Labor Day Weekend, Northwest Indiana Festivals and Special Events

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SEPTEMBER 1-5th 2011
   Labor Day Festival, vendors, beer Garden, Tournaments, Kiddie Parade, live bands, live entertainment, Fish Fry (Fri) Texas Hold Em, American Legion, Lowell, bicycle show, beer tent, entertainment, Family Day w/ games, kiddie parade (sun) Fireworks (Sun) Oldest and Longest Parade on Monday, see ad inside, Texas Hold Em, American Legion, Lowell, bicycle show, beer tent, entertainment, Family Day w/ games, kiddie parade (sun) Fireworks (Sun) Oldest and Longest Parade on Monday, 696-7794 ext. 16. www.lowell.net
Saturday, SEPTEMBER 2nd - 4th 2011
   Griffith 3RD Annual Rock 'N' Rail Street Festival, Fri: 4pm - 11pm, Car Show Sat: 11am - 12am, Sun: 1pm - 12am, The 3RD Annual Rock N Rail Festival will be held in Downtown Griffith on Broad Street retailers’ sidewalk sales, crafts, food, beer garden, live band music on two stages, and a special area for kids of all ages with games, inflatable playhouses and many more kid-friendly activities. Parking and admission to the festival are free. http://www.griffith.in.gov/ 

SEPTEMBER 3, 2011,
   Taste of Duneland, 11am – 11pm, Live Bands all day and night, wine garden, inflateables, food vendors, free, across from Calumet Ave & Broadway, Thomas Centennial Park, Chesterton, wine garden, inflateables, food vendors, free, across from Calumet Ave & Broadway, www.Thomas Centennial Park, Chesterton, 926-9900. www.dunebig.com

SEPTEMBER 3^th  2011
   New Day Foundation Festival,  LaPorte County Fairgrounds. A Bike Tour, Pancake Breakfast, 5K Run/Walk and the 5th Annual “Pig in the Park” Hog Roast, Carnival rides, live entertainment, will all take place, come for one event or enjoy them all, Flu Shots,  219-326-7192,  http://www.newdayfoundation.com/
    VU Communiversity Day $5-30, . All day – Marriott Volley Brawl Tournament, ARC; 4 to 7 p.m. – Build a Reading Buddy, live music, games; 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Tailgate Buffet; 4:30 p.m. – Valpo Volleyball vs. Evansville, ARC; 5:45 p.m. - Buckman Page performing live music, Fitness Center parking lot; 6:40 p.m. – World record attempt, Brown Field; 7 p.m. – Valpo Football vs. Franklin, Brown Field, Fireworks immediately following, 877.MY.VU.TIX or www.valpo.edu/communiversity.
   Woodland Indian Camp- Buckley Homestead, Free Weekend, Hendricks Rd, Lowell, 769-PARK, info@lakecountyparks.com.
   Clean Water Celebration, 6th Annual 11am – 4pm, Marquette Park Area 5, collect stickers, free gifts, creative arts contest, fishing education, water treatment facility tours, water quality presentations, face painting, canoe training & paddle boating, nature therapy, 881-4966 or 944-0595 or 882-3000.
    Sohl Street Jacobs Square Festival, 11am - 6pm, food, games, moon walk, face painting, raffle, prizes, police, finger printing, picture ID, crafters, 5600 Block of Sohl St., Hammond, 931-6700.
SEPTEMBER 2,3, 4, 2011
   September Fest, Fri 5- midnight, Sat: 10 - mid Sun: 10 - midnight, live music each day, bean bag tourney, food, games, Lake Station, Central ave, in front of Central Center plaza, Fireworks on Sat night at 8pm, Shudd-up & Drive, DJ Juan Rios, Dimension Scorpio, Mo Beat Blues, Acoustically Speaking, Dan Reisen & Andrew Cyprus, Daze Gone, The Polka All Stars, (219) 962-2081. www.lakstation.in.gov.
SEPTEMBER 3 & 4, 2011
   All Saints Parish Fest, beer garden, 11am – 9pm, games, raffles, prizes, taco dinner, live music all day, featuring “Ampol Aires at 11am” 570 Sibley St., All Saints Catholic Church, 932-0204.
SEPTEMBER 2th-5th 2011,
   Labor Dayz Festival, Free admission, Parking fees, Fri 5-11:30pm; Sat-Sun 11am-11:30pm; Mon 11am-6:00 pm Three stages of entertainment, arts and crafts, rides, huge variety of food, amusement rides, Washington Park, 6 on the Lake, Michigan City, 874-3630. www.mcsummerfest.org 
SEPTEMBER 2nd - 5th 2011
   Labor Day Sidewalk Sale, Mon-Sat 9am-9pm; Sun 10am-7pm, up to 70% off regular retail, Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets, 601 Wabash St, Michigan City, 879-6506. www.premiumoutlets.com/lighthouseplace
SEPTEMBER 2nd - 5th, 2011,
   Marshall County Blueberry Festival, Free, Fri 5pm-9pm, Sat & Sun 9am to 9pm & Mon 9am to 6pm, Indiana's largest 4-day festival. Family fun, sample the most scrumptious blueberry treats, over 300 arts & crafts vendors, 100 food vendors, 3 entertainment stages, Volleyball, Tennis , Golf, arm wrestling, Little Mr. & Ms. Blueberry pageant, All Star Amusement Carnival, Bicycle Cruise, horse show, pie eating contest, pancake breakfast, much more. Sun. night: spectacular fireworks display. Run in the Blueberry Stomp, 15K race, 5K race, and 1 mile Fun Run & parade. Office: 220 North Center St., Plymouth, (574) 935-5020, www.blueberryfestival.org
SEPTEMBER 2nd - 5th, 2011,
   54th Annual Hesston Steam & Power Show, 10am-5pm, the many uses of turn-of-the-century steam power are demonstrated to the public, 1362 E 1000 N (East of SR 39), LaPorte, 778-2783. http://www.hesston.org 
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4
   Labor Day Celebration at the East Chicago Marina, Salsa band, 7-11pm, food and drink sold, 3301 Aldis St., East Chicago, TBA, 391-8482 www.eastchicago.com 
LABOR DAY WEKEND, SEPT 3-5TH
   The Opening of the Wolf Lake Water Gardens Aquatic Play Center    HAMMOND, IN – Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. and the Hammond Port Authority invite you to bring your family to the Water Gardens Aquatic Play Center at Wolf Lake Memorial Park, 2100 Calumet Avenue, Hammond, IN  46320.  Park hours through Labor Day are 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.  After Labor Day, the Park will be open on weekends only, weather permitting.  Free admission and free parking – this year only.For more information please visit http://www.hammondmarina.com/wolflake. Or call 219-659-7678.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th, 2011
   Concert at the park, "America the Beautiful," 7:30, Free Concert event, Full Orchestra and choir, parking is $5 per car, subscriptions are $25 for entire season, bring your own chair or blanket, chair rental available, held at Memorial Pavilion, located at 119th & Front Streets, on the Lake. Whiting, Indiana, 659-0292.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th & 6th ,
   St. Michael’s Church Festival, 2pm AND 6:30pm, St. Michael’s Church, Schererville, $14 & $7, Elephants in Big Top, 1 Wilhelm St., 219-322-4505. http://www.stmichaels-parish.org
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th 2011,
   Dyer Hometown Celebration, 11am-11pm, Jewel parking lot (off Rt. 30 & Calumet), car show, 1-mile sprint, food vendors, VFW beer garden, band, DJ, bean bag tournament, grill contest, Crawpuppies at 7pm, Free, 865-6108, www.townofdyer.com
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th 2011, 
   Dyer Hometown Celebration, 11am-11pm, Jewel parking lot (off Rt. 30 & Calumet), car show, 1-mile sprint, food vendors, VFW beer garden, band, DJ, bean bag tournament, grill contest, Crawpuppies at 7pm, Free, 865-6108, www.townofdyer.com
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th - 11, 2011
   Clocktower Power Boat Race, start your engines and mark your calendars, you do not want to miss this event! A model boat race, hosted by the Indianapolis Model Boat Race Club on Lake George. Racers from from all around Indiana, and the Chicago Land area participating, 3rd And Main Streets, Downtown Hobart, In 219-942-6112.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011,
   Valparaiso Popcorn Festival, Free, 7am-6:30pm, 500+ arts & crafts booths, Popcorn Parade, music, 2 entertainment stages, 5k walk, 5 mi run & hot air balloon show, Popcorn Panic 5-mi Run & 5-K Walk, 7:30 am, Li’l Kernal Puff kids’ race, registration fee, (contact 462-5144, www.valparaisopark.org), downtown Valparaiso, 464-8332. www.popcornfest.org 
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011
   Lupus Walk for a Cure, 5K walk begins at 10am, reg. your teams at 762-6575, Lake County Fairgrounds, 800-948-8806, www.lupusindiana.org  www.lupusindiana.org
FRI, SAT & SUN, SEPTEMBER 9-11, 2011,
   Midwest Zest Fest, Free, Friday: 4-11pm, Lemon king & queen Crowning Ceremony; Special Appearance by Tom Lounges of Night Rock Radio; Lemon Pie Eating Contests; Lemon Parade; Sour Note Karaoke Bar in Beer Garden; KASHMIR; Saturday: 11am-11pm, Battle of the Bands, Pucker Face 5k Race; Sunday: Kids make & take pet lemon, Robin’s Dog Stars, Vader’s Fist, Featuring: food booths, rides, games, arts & crafts, beer garden, contests, karaoke, live entertainment, King & Queen, parade, and more, downtown Highland, 923-3666. www.midwestzestfest.com 
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH
   Doll & Collectibles Show- Doll, Bear & Miniatures with special exhibit of Paper Dolls, 9-3 pm, $5, ($1 Off Panorama coupon by Calling Vera at 476-7384) Porter County Expo Center, 215 E Division Rd, Valpo, S of hwy 30 on rt 49, 464-0133.
SEPTEMBER 17 & 18 TH
   Duneland Heritage Days Festival, 11 – 5pm, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm, Mineral Springs Road, Porter, free, Authentic music, demo's, hands-on activities, & traditional food, 395-1882, www.nps.gov/indu.
SEPTEMBER 16-18, 2011,
   Wizard of Oz Festival, Sat: 9am-6pm, Sun: 10am-5pm; Join Dorothy and all her Munchkin friends for three days and two nights of Wizard of Oz fantasy. Various events throughout the weekend. See full schedule on Web. Chesterton, 926-9900. www.ozfestivalchesterton.com
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17&18, 2011, 
   Apple Fest, free parking, free admission, large fresh produce and products, full bake shoppe, fresh apple cider, horse and tractor wagons, pumpkins, raspberries, U-pick, 9am-4pm, Garwood Orchard & Farm Market, craft vendors, unique products, live performers both days from 1-4pm, watermelon throwing contest, some proceeds go to LaPorte Small Animal Shelter. 5911 W. 50 S. LaPorte, 800-588-0260, 362-4385. www.garwoodorchard.com
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011,
   The 12th annual LaPorte Sunflower Fair, 8am-4pm,on Michigan Ave. & Maple Ave., 2 blocks south of courthouse in downtown LaPorte. Crafts, collectables, kiddie rides, games, sunflower growing contest, Bakeoff, coloring contest, sunflower recipes, antique auto show, cook-off application, art gallery walk, 5K run + health walk, local bands, food and fun for the whole family, Car show from 9-3pm, $10 per car, to enter the Red Cross 5-K Run & Health Walk call: 888-632-4355. 362-2084 or visit www.sunflowerfair.com
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011
   Jammin' for the Dunes Music Festival, 4:00PM - 10:00PM, First Annual Jammin' for the Dunes Music Festival includes local favorite Chester Brown, Stealin the Farm, Tommy Thompson Band, Ron Buffington, Local Craft beer, bags tournament, henna tattoo station, door and raffle prizes, Washington park, Michigan City, 879-3564. www.savedunes.org
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011,
    Bizarre Bazaar, Free. 10am-5pm, Hohman & Rimbach St.(s), Hammond, Pie Baking & Salsa Eating Contests, Food & Arts & Crafts, Children’s Chess, Adult Doubles Bean Bag Tournaments, Musical Entertainment, Beer & Margarita Tent, Custom Car Show, Kids Games, Canine Costume Contest & More. Bring lawn chairs see outside front cover for more, 512-4298, www.downtownhammond.org
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011,
   Jammin for the Dunes Music Festival, 4-10pm, local favorite Chester Brown, Stealin the Farm, Tommy Thompson Band, Ron Buffington and others. Craft local beer from Shoreline and Figure Eight, food from local vendors including Cafe Elite, Soda Dog, Bubbles Ice Cream and Lakeshore Coffee, fun activities such as a bags tournament, henna tattoo station, door and raffle prizes, Jaycee Stage, Washington park, Michigan City, 879-3564. www.savedunes.org
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011,
   15th Annual Shake, Rattle & Roll, 2:00PM - 12:00AM, Car Show fundraiser. On display: The Chi-Town Hustler and NASCAR's Miller Lite #2 "Blue Deuce". Miller Lite food and beer garden, raffles and door prizes, cornhole tournament, Nelson's Port-a-Pit and Street Dancing, LaPorte County Fairgrounds, 2581 W St Rd 2, LaPorte (219)861-5105; (219)861-5422
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2011
   Celebration of the Arts, Media outdoor art show featuring some of the Midwest’s finest artists, Sat: 10 –5 pm, Sun: 11–5 pm, On the grounds of the Schoolhouse Shop. 278 E. 1500 North, Chesterton/Furnessville, 926-1551, www.schoolhouseshop.com
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER TBA 2011
    Annual Coat Drive and Gospel Fest, Collection of winter coats for the community (Salvation Army, Pat & Ruby’s, Black Oak Food Pantry), featuring local and regional groups and individuals, 1–5 pm, Free admission, K-Mart Parking Lot, Willowcreek and US 6, Portage, Please call for 2011 date, 219-762-5090.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2011,
   Duneland Heritage Festival AKA Duneland Harvest Festival, 11am-5pm, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's Chellberg Farm And Bailly Homestead, Music, Storytelling, Artisan Displays, Quilting, Demonstrations, Food From The 19th Century, Old Time Crafts, Sheep-Herding, Children's Corner, Doll Making, 3 Stages With Local Artists, Chellberg Farm US Hwy 20, Mineral Springs Rd, Porter, 395-8914 http://www.nps.gov/indu
SEPTEMBER 24 & 25
   Harvest Craft Festival, 10-5pm, & Sunday 10- 4pm, Griffith Central Park, Broad St, Hosted by Griffith Boy Scouts, Along with the crafts, concession area that includes steamed corn on the cob, stuffed potatoes, pulled pork sandwiches, hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks & bake sale, 838-9421, griffithtroop264@yahoo.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
   Harvest Palooza, SS Constantine and Helen, (Home of Merrillville Greek Fest), 8000 Madison St, Merrillville, $10 Music: The Pop Tops 7 pm, Crawpuppies 8 pm.
SEPTEMBER 25
   St Ann of the Dunes Annual Oktoberfest- enjoy Bratwurst, Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, and more! Live music! Beer, wine & soda, Under large tents, Children's activities, 11-3pm, Beverly Shores, off Rt 12 adjacent to National Lakeshore Campground, 465-9224.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 & 2 2011
   Fall Harvest Days, Sat 9am-2pm, Sun: 10am – 2pm) free,  FRESH APPLE CIDER, WIMS Radio (sat), Locally Grown produce and meats, Pumpkins, corn stalks, food, entertainment, wood carvers, antique car show, Fall Decorations, pumpkins, food vendors, local artisans, Fall Gift Ideas, Live Music Sat & Sun. Grammy Contender Keenan Baxter on keyboards Sun.  Noon -2pm, Located at the Pioneer Pier, 234 E. 2nd st.,  Michigan City, North of the intersection of Hwy 35 & Hwy 12, 219-508-5650  http://www.riverside-market.com