Wellen Park Offers a Jam-packed Calendar of Free Public Events This Fall

October 30, 2024 | Venice

From live music every day to markets and more, Downtown Wellen offers plenty of reasons to fall in love with fall this season. The destination’s free daily, weekly and monthly recurring events include farmers and night markets, live musical entertainment, weekly fitness classes, and walking, cycling and running groups – all set in the great outdoors. The Thanks4Giving Tree also returns for a second year.

            “Downtown visitors will discover a variety of vibrant events to pique their interests this fall,” said Christine Masney, vice president of marketing for Wellen Park. “Our full calendar focuses on a variety of social opportunities to experience Wellen Park’s incredible sense of community and beautiful surroundings. Guests will also enjoy downtown’s complement of restaurants, shops and gorgeous sunsets over the Grand Lake, as well as our special experiences like Wander at Wellen and projection art displays.”

Downtown Wellen is the region’s popular social and gathering spot offering dining, entertainment, retail, beauty services, medical and professional offices, and outdoor recreation.

A complete list of events is available at wellenpark.com/events or by downloading the Wellen Park app from the Apple store.

Music is in the air

Downtown Wellen’s rotating lineup of regional and local entertainers perform nightly under the Heritage Tree or on the Solis Hall outdoor stage. Showcasing an array of musical genres, the Daily Live Music Series features performances Monday through Saturday, from 6 to 10 p.m., and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit wellenpark.com/events/daily-live-music-series for more information and a complete calendar of musicians.

Friday Night Live, also from 6 to 10 p.m., is offered weekly on the Solis Hall stage. No Filter, a dynamic dance band, performs hits from the 1970s to today the first Friday of every month. For additional information, visit wellenpark.com/events/friday-concert-series.

Talented pianists tickle the ivories during dueling pianos, offered the third Thursday of each month from 6 to 10 p.m. at Solis Hall. Visit wellenpark.com/events/dueling-pianos for more information.

            Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for seating on the Great Lawn and around the Heritage Tree. To-go alcoholic beverages are available at downtown restaurants and their mobile bars.

To market, to market

Shop farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, plus plants, seafood, cut flowers and more at the Fresh Harvest Farmers Market every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Wellen Park Boulevard in Downtown Wellen. The weekly market also includes live music under the Heritage Tree. For details and a list of market vendors, visit wellenpark.com/events/fresh-harvest-farmers-market.

Over 100 independent artists and local vendors offer a selection of home decor, fashion, art, design and specialty foods during the Wellen Park Night Market taking place the second Thursday and fourth Tuesday of the month. Vendors rotate every month, offering visitors a fresh experience. For more information, check out wellenpark.com/events/night-market.

Get moving!

Health and wellness are the Wellen way of life, and free weekly meetups and outdoor fitness classes get people moving. Practice poses and enjoy a dose of fresh air during alfresco yoga sessions on the Great Lawn in Downtown Wellen every Saturday, from 9 to 10 a.m. Part of the community’s Be Well Fitness Series provided by the Venice YMCA, the class is appropriate for all ability levels. Reservations are required at wellenpark.com/events/yoga.

The Y also brings America’s favorite dance party – Zumba – to downtown every Monday morning beginning at 9 a.m. The outdoor classes are suited for all experience levels. Reserve a spot at wellenpark.com/events/zumba.

Tuesdays are always a toss-up during the mind and body fitness class which rotates weekly between yoga, Pilates and comparable exercises. The outdoor hour-long class, for all levels, begins at 9 a.m. Sign up at wellenpark.com/events/mind-body.

Weekly meetups for walkers, runners and cyclists not only provide great opportunities to boast daily steps or miles, they also offer a scenic setting winding past preserves, lakes and parks. Participants meet in front of downtown’s Kind Vibes Outfitters. No reservations or registration are required.

• Walking group, 9 to 10 a.m. every Saturday, wellenpark.com/events/walking-group.
• Cycling group, Saturdays at 10 a.m., wellenpark.com/events/cycling-group.
• Running group, Mondays at 6 p.m., wellenpark.com/events/running-group.

Second annual Thanks4Giving Tree

            Through Nov. 19, visitors to the Wellen Park Welcome Center are encouraged to select a tag from the Thanks4Giving Tree and purchase a Publix or Walmart gift card matching the dollar amount. The Rotary Club then purchases complete Thanksgiving meals for families who rely on the Awaken Food Pantry. The annual event provided meals for 100 families last year. This year’s goal is 125 family meals. The Thanksg4Giving Tree is also available at the Sunday morning Fresh Harvest Farmers Market. For more information, visit wellenpark.com/events/thanks4giving-tree.

            Event visitors also enjoy Downtown Wellen’s elevated outdoor experiences, including alfresco dining at all restaurants, the immersive Wander at Wellen augmented reality program and projection art displays. Blending digital and reality, Wander at Wellen uses QR codes and smartphones to add another dimension to downtown. Visitors encounter fish schooling around Grand Lake’s floating dock, experience a Florida butterfly landing on their nose and witness a mural come to life as a blue heron takes flight – accompanied by selfie opportunities, webpages and narrators. Seven red markers are located throughout downtown.

            Projection art displays cast a different light on Downtown Wellen, immersing pedestrians and passersby into colorful and dynamic illuminations along sidewalks, buildings and outdoor spaces. Creating an ever-changing visual environment, the light displays can be viewed from alfresco cafes, lakefront seating areas, the Great Lawn and throughout downtown’s outdoor areas.