Porter County Fair
The Porter County Fair returns July 22-31. For details about schedules and performers, visit www.portercountyfair.com.
Friday, July 23
St. Sava Serbfest
St. Sava’s Serbfest returns today through Sunday, July 25 on the church grounds at 9191 Mississippi in Merrillville. Festivities include three nights of music, food, games, and raffles. To learn more, visit www.saintsava/net/Serbfest.
Whiting Pierogi Fest
Whiting’s Pierogi Fest runs July 23-25 through the city’s downtown district, including 119th Street. The program includes fun contests, food vendors, beer garden, and 5 stages. The parade starts Friday at 7:00 p.m. Interested? Visit pierogifest.net or call 219-659-0292.
Saturday, July 24
Valpo Wine Festival
The Valparaiso Wine Festival is coming to Central Park Plaza downtown from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. This is a 21-older event; tickets are being sold. Food and music are part of the program. Visit www.valparaisoevents.com for more information.
Wednesday, July 28
Splash into Family Fun
Hobart Family YMCA is holding Family Night at Deep River Waterpark from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Cost is $10 a person. The public may enter the park at 5:00 p.m., but the private event will not begin until 6:30. Tickets are limited. They may be purchased at the Y or online at www.hobartymca.org/deepriver. Call 219-942-2183 for more details.
Friday, July 30
Benefit Wine Tasting
Anderson’s Winery & Vineyard at 430 E. Hwy. 6 in Valparaiso will hold a wine tasting event today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This is a benefit for rebuilding the barn and arena at Exceptional Equestrians Unlimited. Cost is $100 per person, which includes sampling wines in an outdoor/garden setting, appetizers, silent auction, and live music. To learn more, call Sandi at 219-916-3683 or visit Eventbrite.com/e/wine-tasting-tickets. Seating is limited.
Friday, Aug. 6
Lake County Fair
The Lake County Fair returns Aug. 6-15. To learn more about events and schedules, visit www.lake-county-fair.com.
UW Day of Caring
United Way Regional Volunteer Center is seeking volunteers to help local nonprofits during its annual Day of Caring event today. United Way is looking for more than 700 volunteers to help with 67 service projects. Volunteers should register by Tuesday, July 27 to guarantee receipt of a free Day of Caring t-shirt. Individuals and teams are encouraged. For more information and to register, visit nwivolunteer.org.
Saturday, Aug. 7
Chesterton Art Fair
The 62nd annual Chesterton Art Fair will be held today and tomorrow, Aug. 7-8, at Dogwood Park, 1315 S. 23rd St., Chesterton Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday. Featured are 60-plus juried artists. Parking is free; admission is $5. To learn more, call 219-926-4711 or visit www.chestertonart.org.
Cat Society Benefit
The Independent Cat Society will hold its sixth annual bake sale and open house today from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and tomorrow, Aug. 8, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. This is a benefit for the facility and its cats and kittens. The ICS is located at U.S. 6 and the LaPorte-Porter County Line Road in Westville. For more details, call 219-785-4936 or visit www.catsociety.org.
Epoxy Resin Workshop
Chesterton Art Center will host an epoxy resin workshop from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuition is $60 for non-members, $50 for members, along with a $38 supplies fee. To register, find the art center at Eventbrite.com. Call 219-926-4711 for more information. The art center’s address is 115 S. 4th St., Chesterton.
Beach Volleyball Tourney
Valpo Parks is introducing a beach volleyball tournament today and tomorrow, Aug. 8 at Berkley Park, 201 Sheffield Dr. Fee is $60 per 4-person team in coed and women’s brackets. The park department is also taking registrations for its coed and women’s indoor volleyball league running October through March. Games are played Monday and Wednesday nights at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. For more details on these programs, call 219-462-5144.
Thursday, Aug. 12
Watercolor Workshop
Chesterton Art Center is hosting a 2-day watercolor workshop today and tomorrow, Aug. 13, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. both days. Cost is $140 for members, $160 for non-members. Masks are encouraged but not mandatory. Time is provided for lunch. The art center is located at 115 S. 4th St., Chesterton. To learn more about programming, call 219-926-4711 or visit www.chestertonart.org.
Valpo Parks Programs
Valpo Parks is offering Pathways & Pizza, a free program, Aug. 12 from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at Central Park Plaza. On Saturday, Aug. 14, the park department is sponsoring a 20K bike race from Creekside Trails. Race fee is $30. For more details, call 219-462-5144.
Thursday, Aug. 19
Hobart Lakefront Festival
The annual Hobart Lakefront Festival returns Aug.19-22 at Festival Park on the lakefront. The festival features four days of family fun, beer garden, live entertainment, and plenty of food and vendors. To learn more, call 219-942-4511.
Duck Tape & Cardboard Regatta
As part of
Saturday, Aug. 21
Warm Glass Fusing
Chesterton Art Center will host a one-session warm glass fusing class today from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. All materials are provided. Cost is $45 for members and $55 for non-members, along with a $10 materials fee. All materials are provided. The art center is located at 115 S. 4th St., Chesterton. Call 219-926-4711 or visit www.chestertonart.org to learn more.
Duck Tape & Cardboard Regatta
As part of Hobart’s Lakefront Festival, the public is invited to build watercraft from duct tape and cardboard. This event runs 4:00 p.m. Saturday at Festival Park and is open to all. To learn more, call 219-942-4511.
Saturday, Aug. 28
Valpo Night Ride
Valpo Parks is offering a Night Ride for cyclists tonight from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., starting and finishing from Central Park Plaza. Check-in is 8:30-9:30 a.m. Registration fee is $30 in advance, $35 the day of the event. Call 219-462-5144 for more details.
Monday, Aug. 30
One Amazing Golf Outing
Friends of Opportunity Enterprises is sponsoring One Amazing Golf Outing today at Valparaiso Country Club. Registration for the morning session starts at 6:00 a.m., with a shotgun start at 7:00 a.m. Registration for the afternoon session starts at 11:30 a.m., with golf starting at 1:00 p.m. To learn more, visit oppent.org/golf or call 219-464-9621 x333.
Saturday, Sept. 18
Fall Fire Flannel Fest
Lowell Volunteer Fire Department presents its Fall Fire Flannel Fest, a car, truck, and bike show, at Freedom Park, 17105 Cline Ave., Lowell. There is a $20 fee for entries; the show is open to the public. There will be judging starting at 10:00 a.m. and trophies awarded at noon. Interested? Call 219-696-8919 or 219-696-1017.
Now in Progress
Portage Summer Music Series
The Portage Summer Music Series continues Tuesday through Aug. 31 indoors at Woodland Park Oakwood Hall. A car show will be featured before and during concerts. Concerts are free, but donations are accepted for the Portage Food Pantry and Gabriel’s Horn shelter. Visit www.portagelive.org for a concert schedule.
Concerts in the Park
Hobart’s Revelli Bandshell in Festival Park is hosting free concerts Thursday evenings through Aug. 26. Concerts run as part of the Summer Market on the Lake from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. Call 219-942-4511 or visit www.cityofhobart.org for more details.
Acorn Concert Series
The Acorn Concert Series at Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest continues Friday, July 30, Saturday, Aug. 21, and Friday, Sept. 21. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.; opener begins at 6:00 p.m.; and the headliner performs at 7:30 p.m. There are ticket rates for members and non-members. To learn more, call 219-462-0025 or visit pnw.edu/gabis arboretum. The facility is located at 450 W. 100 N. in Valparaiso
Downtown Valpo Concerts
Northwest Health Amphitheater at Central Park Plaza in Valparaiso is hosting summer concerts on Thursday, through Aug. 26, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, including a list of performers visit www.valparaisoevnts.com.
Coffee Creek Concerts
The Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve Amphitheater in Chesterton is hosting concerts and a complimentary cup of coffee on Thursdays, July 29 and Aug. 26. Sponsor is Residences at Coffee Creek. For more details, call 219-926-1842 or visit www.coffeecreekwc.org.
Wellness Walk & Talk
Northwest Health offers Wellness Walk and Talks on Tuesday mornings now through Sept. 28 at Clear Lake Trail in LaPorte. Registration starts at 7:45, with a 30-minute wellness talk and walk at 8:00 a.m. This is open to all ages; no pre-registration is required. To learn more, call 219-326-2048.
Adult Recess
Valpo Parks is offering adult recess at Central Park Plaza downtown, Tuesday now through July 27, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The public is invited to stop by for lunch and enjoy recess games, including hula-hoop, croquet, cornholing, and badminton. Call 219-462-5144 for more details.
Hobart Movie Night
The city of Hobart invites the public to grab a blanket and head down to Festival Park, 111 E. Old Ridge Rd., for Thursday movie night, July 22, and 29. These family movies start at dusk. For more information call 219-942-4511 or visit www.cityofhobart.org.
Flashback Flicks in Portage
Summer Flashback Movies return to Indiana American Water Amphitheater at Founders Square Park in Portage. Movies begin at dusk on the following Fridays: July 23, and 30. Visit www.inportageparks.com to learn more.
Downtown Fitness
Valpo Parks invites the public to Central Park Plaza for downtown fitness activities on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays throughout the summer. Hours are 6:00-6:45 p.m. Mondays and noon-12:45 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. No registration is required. Call 219-462-5144 to learn more.
Parks Offer Art for Adults
Porter County Parks is offering a 6-hour oil painting class the second Saturday of the month for June, August, October and December from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Class fee is $65 and the program takes place at the Sunset Hill Farm Program Center, 775 Meridian Rd., Valparaiso. The park system is also offering adult art classes on acrylics, unstructured, scarf and fabric painting, and the art of graffiti. To learn more, call 219-465-3586.
Spring Sports Registration
Valpo Parks is taking signups for the following spring sports: coed spring soccer, baseball leagues, lacrosse clinic. Also sought are soccer and softball officials. For more details, call 219-462-5144, or register online at ValpoParks.org.
Ongoing throughout season
Instructors Welcome
Do you possess a skill or trade that can be taught in small groups or online atmosphere? Valpo Parks is looking for instructors for 2021 programs. This could include nutrition, languages, martial arts, technology, and hobbies. If interested, call the parks office at 219-462-5155.
Free Balance Screenings
Methodist Hospitals is offering free balance screenings at its Southlake Campus, 303 E. 89th Ave., Merrillville. The screening is completed in 20 minutes and no physician order is required. To learn more, call 219-738-3500.
Health Education Classes
Our hospitals and medical centers have resumed offering community health education classes and seminars. Some are in-person, others are virtual, and others are pre-recorded seminars. To learn more, contact the hospital in your community.
YMCA Programming
Area YMCA’s have reopened with revised programming and reduced hours due to the coronavirus. To learn more about what’s happening at your local YMCA, call the following numbers: Hobart, 219-942-2183; Valparaiso, 219-462-4185; Duneland, 219-926-4204; or Southlake, 219-663-5810.
Volunteers for Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana is seeking volunteers for its programs, including drivers and Phone Pals. Training is available. Applicants from age 18 and up are welcome. For more details, call 219-756-3663 or visit www.mownwi.org.
Auxiliary Looking for Volunteers
St. Mary Medical Center Auxiliary in Hobart is looking for volunteers. There is a special need for volunteers, 18 and older, in the Gift Shop, west information desk and transporting. All safety protocols are being observed and masks will be provided as needed. For more information on how to become a volunteer, contact the Department of Volunteer Services at 219-947-6011 for a one-on-one interview.
Health Screenings at Portage Y
Community Healthcare System provides free blood pressure screenings from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursday at the Portage Township YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Rd., Portage. Information on health issues will also be available. Call 219-762-9622 for more information.
Free BP Testing at Hobart YMCA
The Hobart Family YMCA offers free blood pressure screenings Wednesdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m., and Thursdays, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Hobart Y is located at 601 W. 41st Place, Hobart. Call 219-942-2183 to learn more.
Valpo Y Hosts BP Screening
The Valparaiso Family YMCA offers free blood pressure screening and information on ailments related to heart health, such as diabetes or congestive heart failure. Screenings are free. Call 219-464-4185 ext. 262 for days and time. The Valpo Y is located at 1201 Cumberland Crossing off Calumet Avenue.