Pictured is a plein air artist at an event.

By Darla McCammon

Have you added any of our adventures to your family calendar yet? Here are a few more summer fairs and events, most including fine art and free admission, for you to enjoy. Remember, learning things can be a lot of fun and what is better than getting entertained and educated for free.

Following is a list of places you may want to consider visiting. Most are a short drive.

From June 3 to 28, Terry Pulley and Elizabeth Wamsley will have works on view at the Lakeland Art Gallery. The gallery, located at 302 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw, is open from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. It’s free admission but no food is allowed in the gallery.

The Warsaw City Hall Gallery will have works by Tana Bondar and Avon Waters on view from June 3 to Aug. 30. The gallery is located on the corner of Buffalo and Center Streets in Warsaw. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and has free admission but no food is allowed in the gallery.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 21, there will be an exciting live demo at Warsaw City Hall Gallery by Bondar and Waters. You will also have a chance to win a free, finished painting by one of these two excellent artists.

The Strawberry Fest and Craft Show in downtown Coldwater, Mich., will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 22. There will be live music, kids’ activities, arts and crafts, food and more.

Downtown Columbia City will host Old Settler’s Days from June 25 to 29. There will be a parade, carnival rides, arts and crafts, a talent competition, and food booths.

Valparaiso will hold its art festival on June 29 to 30. It will take place downtown, adjacent to the new central park plaza. Juried artists at the festival means there will be high-quality art pieces available form 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. There will also be kids’ activities, a charming café and restaurants, and live entertainment.

From July 12 through Aug. 19, you can drive down and visit quaint shops and great restaurants in Wabash, then go to the Clark Gallery in the Honeywell Center to view the themed art competition. Stiff competition from all over the state will be on view.

The 24th annual North Webster Mermaid Festival will take place from July 19 to 22. There will be food vendors, a parade, pageants, entertainment and amusement park type rides.

The Gallery at Rua in Warsaw will have artwork from Warsaw High School students and Christi Ziebarth on display from July 1 through 21.

The Artisans and Farmers’ Market in Syracuse will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 22 and 29, located at 301 N. Huntington St.

The Whitley County Farmers’ Market will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. July 26 at Parkview Whitley County Hospital, located at 1260 E. IN 205, Columbia City.

If you would care to evaluate any event you attend and send us a note about it, we can provide this public service again next year with comments and appraisals from those of you who visit these various events. Please send your comments to [email protected].

Next week, join us to learn more about Sayaka Ganz, an artist becoming famous for her work utilizing reclaimed metal and plastic objects.