A German polka band and art displays are some of the activities being planned for First Friday this Friday in downtown Warsaw.
The event, from 5 to 8 p.m., is being sponsored by Lake City Bank, and features food from downtown merchants and discounted sales.
First Friday celebrates downtown by offering a place to meet friends, enjoy family time and preserve the community in downtown Warsaw, according to event organizer Keith Reinholt.
The theme for the First Friday this Friday is "Artoberfest." The event will feature art exhibits, sales and demonstrations around the courthouse.
Several Warsaw Community Schools are participating in the event as well as several artists from Kosciusko County, Fort Wayne and Goshen.
Children will have the opportunity to participate in several free art projects including potter's wheel demonstrations, carving alabaster sculptures, duct tape clothing design and water color and acrylic painting techniques demonstrations.
There also will be a classic car cruise-in where people are invited to bring their classic car to the downtown.
Die Freudemacher, a German polka band, will perform from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. outside the courthouse. Polka dancing and lessons will be provided.
There will be live music by Warsaw musician Kevin Sauers. Deb Collier and Giverny Fitness dance teams will perform, and Warsaw Community High School's pep band will perform at the courthouse. People are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs.
An art exhibit by area artist Marilyn Copeland will be at Warsaw Community Public Library from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Master Gardeners will demonstrate how to plant daffodil bulbs in the courthouse garden on the south side of the courthouse steps.
Caudill's ATA Black Belt Academy will demonstrate.
The Downtown Eatery and Spirits, 205 W. Center St., Warsaw, will host a two-day Oktoberfest in collaboration with First Friday.There will be an outdoor tent where all ages can sample food specials like bratwurst, sausages and sauerkraut. For adults, there will be beer specials.
On Friday things kick off at 3 p.m. and go to 10 p.m.; and on Saturday things get going at noon and go until 10 p.m. for Oktoberfest.
