RECREATION, ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ARTS
RECREATION
Recreational opportunities abound in Van Wert. Sports fans will find plenty of high school sports to enjoy, and the parks in Van Wert allow a chance to get in on the action. The city boasts two golf courses (one public and one private), two large reservoirs for fishing and jogging, and two bowling centers for the keglers. Both a YMCA and a YWCA are available for the community's fitness needs.
City Parks
Smiley Park
Leeson Avenue across from the airport
Offers: Multiple baseball diamonds, basketball courts, fishing, playground, several shelters, and large, open grassy areas. Restrooms on site.
Jubilee Park
Located at the north end of North Market Street
Offers: Tennis courts, playground, horsehoe pits, basketball courts. Restrooms on site.
Fountain Park
Corner of West Main and Jefferson Streets downtown.
Offers: Gazebo, large fountain, band shell (many community concerts here in the summer!)
Van Wert County Swimming Pool
500 Fox Road
Offers: Swimming (obviously), water slides
Golf Courses
The Woods Public Golf Course
12083 US 127 South
(419) 238-0441
Willow Bend Golf Club
Private Club
575 Hospital Drive
(419) 238-1041
Bowling
Olympic Lanes
430 W. Ervin Road
(419) 232-BOWL
Offers: Bowling (naturally), volleyball leagues (summer), billiards, arcade games
Max-A-Rama Lanes
710 W. Ervin Road
(419) 238-4822
Offers: Bowling, volleyball leagues (summer), billiards, arcade games
Fishing
Van Wert Reservoirs
US 127 just south of the hospital
Stocked by the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources
Flying
Van Wert County Airport
11350 Old Tile Factory Road (Leeson Avenue)
(419) 232-4500
Offers: Flying lessons, fuel, snack machines, no landing fees
Coordinates: 40 51 8 North, 84 36 3 West
The Y's
YMCA
241 W. Main Street
(419) 238-0443
Offers swimming, basketball, weight room, running track, etc.
YWCA
408 E. Main Street
(419) 238-6639
ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ARTS
The city enjoys having an award-winning theater company, two movie theaters just west of town, an art gallery, the country's first public library, and numerous concerts throughout the year.
Theater
The Van Wert Civic Theater
118 S. Race Street
(419) 238-9929
The Van Wert Civic Theater has a reputation for quality. The Civic Theater produces four to six shows each season,at least one of which is a musical. Nearly every production sells out all performances, and the group has won numerous awards from the Ohio Civic Theater Guild. The groups theater house is currently undergoing extensive renovations and remodeling. Casting for all productions is open to the public by audition.
Stage left Productions
The Stagecoach Restaurant
109 S. Walnut Street
(419) 238-2676
Stage left Productions, under the direction of Jack Paullus, presents two to three dinner theater shows each season. The meal is a buffet dinner, while the shows are usually comedies with adult themes. Performances fill up quickly, and reservations are required. My wife and I enjoy this fine evening out!
Concerts
The Van Wert Concert Association brings several concerts to the Marsh Foundation Auditorium each year, with musical styles ranging anywhere from Bach to Basie (and beyond!) The Van Wert Fraternal Order Of Police sponsors top-name country music concerts at the Marsh Auditorium, with the proceeds going to their organization's community projects. In Fountain Park, spring and summer means free outdoor concerts by local musicians, as well as an annual performance of the Toledo Area Concert Band.
Visual Arts
The Wassenberg Art Center
643 S. Washington Street
(419) 238-6837
Several shows featuring prominent artists and varied media are offered each year. The Wassenberg also hosts a juried show of work from local high school artists.
Cinema
Epps Theatres
Located just west of Van Wert on W. Ridge Road
(419) 238-2100
The Epps Theatres includes two indoor movie theaters and a drive-in theater. See the newest releases here.
Library
The Brumback Library
215 W. Main Street
(419) 238-3234
The nation's first public library has recently undergone a major renovation and addition project. The Brumback Library now utilizes state-of-the-art record keeping, and offers a dial-in computer connection to search their resources. The sandstone exterior of the building has been well maintained, and appears as it did the day it was completed in the 1800's.
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