From fun activities for the family to heart-stirring live theater to community festivals - even a solar eclipse! - Elkhart County has it all in April.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
Thursday - Sunday through April 20. Unravel the mystery of Willy Wonka and enjoy a great night of theater with “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.” Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday - Sunday through April 20 at the Round Barn Theatre, 1600 W. Market St., Nappanee, right in the heart of The Barns at Nappanee campus.
Goshen First Friday: Goshen Arts Tour
April 5. Explore the amazing works of Elkhart County’s talented artists at Goshen First Fridays. Goshen Arts Tour will feature displays of artists throughout downtown Goshen from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 5. Kids will love free makers activities and everyone will relish the dining and shopping specials.
April 5-7 and April 12-13. Return to the 1940s with the Elkhart Civic Theatre and its self-produced show presented in the style of an old-fashioned radio show complete with live sound effects. It’s a can’t-miss display of theatrical skill. Performances are April 5-7 and April 12-13 at the Bristol Opera House, 210 E. Vistula St., Bristol.
April 8. The solar eclipse is coming to parts of North America and, while Elkhart County isn’t quite in full totality (it’s more like 97 percent), it will still be an amazing sight. The Elkhart Environmental Center, 1717 E. Lusher Ave., will have a Solar Eclipse Party, from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday, April 8, with activities, snacks and music. Elkhart County Parks will present Total Eclipse of the Sun from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. April 8 at Ox Bow County Park, 23033 County Road 45. A naturalist will be on-hand to talk about the eclipse and help view it in real time through a telescope.
April 11. Get ready for the unmatched energy of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers band at 8 p.m. April 11 at the Blue Gate Theatre, 760 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana.
Zach Williams: A Hundred Highways Tour
April 14. The powerful vocals of Zach Williams and Riley Clemmons will command the Lerner Theatre stage, 410 S. Main St., Elkhart, at 7 p.m. April 14. This performance of A Hundred Highways Tour will be a showcase for Williams’ chart-topping hits and Clemmons’ emerging stardom.
April 20. Elkhart Environmental Center, 1717 E. Lusher Ave. Elkhart, is the perfect place to celebrate our planet. Activities from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 20 include a free native tree giveaway, live fish demonstrations, children’s activities, and food available for purchase.
April 25-28. Incredible artistry in the form of balloons will be a must-see from April 25-28 at The Big Balloon Build at the Northern Indiana Event Center at the RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum, 21565 Executive Parkway, Elkhart.
April 26-28. You can’t go wrong with a pancakes and sausage breakfast, but why not make a day of it with arts and crafts vendors of every type, live entertainment, carnival rides, games and a parade. Keep up the energy with the plentiful food vendors and, of course, the Wakarusa Dime Store’s famous Jumbo Jelly Beans.