Upcoming Events in Porter County
Animal
 | 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. |
 | Summer Fling Horse Show - 06/01/2012 - 06/03/2012 Everything for the horse enthusiast. |
 | Berrien Kennel Club - 06/24/2012 Berrien Kennel Club exhibit. |
 | Bark in the Park - 07/14/2012 Enjoy a dog-friendly day in the park! |
 | 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. |
Arts and Crafts
 | Hebron Elementary Arts & Crafts Fair - 10/13/2012 32nd Annual Hebron Elementary Arts & Crafts Fair features over 125 booth spaces at an indoor show. |
 | 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. |
 | Holidaze Arts & Crafts Show - 11/17/2012 - 11/18/2012 Big craft show with all types of media, food and 160 crafters. |
Art Exhibits
 | 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. |
 | 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! |
 | 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
 | Portage Community and Business Night - 04/19/2012 Come out and meet your local businesses--open to the public. |
 | Friends of the Library Book Sale - 04/20/2012 - 04/22/2012 The Friends of Westchester Public Library holds two book sales each year. |
 | 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. |
 | Summer Outdoor Movies - 06/12/2012 - 08/14/2012 Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy outdoor movies under the stars! |
 | 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. |
 | Hebron Block Party - 10/06/2012 Enjoy this Hebron community event. |
Educational
 | Beginners' Guide to Starting Seeds - 02/25/2012 Learn the basics to starting seeds indoors in your own home! |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | What's New for 2012--Plants and More - 04/21/2012 Find out what's new in annuals, perennials, shrubs and more. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
Environment / Nature
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | Welcome Back Weekend - 05/05/2012 - 05/06/2012 Welcome back for another recreation season at the Indiana Dunes State Park. |
 | Singing Sands Star Show - 06/23/2012 Star gazing from the Indiana Dunes State Park Beach Pavilion. |
 | 15th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest - 07/14/2012 Annual Sand Sculpture contest for kids of all ages at Indiana Dunes State Park. |
 | Sandhill Crane Field Trip - 11/10/2012 Annual field trip to see 10,000 cranes. Trip leaves from 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
 | Gun Show - 02/18/2012 - 02/19/2012 Gun show and exhibition. |
 | Passport to the Past Antique & Collectible Show - 03/03/2012 - 03/04/2012 Spend the day at this popular antique and collectible show. |
 | MHA Antiques Show - 03/03/2012 - 03/04/2012 Annual antique exhibition. Come and explore the treasures! |
 | 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 The show will have over 250 new and antique quilts and quilted items along with a special display of antique quilts and coverlets of the Porter County Museum. |
 | Lamb & Pig Sale - 04/07/2012 Porter County lamb & pig sale. |
 | Watch & Clock Convention - 08/03/2012 - 08/04/2012 Annual convention of watch & clock enthusiasts. |
 | 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. |
Fairs
 | Porter County Fair - 07/19/2012 - 07/29/2012 Our Fair includes free entertainment, food, carnival rides, 4H exhibits, livestock shows and grandstand shows. |
 | Portage Perch Fest & Gran Prix - 08/10/2012 - 08/12/2012 A unique event that encompasses many activities over a three day span. |
 | 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! |
 | 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
 | 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. |
 | 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! |
Food / Beverage
 | Taste of Valpo - 05/24/2012 Get ready to taste signature dishes from more than 40 restaurants at this year's Taste of Valpo. |
 | 9th Annual Summer Benefit - 06/02/2012 9th Annual Summer Benefit supporting the Shirley Heinze Land Trust at Sand Creek Country Club. |
 | Taltree Sixth Annual Gala - 06/08/2012 Taltree Arboretum & Gardens hosts its sixth annual fundraising Gala. |
 | 41st Annual Blueberry Social - 07/11/2012 You are cordially invited for social time of fellowship and yummy blueberries for your tummy. |
 | Taste of Duneland - 09/01/2012 The 5th annual Taste of Duneland will highlight the many cuisines in the Duneland area. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
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. |
 | History Comes Alive! - 09/08/2012 - 09/09/2012 An entire weekend of history themed programming at Indiana Dunes State Park. |
 | Fall Harvest Festival - 09/28/2012 - 09/30/2012 Demonstration of farming in the early 1900’s with steam and gas powered equipment. |
Holiday
 | Fireworks on the Lakefront - 07/03/2012 A 4th of July celebration! |
 | Family 4th Fest - 07/04/2012 Family 4th of July Festival in Hawthorne Park, Porter, Indiana. |
 | City of Valparaiso's 4th of July Blast - 07/04/2012 Come on out to celebrate the 4th of July in Valparaiso style! |
 | 9/11 Tribute Concert - 09/11/2012 The Coffee Creek Watershed Conservancy is hosting a free concert on Sept. 11, 2012. |
 | 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. |
 | 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! |
 | 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. |
 | "Howl"oween at the Dunes! - 10/27/2012 - 10/28/2012 Special Halloween weekend at the Indiana Dunes State Park. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | Santa's Holiday Forest - 11/22/2012 - 12/25/2012 A real Christmas tree - a perfect gift for the whole family! |
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
 | OLIVER! - 02/10/2012 - 02/19/2012 Nothing works on stage like a well-crafted tale & OLIVER! is just such a show. |
 | The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? - 01/27/2012 - 02/11/2012 A bold play that details a middle-aged architect's scandalous confession to his wife that will with certainty end his marriage and his career. |
 | Valparaiso University Symphony Orchestra - 02/18/2012 Enjoy a concert performance by Valparaiso Universities award winning symphony orchestra. |
 | Windiana - 02/23/2012 Live music at Memorial Opera House. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | Ballroom Dance Competition - 03/31/2012 Enjoy this popular annual ballroom dance competition. |
 | Valparaiso University Jazz Fest - 04/09/2012 - 04/14/2012 Valparaiso University Jazz Festival is the Midwest's largest non-competitive jazz event. |
 | 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: The Music of Rodgers & Hart - 04/25/2012 Classic show tunes by one of the greatest writing teams in American Musical theatre history……. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | Lunchtime Cabaret: The Songs of Ella Fitzgerald - 05/16/2012 Enjoy the songs of Ella Fitzgerald. |
 | Harbor Lights - 05/19/2012 Five seasoned entertainers with unique performance histories came together ten years ago to bring you Harbor Lights. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | OKLAHOMA! - 06/01/2012 - 06/10/2012 Rodgers & Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! Music by Richard Rodgers, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein. Audience Requested! |
 | 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. |
| 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. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
| Lunchtime Cabaret: The Music of Henry Mancini - 08/22/2012 Henry Mancini is one of the world's most awarded and respected composers. |
 | 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! |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
| 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. |
 | 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! |
| 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! |
Religious
 | Institute of Liturgical Studies - 05/02/2012 - 05/04/2012 Theology, music, and praxis related to worship. |
Sporting Events Participant
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
Sporting Events Spectator
 | Hoosier Fight Club - 02/11/2012 Come and see the Fight Club exhibition! |
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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