Chautauqua-Wawasee Announces 2022 Programs

January 12, 2022 at 5:36 p.m.

By Staff Report-

SYRACUSE – Chautauqua-Wawasee has published their program schedule for the 2022 season. 

“We are adding some new programs, updating others and continuing to offer our most popular programs,” announced Mark Knecht, the president of the organization.

In addition to specific programs, free weekly Tai Chi/Qigong classes are now available via Zoom during winter, but will change to be in-person outdoors this summer.

The 2022 season starts with the return of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, who will perform at Wawasee High School on April 22.

“This popular event had to be canceled in 2020 and 2021, so we anticipate a sell-out performance,” Knecht said.

The Wawasee Oakwood Fine Art Festival is experiencing growth in this year with the addition of more artists as well as a special musical addition, according to a provided news release. A new event for 2022 is a community-wide ice cream social to be held July 9 at Syracuse Lakeside Park. There will be music, games, snack food and ice cream.

If your family likes fun and laughter, mark Aug. 6 on the calendar for the second annual Family Fun Film Festival. The festival consists of cell phone videos that are uploaded to Chautauqua-Wawasee’s website throughout the summer; these are edited and organized into a complete show on the big screen at the Pickwick Theater.  Like 2021, anything that will bring a laugh, smile or joy should be submitted.

There will be awards for Best Pet Video, Best Tubing/Skiing Video, Best Kid Video and other categories.

The spring and fall Historical Wawasee cruises done jointly with the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum are continuing. 

The three-day Native American History Series, also done with the museum, is expanding the Sept. 3 program with the addition of a new activity titled “Bring Your Own Artifact – we’ll tell you what it is.”

Speaking of history, on June 26, prior to the Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s annual Patriotic Pops Concert at Oakwood Resort, plan to attend an “Encounter with Thomas Jefferson” at 4:30 p.m. at Wawasee High School auditorium, presented by J.D. Sutton, a world-renowned Jefferson re-enactor. 

Then Sept. 28 will feature author and peacemaker Cliff Kindy, who will conduct a workshop titled “What if Christians were as passionate about peacemaking as warfighters are about warfighting. Kindy has some amazing experiences he will share, the news release states.

Finally, the hugely popular Old Fashioned Christmas program is set for Nov. 26 to kick-off the Christmas season, promising to be bigger and better than ever. Nearly 1,000 people attended in 2021.

For those who would like a more detailed schedule, one may requested from the organization by calling 574-377-7543 or emailing [email protected]

Also, you can stay in touch with Chautauqua via their website (www.chqw.org) or Facebook. The majority (but not all) of Chautauqua events are free to attend. 

As a nonprofit organization, Chautauqua-Wawasee operates because of the generosity of grants provided by the Brembeck Foundation, Harkless Foundation, Kosciusko Community Foundation and donations from individuals, the release states.

SYRACUSE – Chautauqua-Wawasee has published their program schedule for the 2022 season. 

“We are adding some new programs, updating others and continuing to offer our most popular programs,” announced Mark Knecht, the president of the organization.

In addition to specific programs, free weekly Tai Chi/Qigong classes are now available via Zoom during winter, but will change to be in-person outdoors this summer.

The 2022 season starts with the return of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, who will perform at Wawasee High School on April 22.

“This popular event had to be canceled in 2020 and 2021, so we anticipate a sell-out performance,” Knecht said.

The Wawasee Oakwood Fine Art Festival is experiencing growth in this year with the addition of more artists as well as a special musical addition, according to a provided news release. A new event for 2022 is a community-wide ice cream social to be held July 9 at Syracuse Lakeside Park. There will be music, games, snack food and ice cream.

If your family likes fun and laughter, mark Aug. 6 on the calendar for the second annual Family Fun Film Festival. The festival consists of cell phone videos that are uploaded to Chautauqua-Wawasee’s website throughout the summer; these are edited and organized into a complete show on the big screen at the Pickwick Theater.  Like 2021, anything that will bring a laugh, smile or joy should be submitted.

There will be awards for Best Pet Video, Best Tubing/Skiing Video, Best Kid Video and other categories.

The spring and fall Historical Wawasee cruises done jointly with the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum are continuing. 

The three-day Native American History Series, also done with the museum, is expanding the Sept. 3 program with the addition of a new activity titled “Bring Your Own Artifact – we’ll tell you what it is.”

Speaking of history, on June 26, prior to the Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s annual Patriotic Pops Concert at Oakwood Resort, plan to attend an “Encounter with Thomas Jefferson” at 4:30 p.m. at Wawasee High School auditorium, presented by J.D. Sutton, a world-renowned Jefferson re-enactor. 

Then Sept. 28 will feature author and peacemaker Cliff Kindy, who will conduct a workshop titled “What if Christians were as passionate about peacemaking as warfighters are about warfighting. Kindy has some amazing experiences he will share, the news release states.

Finally, the hugely popular Old Fashioned Christmas program is set for Nov. 26 to kick-off the Christmas season, promising to be bigger and better than ever. Nearly 1,000 people attended in 2021.

For those who would like a more detailed schedule, one may requested from the organization by calling 574-377-7543 or emailing [email protected]

Also, you can stay in touch with Chautauqua via their website (www.chqw.org) or Facebook. The majority (but not all) of Chautauqua events are free to attend. 

As a nonprofit organization, Chautauqua-Wawasee operates because of the generosity of grants provided by the Brembeck Foundation, Harkless Foundation, Kosciusko Community Foundation and donations from individuals, the release states.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

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