Celebrating the Final First Fridays of 2024 with Oktoberfest
As the cool breeze of October rolled in, we wrapped up another incredible season of Columbia City Connect’s First Fridays events with a grand finale—our Oktoberfest celebration! This year, the community once again came together to support our local businesses, vendors, and entertainment, creating unforgettable memories in downtown Columbia City.
Our musical headliner for the evening, Shiny Shiny Black, brought their unique indie folk alternative sound to the stage. With infectious grooves, irresistible hooks, and a bold sense of joy, this band captivated the crowd from start to finish. Whether you brought chairs and blankets or danced in the street, Shiny Shiny Black’s performance was a true highlight of the night.
Of course, no Oktoberfest would be complete without an incredible lineup of local breweries and distilleries. This year’s event area featured Edwin Coe, Ambrosia Orchard, Chapman’s Brewing Company, E Brewing Company, Hop River Brewing Company, Vinland Reserve Winery, Indiana Whiskey Co, and Copper Forge Distilling. With something for every taste, attendees enjoyed sampling a wide variety of local beverages that truly showcased the best of our region’s craft industry.
As always, downtown Columbia City’s food scene did not disappoint. From local favorites like Pickles Café, Tokyo Steakhouse, The Square, Señor Fajitas, Moo-Over and The Kitchen & Company, to mouthwatering food trucks like Another One Bites the Crust, Who Cut the Cheese?, Fried and Frozen, and Smokin J’s, the choices were endless. Whether you were craving something savory, sweet, or a little bit of both, there was something to satisfy every appetite.
Shopping was another major draw at our final Columbia City Connect’s First Fridays of the year. With over 100 vendors offering everything from clothing boutiques to handmade arts and crafts, it was the perfect opportunity to support local businesses and stock up on unique finds. Downtown shops like Vintage Blessed General Store, Sage + Stone, and The Mercantile opened their doors to welcome the steady flow of visitors, making it a night to remember for shop owners and patrons alike.
Despite the season coming to an end, the enthusiasm and support from our community were stronger than ever. We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this year’s First Fridays a success—our amazing vendors, downtown businesses, volunteers, entertainers, and, of course, our generous sponsors. Without you, these events wouldn’t be possible.
Special thanks to our sponsors: Morsches Builders Mart, Impact CNC, Olivia Hinen State Farm, RE/MAX Integrity, Smiles on Main Dentistry,Morsches Builders Mart, Impact CNC, Brightpoint, Running Around Screen Printing, Steel Dynamics, Scientific & Regulatory Consultants, ChromaSource, More Farm Store, Nipsco, 80.20 Inc, Smiles on Main Dentistry, ProFed, Bloom Gates Shipman & Whiteleather, Sailrite, 46 Graphics, Rosencrans Truck Repair, Smith & Sons Funeral Homes, National Oil & Gas, Next Generation Studio of Dance, Wearly Monuments, Micropulse, Fort Wayne Metals, The Mercantile, FlowTech
As we look ahead to 2025, we’re already planning new ways to make next year’s events even bigger and better. But until then, we’ll cherish the memories made, the friendships formed, and the undeniable sense of community that these events fostered.
Thank you, Columbia City, for another fantastic year. We can’t wait to see you at First Fridays in 2025!
Stay connected for more updates, and don’t forget to support your local businesses throughout the rest of the year. See you next season!
