Upcoming Events in Porter County
Animal
 | Bark in the Park - 07/14/2012 Enjoy a dog-friendly day in the park! |
 | Cat Show - 03/10/2012 - 03/11/2012 Dunes Cat Fanciers will be hosting their Semi-Annual Non-profit Back to Back Championship and Household Pet Cat Show on March 10th & 11th. |
 | Fall Festival Horse Show - 09/15/2012 - 09/16/2012 Annual Fall Festival Horse Show. |
 | Llama Showcase - 09/29/2012 - 09/30/2012 A llama showcase exhibition. |
 | Popcorn Cluster Dog Shows - 06/20/2012 - 06/24/2012 Five days of dog shows with over 150 breeds. Confirmation and performance competitions. Only pre-registered dogs are allowed. |
 | Summer Fling Horse Show - 06/01/2012 - 06/03/2012 Everything for the horse enthusiast. |
Arts and Crafts
 | Fall Craft Show & More - 10/20/2012 - 10/21/2012 The Portage Parks Department invites you to attend this 29th annual event. There will be 48 home made/hand made crafters and 26 buy/sell vendors. |
 | Hebron Elementary Arts & Crafts Fair - 10/13/2012 32nd Annual Hebron Elementary Arts & Crafts Fair features over 125 booth spaces at an indoor show. |
 | Holidaze Arts & Crafts Show - 11/17/2012 - 11/18/2012 Big craft show with all types of media, food and 160 crafters. |
Art Exhibits
 | 4th Annual ARTOUR - 08/25/2012 An afternoon of sharing art crafts. Artist are placed in local businesses for an afternoon. This year over 25 artists and 17 local businesses are participating! |
 | 54th Annual Chesterton Art Fair - 08/04/2012 - 08/05/2012 Features the original artwork of over 130 artists from across the United States. Also features artist demonstrations. |
 | Celebration of the Arts - 09/15/2012 - 09/16/2012 "A really cool established art fair in a wooded setting." |
 | Harvest Festival Art Show - 10/06/2012 - 10/07/2012 The Portage Park Department invites you to join us for the 2nd annual Harvest Festival. The event consists of a juried art show, wine & cheese tasting, chocolate tasting and live music. Admission is free. |
Car Show
 | Car Show - 05/20/2012 Annual Porter County car show. Come out and explore the possibilities! |
 | Corvette & Chevy Show - 08/11/2012 - 08/12/2012 Annual exhibit for the auto enthusiast. |
Community
 | Friends of the Library Book Sale - 04/20/2012 - 04/22/2012 The Friends of Westchester Public Library holds two book sales each year. |
 | Hebron Block Party - 10/06/2012 Enjoy this Hebron community event. |
 | Household Hazardous Waste, Tire, and Appliance Collection - 05/19/2012 Don't miss this popular annual recycling opportunity. |
 | Junk-in-the-Trunk - 07/14/2012 Join us for an open air, multiple vendor, rummage sale. Saturday, July 14th from 8am-1pm at Woodland Park. |
 | Party in the Park - 08/18/2012 Held in Thomas Centennial Park, Party in the Park is an annual summer celebration for the Duneland communities of Beverly Shores, Burns Harbor, Chesterton, Dune Acres and Porter. |
 | Portage Community and Business Night - 04/19/2012 Come out and meet your local businesses--open to the public. |
 | Summer Outdoor Movies - 06/12/2012 - 07/31/2012 Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy outdoor movies under the stars! |
 | Winter Dazzle - 02/24/2012 - 02/25/2012 Enjoy LIVE Ice Carving and free miniature ice golf in Central Park Plaza. Golf through pre-carved blocks of ice! |
Educational
 | Beginners' Guide to Starting Seeds - 02/25/2012 Learn the basics to starting seeds indoors in your own home! |
 | Bookmarks at the Museum - 02/16/2012 - 11/15/2012 Bookmarks at the Museum takes place on the third Thursday of each month, January-November, at 2 p.m. Westchester Township History Museum, 700 W. Porter Avenue, Chesterton. |
 | Century of Progress Homes Tours - 10/20/2012 Join a National Park Service ranger at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore for a tour of five historic homes from the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. |
 | Go Fly a Kite - 07/28/2012 Come out to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and learn to make kites at the Paul H. Douglas Center. |
 | Junior Ranger Day - 04/21/2012 Junior ranger activities at the park in honor of National Park Week including a special kite flying program at Mt. Baldy. |
 | Leopold Bench Workshop - 03/03/2012 Leopold Bench Workshop at the Indiana Dunes State Park. |
 | Maple Sugar Time - 03/03/2012 - 03/11/2012 Enjoy a sweet taste of spring and learn about the evolution of maple sugaring from American Indian methods to the Chellberg family's sugar shack of the 1930's. |
 | Midwinter Reading Program: Read for the Love of Chocolates - 02/01/2012 - 02/29/2012 No pre-registration required to participate in “Read for the Love of Chocolate,” WPL’s midwinter reading program for adults and young adults. |
 | Perseid Meteor Shower - 08/10/2012 Join fellow sky watchers as they count the meteors from the annual meteor shower. |
 | Perseid Meteor Stargaze - 08/11/2012 Annual meteor shower star gaze from the beach at Indiana Dunes State Park. |
 | Plant Problem Sleuthing - 09/15/2012 Learn to diagnose your plants' problems and where to find more information on what's bugging them. |
 | Resumes/Interviews Worskshops - 02/28/2012 - 02/29/2012 2-day resume workshop offered by Westchester Public Library, February 28 and 29. Registration required. Call 926-7696. |
 | What's New for 2012--Plants and More - 04/21/2012 Find out what's new in annuals, perennials, shrubs and more. |
Environment / Nature
 | 15th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest - 07/14/2012 Annual Sand Sculpture contest for kids of all ages at Indiana Dunes State Park. |
 | Friends of Indiana Dunes Native Plant Sale - 04/14/2012 Friends of Indiana Dunes Native Plant Sale at the Dunes State Park Beach Pavilion. |
 | Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration - 04/21/2012 Learn more about the planet and your impact on it at the annual Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration. |
 | Northwest Territory RC&D Annual Tree Sale - 04/07/2012 Annual tree sale is sponsored by Northwest Territory RC&D. All trees are sold locally grown and accustomed to this area. |
 | Sandhill Crane Field Trip - 11/10/2012 Annual field trip to see 10,000 cranes. Trip leaves from Indiana Dunes State Park. |
 | Singing Sands Star Show - 06/23/2012 Star gazing from the Indiana Dunes State Park Beach Pavilion. |
 | Welcome Back Weekend - 05/05/2012 - 05/06/2012 Welcome back for another recreation season at the Indiana Dunes State Park. |
Ethnic
 | Greek Festival - 06/15/2012 - 06/17/2012 Enjoy food, music, and drinks while sampling a wide array of delicacies. |
Exhibits
 | Fire Departments of Westchester Township Exhibit - 02/18/2012 - 04/29/2012 Celebrate the history of Westchester Township fire departments at the all-new exhibit at Westchester Township History Museum, 700 W. Porter Avenue, Chesteton. February 18-April 29. |
 | Lamb & Pig Sale - 04/07/2012 Porter County lamb & pig sale. |
 | MHA Antiques Show - 03/03/2012 - 03/04/2012 Annual antique exhibition. Come and explore the treasures! |
 | Passport to the Past Antique & Collectible Show - 03/03/2012 - 03/04/2012 Spend the day at this popular antique and collectible show. |
 | Porter County Home & Garden Show - 03/09/2012 - 03/11/2012 Come and explore the possibilities at this popular home and garden exhibition. |
 | Spring Quilt Show - 03/31/2012 - 04/01/2012 String-A-Long Guild presents their 14thbiennial quilt show to be held at Porter County Expo Center. |
 | Tractor Pull - 09/02/2012 Old-fashioned tractor pull. Come out and join the fun! |
 | Valparaiso Kiwanis Hot Air BalloonFest - 09/07/2012 - 09/09/2012 The Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club will conduct our 21st annual Kiwanis Hot Air BalloonFest at the Porter County Fairgrounds. |
 | Watch & Clock Convention - 08/03/2012 - 08/04/2012 Annual convention of watch & clock enthusiasts. |
Fairs
 | 4th Annual Taste of Porter County - 08/25/2012 - 08/26/2012 Delight your taste buds with friends and family, and enjoy creations from food establishments in Porter County and beyond!! |
 | Kouts Porkfest - 08/25/2012 The Kouts Porkfest is an annual arts, crafts, food and entertainment festival. Fun for the whole family! |
 | Portage Perch Fest & Gran Prix - 08/10/2012 - 08/12/2012 A unique event that encompasses many activities over a three day span. |
 | Porter County Fair - 07/19/2012 - 07/29/2012 Our Fair includes free entertainment, food, carnival rides, 4H exhibits, livestock shows and grandstand shows. |
 | Valparaiso Popcorn Festival - 09/08/2012 The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival is located in beautiful downtown Valparaiso. |
 | Wizard of Oz Festival - 09/14/2012 - 09/16/2012 On September 14-16th, 2012, the Duneland Business Initiative Group will host the 31st Wizard of Oz Festival in Downtown Chesterton, Indiana. |
Farmers Markets
 | Central Park Plaza Market - 06/05/2012 - 10/30/2012 Shop local and buy fresh! Unique vendors, handmade products, plants and produce direct from the farm. Tuesdays & Saturdays from 8am - 3pm from June through October! |
 | Chesterton's European Market - 05/05/2012 - 10/27/2012 Chesterton’s European Market provides a strong tradition of quality shopping and live entertainment within a festive community experience. |
Food / Beverage
 | 41st Annual Blueberry Social - 07/11/2012 You are cordially invited for social time of fellowship and yummy blueberries for your tummy. |
 | 9th Annual Summer Benefit - 06/02/2012 9th Annual Summer Benefit supporting the Shirley Heinze Land Trust at Sand Creek Country Club. |
 | Eat Up Wine Down - First Thursdays - 11/03/2011 - 12/06/2012 $5 Food and Drink Specials at Valpo Dining Restaurants the First Thursday of EVERY Month. |
 | Pines Supper Club - 09/15/2012 Pines Village will turn Porter County Expo Center into a supper club as a fund raiser for their emergency shelter for older adults. |
 | Tailgate Chili Challenge - 09/21/2012 Held in the Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce parking lot, the Chili Challenge takes place just prior to the CHS Homecoming Parade. |
 | Taltree Sixth Annual Gala - 06/08/2012 Taltree Arboretum & Gardens hosts its sixth annual fundraising Gala. |
 | Taste of Duneland - 09/01/2012 The 5th annual Taste of Duneland will highlight the many cuisines in the Duneland area. |
 | Taste of Valpo - 05/24/2012 Get ready to taste signature dishes from more than 40 restaurants at this year's Taste of Valpo. |
 | Valparaiso Brewfest - 09/29/2012 Sample over 125 different styles of beers from America’s best craft brewers and vote for your favorite Indiana craft beer as we award the coveted HOOSIER BREW award to the top vote recipient. |
Historical
 | Aukiki River Festival - 08/25/2012 - 08/26/2012 Imagine a time during the 1900's when the Baum's Bridge - along the Kankakee River - was bustling with activity. |
 | Fall Harvest Festival - 09/28/2012 - 09/30/2012 Demonstration of farming in the early 1900’s with steam and gas powered equipment. |
 | History Comes Alive! - 09/08/2012 - 09/09/2012 An entire weekend of history themed programming at Indiana Dunes State Park. |
 | Wolf Mansion Tours - 04/27/2012 - 12/23/2012 Wolf Mansion Victorian Italianate, built in 1875, is listed on the national historic register. |
Holiday
 | "Howl"oween at the Dunes! - 10/27/2012 - 10/28/2012 Special Halloween weekend at the Indiana Dunes State Park. |
 | 9/11 Tribute Concert - 09/11/2012 The Coffee Creek Watershed Conservancy is hosting a free concert on Sept. 11, 2012. |
 | Amhurst Asylum Haunted Attraction - 10/05/2012 - 10/31/2012 Prepare to be frightened in this 23,000 square foot, all-indoor haunted house designed by two people who have a combined 20 years of experience in haunted houses and horror movies. |
 | City of Valparaiso's 4th of July Blast - 07/04/2012 Come on out to celebrate the 4th of July in Valparaiso style! |
 | Fall Harvest Festival - 10/26/2012 Downtown Trick or Treat! Wear your spookiest or silliest costume and go door-to-door in Valparaiso’s downtown to get some tasty treats from our restaurants and retailers. Free Hayrides provided by the Valparaiso Parks Department! |
 | Family 4th Fest - 07/04/2012 Family 4th of July Festival in Hawthorne Park, Porter, Indiana. |
 | Fireworks on the Lakefront - 07/03/2012 A 4th of July celebration! |
 | Haunted Hayride - 10/25/2012 - 10/27/2012 The haunted hayride runs from October 25th through October 27th from 6:30pm-9:30pm at Woodland Park. It is $2 per person, children under 2 are free. |
 | Santa's Holiday Forest - 11/22/2012 - 12/25/2012 A real Christmas tree - a perfect gift for the whole family! |
 | Trick or Treat Chesterton - 10/26/2012 The Second Annual Trick or Treat Chesterton event provides children the opportunity to trick-or-treat with more than 60 participating businesses along Broadway, Calumet and Indian Boundary Road. |
 | Twilight Parade and Duneland Christmas Celebration - 11/23/2012 - 11/24/2012 The Duneland Christmas Celebration begins the Friday after Thanksgiving (November 23rd) and continues through Saturday, November 24th. Festivities start Friday evening at 5:30pm, with the Twilight Christmas Parade. |
Home & Gardens
 | National Public Gardens Day - 05/11/2012 Celebrate Public Gardens at Taltree with special activities and tours. |
 | WRF Nursery Fall Festival - 10/06/2012 - 10/07/2012 Hayrides to the U-Pick Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze. Pumpkin carving contest. Enjoy eating chili cooked in a cauldron over an open fire. |
Performing Arts
 | A Midsummer Night's Dream - 07/14/2012 BE ENCHANTED! Summer is the perfect time for Shakespeare's much-beloved comedy where mischief, mayhem, fairies, lovers, and buffoons collide. |
 | Ballroom Dance Competition - 03/31/2012 Enjoy this popular annual ballroom dance competition. |
 | Brother of All - 05/25/2012 - 06/09/2012 Chicago Street Theatre is thrilled to share resident playwright Jim Henry's (The Angels of Lemons, Backwards in High Heels) latest work with audiences for the first time. |
 | Elvis FANtasy Fest - 10/12/2012 - 10/14/2012 Elvis weekend with tribute artist contest. Live band and concert with winnings ETA’s. Dance, Elvis memorabilia and special guest who knew or worked with Elvis. |
 | Harbor Lights - 05/19/2012 Five seasoned entertainers with unique performance histories came together ten years ago to bring you Harbor Lights. |
 | I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change - 04/13/2012 - 04/22/2012 This celebration of the mating game takes on the truths and myths behind that contemporary conundrum known as “the relationship.” |
 | Lunchtime Cabaret: An Afternoon with Patsy Cline - 10/17/2012 Patsy Cline, the infamous Nashville sound that turned into pop music sensation, is back by popular demand. |
| Lunchtime Cabaret: Stephen Sondheim - 06/06/2012 Stephen Sondheim, a Broadway musical composer and lyricist is always pushing the envelope, redeveloping the ordinary, and stretching the mind of audiences. |
| Lunchtime Cabaret: The Music of Henry Mancini - 08/22/2012 Henry Mancini is one of the world's most awarded and respected composers. |
 | Lunchtime Cabaret: The Music of Rodgers & Hart - 04/25/2012 Classic show tunes by one of the greatest writing teams in American Musical theatre history……. |
 | Lunchtime Cabaret: The Songs of Ella Fitzgerald - 05/16/2012 Enjoy the songs of Ella Fitzgerald. |
| Lunchtime Cabaret: The Women of the Silver Screen - 07/25/2012 Come celebrate the golden age of movie musical magic. Listen and relive those classic moments of the big screen. |
 | Lunchtime: Cabaret: The Grand Ladies of Country - 03/28/2012 Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette; the women who defined the role of female country singers of the 70’s. |
 | Music in the Park - 06/19/2012 - 08/27/2012 Music in the Park Concert Series. Come out to a free concert at Woodland Park starting June 17th and continuing every Tuesday till the end of August. |
 | OKLAHOMA! - 06/01/2012 - 06/10/2012 Rodgers & Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! Music by Richard Rodgers, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein. Audience Requested! |
 | Red Licorice - 02/24/2012 - 03/03/2012 The performance highlights a series of well-written monologues realized by students in which the player interacts with one or more imagined characters. |
 | Salute to the Stars, A Las Vegas Style Revue - 03/17/2012 Salute to the Stars features Jim Bulanda & Harley Hehr performing their musical and comedy salute to the stars Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jimmy Durante, Tony Bennett, Frankie Valli, Jerry Lewis and many more. |
 | SHOUT! The Mod Musical - 09/28/2012 - 10/07/2012 From cover-to-cover SHOUT! Travels in time from 1960 to 1970 chronicling the dawning liberation of women. |
| Songs of Bing Crosby - 11/14/2012 Bing Crosby was one of the best selling recording selling artists of the 20th century. Come and enjoy his many songs! |
 | Southlake Children's Choir Concert - 04/27/2012 Southlake Children's Choir promises to provide a premier choral experience for children and audiences throughout Northwest Indiana. |
 | Summer Bandstand Concert and Family Film Series - 06/08/2012 - 08/10/2012 An old-fashion concert series featuring a variety of traditional music, followed by a movie suitable for family viewing. |
 | The Big Pumpkin Spooktacular! - 10/26/2012 Memorial Opera House brings you the Pumpkin Players, a new acting troupe bringing you laughter, spook tales, and endless Halloween fun! |
 | The Cherry Orchard - 04/13/2012 - 04/28/2012 Chekhov's classic drama of a family facing the devastating reality of changing social, political, and economic times. |
 | The Music of Frank Loesser - 09/19/2012 You may or may not have heard of this man, but you have most definitely heard of his music! Loesser will leave you wanting more! |
 | Thoroughly Modern Millie - 08/03/2012 - 08/12/2012 Thoroughly Modern Millie is a high-spirited musical romp that has all of New York dancing the Charleston. |
 | Valparaiso University Jazz Fest - 04/09/2012 - 04/14/2012 Valparaiso University Jazz Festival is the Midwest's largest non-competitive jazz event. |
 | Windiana - 02/23/2012 Live music at Memorial Opera House. |
Religious
 | Institute of Liturgical Studies - 05/02/2012 - 05/04/2012 Theology, music, and praxis related to worship. |
Sporting Events Participant
 | Blazers Softball Bowling Fundraiser Tournament - 03/04/2012 The Blazers Softball team of Chesterton will be hosting a no tap bowling tournament at Westchester Lanes to benefit their traveling softball team for the 2012 season. |
 | Kayaking at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk - 05/05/2012 Join a ranger for a paddle in the Little Calumet River and see what the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore has to offer by water. |
 | Lorie's Lakeside Century - 09/15/2012 15, 28, 38, 62 or 100 mile bike ride on beautiful Lake Michigan, that benefits the programs and services of the VNA of Porter County. |
 | Popcorn Panic Run/Walk - 09/08/2012 The Popcorn Panic is a 5 mile run or 5 mile walk that is running for the 34th year. Held in conjunction with the Popcorn Festival. |
Swap Meets
 | R-Rides Swap Meet - 03/03/2012 Annual popular auto swap meet. This meet sells out! Don't miss it. |
 | Valpo Fest - 05/27/2012 Huge Motorcycle Show, Swap Meet, Live Music, Door Prizes, Trophies, Dash Plaques, Giant Food-Fest, and Beer Garden! |
Photographs Copyright: Craig Berg, Darcy Giesseman, Jeff Greenberg
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