Festivals and Special Events

| Calendar of Events |  Concerts   |  Festivals  |  Dining |   Local Links |  Theatre  |  Dancing    |  Trips   |  Movies |  Home  | Art Galleries & Museums | Indiana Dunes  | |Banquet Halls (NEW)  | Costume Characters | Farmer's Markets

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH
     Sweetheart Dance, a Parent/Child Dance, 6-9pm, $5 per couple, $1 each additional person, refreshments provided, photos only $8 each, music by DJ Casey Ramos, located at the Jean Shepherc Community Center, 3031 Mahoney Dr., Hammond, tickets purchased at the Civic Center 853-6378 or the Jean Shepherd Center, 554-0155.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH
   Daddy, Daughter Dance, Highland Residents only, 7-9pm, Lincoln Center, 2450 Lincoln St.,  $15 per couple with advance tickets, $20 at the door, includes, dancing, light refreshments, photos, 838-0114.
      Daddy Daughter Dance,  Treat your little girl to a night of dinner, dancing, and lots of fun. Dress up or semi-casual. Portrait photos available for an additional cost, 6:00 – 8:30pmWednesday, February 1Oakwood Hall, Woodland Park, $45 / couple. Add $15 per additional child, Portage Parks, 762-1675.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH
   Valentine's Day at Winey Beach Cafe, special selected menu, only $50 per couple, includes appetizer, wine, dessert, salad, and entree, live music by Grammy Contender, Keenan Baxter, located downtown Historic Whiting, at 1350 - 119th Street, reservations suggested, 659-1466  www.wineybeachcafe.net
   Sweetheart's Dance, children ages 4-12 accompanied by an adult, $5 per couple, $3 per additional child, Food, DJ, Games, prizes, photos, Wicker Park Clubhouse, 8554 Indianapolis Blvd., Hammond/Highland, 932-2530, ext. 331. presented by North Township Trustee.
   Sweetheart Dance, a parent/child dance, 6-9pm, $5 per couple, $1 each additional person, refreshments provided, photos only $8 each, music by DJ Casey Ramos, located at the Jean Shepherc Community Center, 3031 Mahoney Dr., Hammond, tickets purchased at the Civic Center 853-6378 or the Jean Shepherd Center, 554-0155.
SATURDAY, February 11th, 2012
   "A moment in History - an evening aboard the Titanic" Dinner - Dance, 6pm, $50 pp, at Centennial Park in Munster, IN, Tickets are on sale until Feb. 4th, 2012, presented by the Historical Society, www.munsterhistory.org .
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18 , 2012,
   WINTER ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR Artists, Munster High School (8808 Columbia Avenue). The mediums accepted include paintings, drawings, graphics, sculpture, pottery, candles, photography, leather, floral, ceramics, jewelry, carvings, needlework, blown or stained glass and woodcrafts to name a few. The fee is $75 (plus 7% state sales tax) per 10’ x 10’ booth space. Applications may be submitted to the Munster Parks and Recreation Office, 1005 Ridge Road. Applications will be accepted until the Fair is filled. For more information on the Arts & Craft Fair and other programs and services of Munster Parks and Recreation, call (219) 836-PARK.
FEBRUARY 17th, 18th, & 19th
   Home Show, 11am - 6pm, hosted by the LaPorte County Builders Association, Marquette Mall, Corner of Rte 421 & 20, Michigan City, presented by the LaPorte County Builders Assn, 326-0624, www.baoflc.wordpress.com
FEBRUARY 17th, 18th & 19th
   St. John Winter Festival, “Sun & Sand,” Fri: Mexican Dinner, Sat Afternoon: Senior Day with polka; Sun: Chicken Dinner, Every day: Tip Boards, silent auction, teen dance, pull tabs, crafts, games, bake sale, kids arts and crafts, bounce house, food, St. John Parish, 659-3042, 1849 Lincoln Ave., Whiting, www.sjbcatholicparish.org 
Sunday, February 19, 2012
   Bride Blu, 12:00PM - 4:00PM, Blue Chip Casino's exclusive bridal event.Pre-register at brideblu.com. Blue Chip Casino's exclusive bridal event. Enjoy one-on-one appointments with the finest bridal vendors, hair and make-up demonstrations, on-going fashion shows and much more. Pre-register at brideblu.com. Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa, 777 Blue Chip Dr., Michigan City, IN, 888-879-7711, http://www.brideblu.com  
      Flea For All, 11am – 4pm, Whiting Community Center, wide variety of items displayed from antiques to clothing, presented by the Chamber of Commerce, 1938 Clark St., tables are only $20,  659-0292.
Friday, February, 24th
   Daddy Daughter Dance, Get all dressed up & come out for an evening of dancing, arts & crafts, and more. Pictures will be taken of all couples to take home. Refreshments will be served. Pre-registration required at least 1 week in advance. Red Mill County Park, presented by LaPorte County Parks, $5 per person, 325-8315.
   Leap Into Arts 2012, Fundraiser for South Shore Dance Alliance, 6-11pm, Halls of St. George, 905 Joliet St., Schererville, $50 per person, cocktails, dinner, raffle, silent auction, dancing, performances, youth orchestra performance, advance tickets only, 395-6226 or www.leapintothearts.org
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24 TH
   Winter Dazzle, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m, Live Ice Carving Competition from 6:30-8:30pm in Central Park Plaza! 10 professional carvers will show off their skills to win the top prize! 1st thru 3rd place winners will be selected by live judges. Plus, a people's choice award winner will be selected! Horse-drawn wagon rides will carry enthusiastic passengers around the downtown streets. Central Park, downtown Valparaiso, 464-8332, www.valparaisoevents.com/winter-dazzle 
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 TH,
   Winter Dazzle, 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. Enjoy LIVE Ice Carving and free miniature ice golf in Central Park Plaza. Golf through pre-carved blocks of ice! Horse-drawn wagon rides continue around the downtown streets, Central Park, downtown Valparaiso, 464-8332, www.valparaisoevents.com/winter-dazzle 
Saturday & Sunday, February 25th & 26th
   Antique & Collectibles Show, Industrial Arts Building, Lake County Fairgrounds, 889 S. Court Street, Crown Point, IN 46307. Saturday 10-4 & Sunday 10-3; Admission $4.00, Children 12 & Under are Free, hosted by the Crossroads Chamber of Commerce, 219-769-8180.
SATURDAY, MARCH 3RD
   R-Rider’s Swap Meet, 8AM – 1PM, pm, Porter County Expo Center, 8am – 5pm, 215 E. Division Rd., $7.50 pp, Valparaiso, Just south of Hwy 30 and Hwy 49 Bypass, Valparaiso, 464-0133.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MARCH 3 - 4TH
   Mental Health Assoc Annual Antique Show,  Porter County Expo Center, 8am – 5pm, Division Rd., $7.50 pp, Valparaiso, Just south of Hwy 30 and Hwy 49 Bypass, Valparaiso, 464-0133.
MARCH 9TH - 11TH
   Porter County Home & Garden Show, Thur: 10am - 5pm, Fri, Sat, & Sun:: 9am – 8pm, Porter County Expo Center, 8am – 5pm, 215 E. Division Rd., $7.50 pp, Valparaiso, Just south of Hwy 30 and Hwy 49 Bypass, Valparaiso, 464-0133.
SATURDAY, MARCH 10th
   Extravaganza Vendor & Craft Spring Expo, 9am - 4pm, Free, Patrician Banquet Center, 410 E. US Highway 30, Schererville, contact: 219-741-0435.
 SATURDAY, MARCH  10
   Valparaiso Kiwanis Pancake Day,  All you can Eat!, 6am – 1pm, Valparaiso High School Cafeteria, Kid's Play zone, Prize Drawings,  $5 in advance, $6 at the door, Pre-schoolers free., to order tickets call Justin at 219-712-3503.
Saturday, March 24
   Antique & Collectible, Toy & Advertising Show, 9am - 2pm, Lincoln Center, 2450 Lincoln Rd. Highland, www.santashows.com
Saturday & Sunday, MARCH 17th & 18th
   Shipshewana On The Road, Porter County Expo Center, 9am – 6pm, & Sunday 10am - 5pm, 215 E. Division Rd., $7.50 pp, Valparaiso, Just south of Hwy 30 and Hwy 49 Bypass, Valparaiso, 464-0133.
SAT & SUN MARCH  24th &  25th, 2012
    The Pampered Woman Show will return to Hammond for its 10th year, Sat: from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun: and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jean Shepherd Community Center, 3031 J.F. Mahoney Drive, The gathering focuses on spa services, acupuncture, hand and foot treatments and waxing, lots of vendors, Admission is $5 and children under 12 are free, call (219) 853-6378.