Fun blooms this weekend at Peony Festival

VAN WERT — Even though the peonies were early — the timing always seems to be off — Van Wert is celebrating its annual Peony Festival this weekend.It's the Van Wert Peony Festival, and this year's event includes everything from art shows to pet shows to fishing derby to quilt and car shows.“This is a big deal for us. This is the 39th year for the festival, and it really kicks off our summer season,” said Larry Lee, executive director of the Van Wert Visitor and Convention Bureau. “I'd say this draws about 20,000 people to Van Wert over the course of the three days,” Lee said.This year's event includes six area gardens in the annual Peony Festival Garden Tours on Saturday and Sunday. At the fairgrounds, a craft show and garage sales will be featured, as well as a quilt show and the 51st annual Jubilee flower show.Downtown, artisan demonstrations will be ongoing as part of ArtRageous on Main. Also there, a raffle for an original piece of art created by 11 artists will be offered.There is also a car show there, a pet show and a city run.“And we have a great concert to kick off our Fountain Park Music Series on Friday in Fountain Park. The Bronx Wanderers will bring the music of the 1950s and ‘60s to the park to kick off the 11th season of summertime concerts.The original festival was held in 1902 as a way to highlight the commercial peony farms in the area. Although no commercial peony farms remain, the festival is too good to stop.“A lot of people come out for this. It's a great time to visit Van Wert,” Lee said.