Good morning, Fort Wayne.

On Friday, Clothes For Joes announced a $250,000 capital campaign to fund a new Veterans Service Center in downtown Fort Wayne, a year-round hub designed to expand services for veterans and their spouses in Allen County.

Big Apple Pizza will open a second shop on Fort Wayne’s north side at the corner of Coldwater and Union Chapel roads in the former Tim Horton’s building while keeping its downtown store open; the new location is expected within a few weeks ahead of the July 1 deadline.

Fort Wayne Zoo is preparing for its Wild Zoo Spring Preview, an event that will let visitors get a first look at new exhibits and experiences planned for this spring.

Officials said details on timing and activities will be announced soon.

The Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department reopened its reimagined Desert House at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory on Thursday, unveiling new soil improvements, wider pathways, retaining walls, and informative displays that highlight desert plant life from North America & beyond. Local officials and community supporters joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the transformation.

The Fort Wayne Rod & Custom Show returned Friday, giving local car enthusiasts a chance to see custom and classic vehicles.

Organizers reported strong turnout at the event.

Fort Wayne’s Summit City Entrepreneur and Enterprise District has helped local businesses thrive by investing over $65 million and creating 300+ jobs in the last five years.

The district offers training, networking, grants, and tax incentives to support growth across an area of seven square miles.

New U.S. Census data shows that Allen County grew over 4% in the past five years, reaching 402,329 by July 2025 & adding 16,912 residents while recording more births than deaths.

This growth ranks the county among the state’s fastest growing areas.

Three hundred Indiana National Guard members are returning home today after completing a four-month mission in Washington D.C. to reduce crime and boost public safety, using specialized training in de-escalation and crowd management + saving lives in emergencies.

Parkview senior research scientist Brandon McDaniel said AI companion apps have grown 700% in three years and may lead teens to form unhealthy attachments (a worry for real bonds), so parents are urged to discuss the apps with their kids.

More than 4,000 athletes and fans are in Fort Wayne as the 78th Annual Lutheran Basketball Association National Tournament and USA Gymnastics Men’s Region 5 Championships take place from March 26 to 29 at the Plassman Athletic Center at Turnstone and the Grand Wayne Convention Center.

As the 2026 season began, 33 former TinCaps players appeared on MLB Opening Day rosters across 15 teams including 7 with the local Padres, and 235 alumni have reached the majors since the franchise started in 1993 (reflecting strong local baseball development).

Iowa Heartlanders at Fort Wayne Komets

7:30-8:35 p.m. — Allen County War Memorial Coliseum — Kids seat free with adult ticket — Enjoy a thrilling hockey match featuring the Heartlanders and Komets.

Komets Superhero Night

7:30-10:35 p.m. — Allen County War Memorial Coliseum — Free capes for kids — Celebrate Superhero Night with meet and greets, mental health awareness, and fun contests.

Musical Mornings with Freimann Quartet

10 a.m. — Crescendo Coffee And More — Free entry — Experience a delightful morning of live music with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic at your local coffee shop.

Lansing Lugnuts at Fort Wayne Tincaps

6:59-8:05 p.m. — Parkview Field — Tickets required — Experience exciting family-friendly baseball action with the Fort Wayne TinCaps taking on the Lansing Lugnuts.

North American Brass Band Championships

8 AM – 12 PM — Embassy Theatre — Check event page for pricing — Experience the thunderous power and shimmering precision of the ultimate showdown of musical mastery.

Fort Wayne Tincaps vs. Lansing Lugnuts

1:05 – 2:05 PM — Parkview Field — Family-friendly fun — Enjoy a thrilling baseball game at the award-winning Parkview Field in Fort Wayne.

Fort Wayne Komets vs. Toledo Walleye

5-8:05 p.m. — Allen County War Memorial Coliseum — $60 for 4 tickets — Experience a thrilling hockey game with family activities and post-game skate on the ice.

Fort Wayne Komets vs. Toledo Walleye

7:30 p.m. — Allen County War Memorial Coliseum — Ticket availability varies — Come watch an exciting rematch between the Komets and Walleye in this rescheduled game.

Gary Owen: No Hard Feelings Tour

8-11 PM — Embassy Theatre — Tickets from $49 — Enjoy a night of laughter with comedian Gary Owen as part of his tour.

Forever K-Pop Concert

7-9 p.m. — Embassy Theatre — Ticket prices vary — A spectacular K-Pop celebration featuring electrifying performances of hits from BTS, BlackPink, and more.