Garden Trick-or-Treat
Saturday, October 26, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Just in time for Halloween, round up the kiddos for family-friendly festivities at the Botanical Conservatory! Snap boo-tiful photos when showing off your favorite costume and visiting friendly stops with tricks and treats along the way. Also take in the crisp air and vibrant fall colors as you stroll along this year’s Pumpkin Path Display. Regular admission fees apply. Sponsored by Magic 95.1 WAJI and Fox 55.
Rocky Horror Picture Show, Costume Contest and Fright Night Market
Saturday, October 19, Doors open at 7:00 p.m., Costume Contest at 8:00 p.m., Movie begins at 9:15 p.m.
Join the Botanical Conservatory in its 16th season screening of the time warp! New in 2024, a Fright Night Market will start off the evening activities. Also a costume contest with categories for Rocky Horror Character, Halloween costume and Zombie will offer fun for all. Weather permitting, this cult classic movie is enjoyed outdoors in the Terrace Garden in conjunction with the Downtown Improvement District’s Fright Night. Lawn chairs are welcome and encouraged. Food and beverage will be available for purchase from Shigs in Pit & Mad Anthony Catering; no outside food or beverage will be permitted. Please no rice or confetti during this participatory movie event. The movie is rated R with content not suitable for younger audiences. Attendees 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Sponsored by: ALT 99.5 FM & 102.3 FM and Shigs in Pit & Mad Anthony Catering. Admission: $10 per person.
Raise a Glass! Exhibit
Until November 17, public hours
We’re celebrating 40 years at the Botanical Conservatory. Since 1983, this unique botanical venue has served as a cultural anchor in Fort Wayne, having welcomed nearly three million visitors from near and far! During its 40th anniversary, the Botanical Conservatory is capturing vivid streams of light and reflecting into glimmers of a vibrant future. Raise your glass to the continued health, happiness and success of this community treasure. Sponsored by: Fort Wayne Park Foundation, English Bonter Mitchell Foundation, Majic 95.1, WANE 15 and Sycamore Tree Care.
Also Happening:
Raise a Glass! $1 Nights
Thursdays until November 14, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Here’s a toast celebrating not only 40 years as a unique botanical venue for public education and enjoyment, but 200 years since Allen County was officially born. During the Raise a Glass! Garden Exhibit, take advantage of $1 admission every Thursday evening from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Cheers to the Botanical Conservatory as a community treasure serving over 3,000,000 tourists and residents since opening its doors in 1983…and here’s to Allen County steadfast since 1824 with 400,000+ residents thriving and residing today. Together, the Botanical Conservatory and Bicentennial Executive Board wish to celebrate the past, present and future with you!
From Concept to Celebration
Until November 16, public hours
Foellinger Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
This visual timeline displays the history of the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory from an original idea to our current-day fortieth anniversary! Images, news articles and short stories provide historical context during the celebratory Raise a Glass! Garden Exhibit. Enjoy this unique display as a collaboration of archives from both the Foellinger Foundation and the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory.
