Enjoy the Independence Day holiday in Northwest Indiana
June 30, 2012 6:14PM
Sparkles (right) of Cody's Clowns of Gary gives Hailey Burnett, 8, of Gary stickers during the 2011 Fourth of July parade in Gary. | Jim Karczewski~For Sun-Times Media
Article Extras
Updated: July 3, 2012 1:34PM
If an Independence Day celebration means festivals, fireworks and parades to you, Northwest Indiana has plenty of options.
EVENTS
Cedar Lake: Summerfest, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday, July 4; 5-10:30 p.m. Thursday, July 5; 2-11:30 p.m. Friday, July 6; 7 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Saturday, July 7; 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday, July 8, at 7408 Constitution Ave., Cedar Lake; fireworks at nightfall, July 5 and 8; beer garden, games, boat parade, car show, www.cedarlakesummerfest.com
Chesterton/Porter: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, Hawthorne Park, 500 Ackerman Drive, Porter; Lions Club pancake breakfast, 7 a.m., $5; parade at 9 a.m.; turtle derby at 11 a.m., registration at 10 a.m.; free games 1-3 p.m., toddler rides, live music 7-11 p.m.; beer garden and food booths 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., 926-6283, www.dunebig.com
East Chicago: doors open at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, East Chicago Marina Boardwalk, music 7-11 p.m., food; fireworks at dusk; no coolers allowed on the Boardwalk.
Hammond: Golden Tones kick off the celebration at 5:30 p.m., followed at 6 p.m. by the Naturalization Ceremony, Wolf Lake. Bill Porter Orchestra performs from 7 to 10 p.m. followed by the fireworks. Admission is free. The Atlantis Dream Mission mobile space shuttle exhibit will be available for $3 walkthrough or launch simulation for $5, 937-7942.
Highland: Six-day festival Friday, June 29, through Wednesday, July 4; food , arts and crafts, carnival rides, two parades; all events take place at Main Square Park, 3001 Ridge Road; 972-1946.
Hobart: Festival Park is the location of multiple activities Sunday, July 1. Baby Olympics, registration at 12:30 p.m., events at 1 p.m. Flower Show, with adult and children contests; registration at 1 p.m., judging at 1:30 p.m., awards at 2 p.m. Pet Parade, registration at 2 p.m., parade at 2:30 p.m.
LaPorte: 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, arts and crafts, LaPorte County Fairgrounds, 2581 W. Indiana 2, LaPorte, www.laportejaycees.org.
Merrillville: 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, Hidden Lake Park, 6355 Broadway; no walk-ins, no drop offs, vehicles only . Call 769-2111.
Munster: 6 p.m. gates open, Tuesday, July 3, Munster Centennial Park; musical at 7:30 p.m.; food and alcohol available for purchase, $5 cover for the beer garden.
Portage: Food vendors and live entertainment, 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, Willowcreek Middle School Trumble Field, 5962 Central Ave. and music by Clutch Cargo.
Westville: American Veterans Traveling Tribute at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, through 11 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 24 hours a day, Purdue University North Central, 1401 U.S. 421. 785-5200, Ext. 5274
FIREWORKS
Cedar Lake: July 6 and 7 during Summerfest, 7408 Constitution Ave., Cedar Lake, www.cedarlakesummerfest.com
Chesterton: July 3, over Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes State Park.
Crown Point: July 4 at the Lake County Fairgrounds, vehicles may enter through the Greenwood/Court Street gate or the Court Street/Buck Hill Road gate.
East Chicago: July 3, East Chicago Marina Boardwalk.
Hammond: July 4, the Bill Porter Orchestra performs from 7 to 10 p.m. followed by the fireworks. Admission is free. 937-7942.
Hebron: July 3, Hebron School grounds, 509 S. Main St., 996-5678, www.hebronchamber.org.
Highland: July 4, Homestead Park, Kennedy Avenue. Call 972-1946.
Hobart: July 4, at Festival Park, 111 E. Old Ridge Road, 942-5774, www.hobartchamber.com.
Lake Station: July 4, Riverview Park, 2701 Ripley St., 962-1987, 962-2081.
Lakes of the Four Seasons: July 4, near clubhouse, 988-2581.
LaPorte: July 4, LaPorte County Fairgrounds, 2581 W. Indiana 2, www.laportejaycees.org.
Merrillville: July 3 Hidden Lake Park, 6355 Broadway, after 6 p.m., gate fees $5 per car or minivan, $10 per large van, $15 RV camper and $25 per bus, call 769-2111.
Munster: July 3, Munster Centennial Park, 900 N. Centennial Drive.
Portage: July 4, Willowcreek Middle School, 5962 Central Ave.
Schererville: July 3, Rohrman Park, 6750 Rohrman Road.
Valparaiso: July 4, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 1600 Roosevelt Road.
Whiting: July 3, Whiting Lakefront Park.
PARADES
Crown Point: 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, begins at Taft Junior High School and travels north on Main Street to the Army tank, staging begins at 12:15 p.m.
Gary: 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, north on Broadway from 21st Avenue to 6th Avenue and Connecticut Street (Buffington Park); reviewing stand near the Mid-Town Plaza at 13th Avenue and Broadway, call 881-1314 or email LBrooks@ci.gary.in.us.
Griffith: 10 a.m. parade, Wednesday, July 4, beginning at Pine and Broad streets, proceeding south to Main Street, 922-8612.
Hammond: 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, Wolf Lake pavilion; naturalization ceremony, 7:30 p.m. Bill Porter Orchestra; fireworks follow; food vendors available.
Hebron: 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, begins at Hebron High School, 509 S. Main St., to County Square Plaza, followed by turtle derby at First Source Bank, 996-5678, www.hebronchamber.org.
Highland Kiddie Parade: 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, July 4; all participating children get a gift, a drink and other surprises.
Highland Twilight Parade: 6 p.m. (approx.) Tuesday, July 3, starting at Kennedy Avenue and 45th Street, north to Highway Avenue, east to Delaware Avenue. Call 972-1946.
Hobart: 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, begins at Mundell Field, Wisconsin Street, 942-5774, www.hobartchamber.com.
Lake Station: 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, lineup at 4 p.m. at Clay Street and Liverpool Road; call Bob Jonaitis at 962-1700 or Bill Eaton at 962-1987.
Lakes of the Four Seasons: noon, Wednesday, July 4, begins at South Lakeshore Drive, 988-2581.
LaPorte: 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, Lincolnway, downtown LaPorte, www.laportejaycees.org.
Merrillville: 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, lineup at 4:30 p.m. at Geisen Funeral Home; north on Broadway to Chase Bank entrance.
Munster: 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, starts at Fisher/Calumet and proceeds north on Calumet Avenue to Ridge Road then east to the reviewing stand and ends at Munster Town Hall.
Portage: 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, travels south on Willowcreek Road from Central Avenue to Lute Road.
Porter/Chesterton: 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, Hawthorne Park, 500 Ackerman Drive, Porter, 926-6283 www.dunebig.com
Valparaiso: 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, parade begins at Saylor Elementary School, west on Midway, crossing McCool to American Legion Post 502, 429 W. County Road 750N South Haven, 759-2121.
Whiting: 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, from 116th Street and Indianapolis Boulevard to 119th Street, then to Whiting’s Lakefront Park.
Editor’s note: If we have missed your event, please contact Valerie Johnson at vjohnson@post-trib.com or by fax at 648-3249 and we will include it when we next update the list.
