Recreation Archives - Chautauqua Wawasee

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our 2024 Chautauqua Wawasee Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration Sponsors

As the 2024 Chautauqua Wawasee Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration draws near, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to the incredible sponsors who make this cherished community event possible. Their support helps bring the magic of the holiday season to life in our beautiful lakeside town, and we are so grateful for their generosity.

A big thank you to:

Bass Audiology
Beyond Landscaping, Inc.
Crossroads Bank
Dockside Gifts & Apparel
Harkless Foundation
Jasper Plastics
Jeff & Carrie Herdrich
Kiwanis Club of Wawasee
Kiyomi Japanese restaurant
Lakeland Youth Center
Leading Edge Countertops
Main Channel Marina
Myra & Howard Brembeck Foundation
Oakwood Resort
Pat’s Chicago Dogs
Sands Accounting Inc.
Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce
Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum
Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware
The Papers, Inc.
Town of Syracuse (Parks Dept)
Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation
Wawasee Boat Company
Woman of Today
WPOA

Your support, whether through financial contributions, resources, or volunteer efforts, helps create a warm and festive atmosphere that brings our community together. Thanks to your involvement, the Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration will continue to be a beloved tradition for years to come—one that families and friends of all ages can enjoy.

As we prepare for the season’s festivities, we are reminded of the power of community. You are all essential in making this event a success, and we truly couldn’t do it without you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us celebrate this magical time of year!

Wishing you all a joyful and blessed holiday season. We look forward to celebrating with you at the 2024 Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration! 🎄✨

With gratitude,
The Chautauqua Wawasee Team

by CHTQAAdmin

Events, Faith, Recreation

Experience the Magic of the Old-Fashioned Christmas!

Experience the Magic of the Old Fashioned Christmas!

Are you looking for a unique, fun-filled family activity to kick off the holiday season? Look no further than Chautauqua Wawasee’s Old-Fashioned Christmas! This beloved annual event in Syracuse is back and bigger than ever in 2024, offering even more family-friendly activities.

Highlights of the Celebration

Meet Santa and His Reindeer: Kids can enjoy a special moment with Santa and even pet his live reindeer!
Live Nativity: Experience the true meaning of Christmas with our live nativity scene.
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides: Take a cozy ride through the festive grounds.
Enjoy a special reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”: by one of Santa’s very own Elves!
Big Tree Lighting: Witness the magical lighting of our 50-foot Christmas tree, a highlight of the evening.
Reading of the Christmas Story: Join us at the historic Oakwood Chapel for a heartfelt reading of the Christmas story from the Bible, keeping Christ in Christmas.
Christmas Photo Booth: Capture the perfect family moment with our festive photo booth, complete with props and your phone’s camera.
Holiday Characters: Keep an eye out for Frosty, the Grinch, Rudolph, Buddy the Elf, the Toy Soldier, and the Gingerbread Man, who will be roaming the park for fun and photo opportunities.
Fun Holiday Games for Kids: Keep the kiddos entertained with fun games!

Event Details

When: November 30, 5:30 – 8:00 PM (Music starts at 5:30 PM- Activities start at 6 PM)
Where: Oakwood Resort,(outdoor event, so dress for the weather)-702 E. Lake View Road, Syracuse, IN
Cost: Free and open to the public!

Join us for an evening filled with joy, laughter, and holiday spirit! For updates and more details, check our Facebook page HERE. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Note: We hope for a bit of snow to enhance the festive atmosphere, but in case of severe weather, please check our Facebook page for updates.

Chautauqua Wawasee Old Fashioned Christmas

by CHTQAAdmin

Events, Recreation

Ball State Singers Return to Syracuse in 2025 – Don’t Miss This Unforgettable Performance!

The Ball State Singers are back in Syracuse, Indiana, for a highly anticipated performance on Sunday, February 16th, 2025, at 3:30 PM. Presented by Chautauqua-Wawasee, this exciting event will be held at the Wawasee High School Auditorium.

This talented musical ensemble offers a diverse and dynamic repertoire, including gospel, vocal jazz, swing, contemporary hits, romantic ballads, classical choral selections, barbershop, folk, patriotic standards, opera choruses, country, and novelty tunes. With a blend of small group performances, incredible soloists, and lively choreography, the Ball State Singers will deliver a 90-minute musical experience that you won’t forget.

Celebrate the return of Wawasee High School alum, Devin Van Lue, as part of this one-of-a-kind performance!

Devin Van Lue-Ball State University Singers

Event Details:

Date: Sunday, February 16th, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM (Doors open at 3:00 PM)
Location: Wawasee High School Auditorium, Syracuse, IN

Ticket Prices:

VIP Tickets: $20
General Admission: $10

The Ball State Singers are Indiana’s official goodwill ambassadors and have been recognized since 1964 as one of America’s top collegiate entertainment groups. Whether you’re a fan of jazz, classical, pop, or patriotic music, this performance offers something for everyone. Don’t miss this special opportunity to see one of the nation’s most acclaimed university ensembles right here in Syracuse.

Plan Your Visit:

Arrive early to explore local dining options before the show or enjoy a bite to eat afterward. Check out our calendar for more exciting Chautauqua Wawasee events – 2025 promises to be our best year yet!

Get Your Tickets Now!

Click HERE to purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

Make plans to join us for an afternoon of incredible music and entertainment with the Ball State Singers at Wawasee High School!

by CHTQAAdmin

Events, Recreation

2024 “Lake Wawasee, Then & Now” Cruise

Chautauqua-Wawasee is repeating last year’s successful “Lake Wawasee, Then & Now” cruise, narrated by local historian Ann Garceau of the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum.

As Ann shares interesting stories about historic structures that stood around the lake, you will be able to better visualize them with the aid of a provided pamphlet, Then and Now, picturing what you are hearing about while enjoying what is built there now. Among the places that Ann highlights will be the numerous hotels, marinas, entertainment venues, neighborhoods, and historic homes.

This event will sell out so buy your tickets early by clicking HERE!

WHEN: Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 1-3 p.m.

WHERE: The Frog Tavern-1116 South Harkless Drive Syracuse, IN 46567

Boarding begins at 12:45 at The Frog Tavern.

by CHTQAAdmin

Education, Events, Recreation

Ask Ben Franklin: In His Own Words

As part of Chautauqua’s annual Patriotic Speaker Series, the 2024 program will feature American patriot Ben Franklin. The performance will feature professional actor Barry Stevens as Ben Franklin. Meet and discuss events with this man, the most famous man in America at the time he lived. Franklin has a long list of accomplishments: printer, inventor (the Franklin stove, of course, the armonica, the lightning rod and an odometer, to name a few), scientist, politician, musician, postmaster, satirist and founder of the University of Pennsylvania and the first fire department in the colonies. In fact, Stevens says, Franklin is considered the “patron saint” of fire departments. As he traveled to locations throughout the Colonies, he was known as Dr. Franklin, and even traveled to Paris, France.

Barry Stevens has been presenting Benjamin Franklin while participating as a member of a company of Revolutionary War re-enactors since 2005. The performer has requested attendees to come with questions to “Ask Ben” which allows him to share historical information and anecdotes.

The performance is on June 30 from 4:30-5:30 at the Wawasee High School auditorium, in Syracuse Indiana. The program is free to attend.
Also in Syracuse, at 7:30, the annual Patriotic Pops concert by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra is performed on the lawn at Oakwood Resort.

Stop by the Chautauqua tent for a free flag and glow light. Attendance is free for this family-friendly event.
Visit us on Facebook, or give us a call at 574-377-7543 for more information.

by CHTQAAdmin

Events, Recreation

Pawasee Dog Parade. June 22 at Oakwood Resort.

Pawasee Dog Parade. June 22 at Oakwood Resort

Come paw-ty at the fur-st Pawasee Dog Parade hosted by Chautauqua Wawasee on Saturday, June 22. The parade will follow a one-quarter-mile route within the grounds of Oakwood Resort. This family event is really about showing off your best friend in our dog-loving community.

Participants are encouraged to decorate carts, wagons, strollers, and leashes, as well as dress up with their dogs. Awards will be presented to the best-dressed dog, best dog trick, best tail wag, and other categories…

Fur-real. Special O.P.S. K-9 Academy will provide an obedience demonstration along with a few tricks. They will also show off some special dog grooming ideas and hand out dog froyos (frozen yogurt formulated for dogs).

You can learn more about Syracuse’s own New Hope Pet Rescue and its efforts to rescue dogs and cats and place them with loving families. They will also be available to discuss how you can adopt a pet.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trails will provide information about our community’s dog-friendly trail system. They will also have a dog kissing booth and a local dog biscuit maker on hand.

Oakwood Resort will partner with Tito’s Vodka, the dog lover’s vodka, to sponsor a pop-up bar and will match their proceeds to support New Hope Pet Rescue. They will also provide dog tag engraving and other goodies.

Lakeland Animal Clinic will also be on hand to scan your dog’s microchip implant.

This event is free, but participants are encouraged to make a $15 donation. All of the money raised will go to New Hope Pet Rescue.

When: Saturday, June 22, 11:30 – 1 pm
Where: Oakwood Resort, Syracuse, Indiana
Tickets: Free…please register at the event.

by CHTQAAdmin

Events, Recreation

2024 Lake Wawasee “Points of Interest” Historical Cruise

Chautauqua-Wawasee and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum will once again enjoy local historian Ann Garceau as she narrates a cruise of Lake Wawasee highlighting “Points of Interest” aboard the SS Lillypad II.

This event is always popular so get your tickets early.

Ann will share her knowledge about historic hotels, events, property owners, restaurants, entertainment venues, boat taxis, marinas, other points of interest, and little-known facts as the SS Lillypad proceeds around the shoreline of the lake. Snack food will be provided along with a cash bar.

Boarding begins at 12:45 at The Frog Tavern.
What: 2-hour Lake Wawasee Cruise
When: Thursday, May 16, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Where: The Frog Tavern, Syracuse, Indiana
THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT. Please join us on our fall cruise!

Don’t forget to check out our calendar and visit us on Facebook for details on all of the great events that Chautauqua Wawasee has to offer!

by CHTQAAdmin

2023

Faith, Recreation

Chautauqua Wawasee Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration-2023

You are invited to Chautauqua Wawasee’s annual Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration!

This family-friendly occasion is perfect for people of all ages, including moms, dads, grandpas, grandmas, and kids. Come and see your favorite holiday characters such as Santa, the Grinch, Frosty, and more. Join us in the chapel for a reading of the Christmas story, and don’t forget to visit our live reindeer and take a family photo at our photo booth. The event will also feature caroling, musical groups, and many other activities.

The event will take place on November 25th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at Oakwood Resort in Syracuse, Indiana. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6:15 p.m., so make sure to arrive early to take part in this magical moment. The best part? This event is completely FREE!

Please note that this is an outdoor event, so make sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Stay in touch with us at www.chqw.org or visit our Facebook page. You are also welcome to give us a call at 574-377-7543 if you have any questions.

The event is jointly sponsored by the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation and the Town of Syracuse Parks Department.

WHEN: November 25th, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Tree lighting at 6:15 p.m.)

WHERE: Oakwood Resort Lawn- 702 E. Lake View Road, Syracuse Indiana

COST: FREE!

by CHTQAAdmin

Events, Recreation

Lake Wawasee “Then and Now” Historical Cruise

Chautauqua-Wawasee is repeating last year’s successful “Lake Wawasee, Then & Now” presentation by local historian Ann Garceau of the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum.

As Ann shares interesting stories about historic structures that stood around the lake, you will be able to better visualize them with the aid of a provided pamphlet, Then and Now, picturing what you are hearing about while enjoying what is built there now. Among the places that Ann highlights will be the numerous hotels, marinas, entertainment venues, neighborhoods, and historic homes. This event will sell out so buy your tickets early.

Purchase your tickets HERE.

Date and time: Thursday, September 26 · 1 – 3pm (Boarding starts at 12:45.)

Where: The Frog Tavern 1116 South Harkless Drive Syracuse, IN 46567

by CHTQAAdmin