For the Chautauqua’s 2024 programs, annual programs are returning, plus five new programs focused on family fun and variety are being added.  
The intent is to balance programs across the four Chautauqua pillars (arts, education, faith and recreation), according to a news release from Chautauqua-Wawasee.
The season begins March 1 with the return of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. It will be the Glee Club’s only performance in this region in 2024 and will be at Wawasee High School.
Chautauqua’s 2024 program calendar brochure has a picture of a basketball. Why? Because May 7 marks the return of Shanna Zolman, a Syracuse, Wawasee High School and Indiana basketball legend, stated the release. Zolman’s career continued at Tennessee and then the WNBA. She will discuss her career and journey of faith. Another basketball program is planned for July as the first of an annual series that will featuret famous Hoosiers, starting with John Wooden who played at Purdue and coached at South Bend Central high school.
Also on the calendar is a dog parade called “Pawasee.” The theme and prizes will be announced in May. If you missed Ann Garceau’s Lake Wawasee historic tour aboard the S.S. Lillypad in 2023, mark your calendar for May 16. The Wawasee Fine Arts Festival returns for the 10th year at Oakwood on May 25. This year’s festival will add a Plein Air Paint Out, followed by another new program for artists, Introduction to Plein Air Workshop.
Memorial Day Sunday will provide the annual Taps Across the Water as tribute to veterans and those who’ve sacrificed their lives for America’s freedom. A jet flyover of Papakeechie, Wawasee and Syracuse lakes will precede the Taps tribute.
To celebrate Independence Day, re-enactor Barry Stevens will present Ask Ben Franklin: In his Own Words at Wawasee High School on June 30. Later the same day, the annual Fort Wayne Patriotic Pops concert performs on the lawn of the Oakwood Resort Inn.
Also in July is the second year of a multi-year program titled Walk Down Memory Lane. The goal of this program is to capture local Syracuse and Wawasee history from vintage home movies and oral histories.
Last year’s program about regional Miami Native Americans was so popular that requests for a follow-on program poured in. So, Dani Tippman will present more Stories of Myaamiaki People at the WACF Pavilion on September 7. Then, the following week will continue the popular Digging Through History 3-Day Series with a return of Trevor Tipton and Notre Dame Archaeology professor Dr. Mark Schurr.
The 2024 season ends with the annual community favorite Old Fashioned Christmas in Oakwood on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
The majority of Chautauqua programs are offered at no cost to attend. Learn more and stay in touch with Chautauqua at www.chqw.org or ChautauquaWawasee on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or sign up for the e-newsletter by sending a request to [email protected].