Sips from Our Sister Cities 2026
Fort Wayne Sister Cities International celebrated a successful first year of “Sips from Our Sister Cities” on Wednesday, May 20th, at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory. Community members gathered for an evening filled with international food, drinks and cultural connection.
The sold-out event welcomed guests from 6 to 9 p.m. for an immersive experience featuring tasting stations inspired by Fort Wayne’s Sister Cities in Poland, Germany, Japan and Myanmar. Attendees enjoyed cocktails, mocktails and appetizers while learning more about the cultures and partnerships that connect Fort Wayne to communities around the world.
Guests received passports to guide their experience through the event, collecting stamps at each station while exploring cultural displays and conversations throughout the evening. Admission also included access to the Botanical Conservatory’s well-loved butterfly exhibit, adding another special element to the night.
Fort Wayne Sister Cities International is grateful to the community, sponsors, volunteers and partners whose support helped make the organization’s first annual event such a success.
“We truly could not have imagined a better turnout for our first year,” said Melissa Rinehart, board president of Fort Wayne Sister Cities International. “It was exciting to see so many people come together to celebrate different cultures in such a unique way.”
In addition to celebrating the success of this year’s event, Fort Wayne Sister Cities International is now accepting chaperone applications for its Summer 2027 Chapman Student Exchange travel program. Applications are open through 11:59 p.m. on June 15, 2026, for those interested in chaperoning student travel groups to Gera, Germany, or Plock, Poland.
