Beach days and major gatherings in Northwest Indiana are ramping back up as the warmer seasons continue to get closer. The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority (CVA) provides travelers with an opportunity to learn more about what’s taking place in Lake County during its most active time of the year.
Heather Becerra, South Shore CVA chief marketing officer, works diligently with her team to showcase the best events in the area that the Region has to offer.
“We're just trying to promote a great getaway at a short distance,” Becerra said. “We have restaurants, attractions, and other amenities that are affordable and enjoyable for the people who come to the area.”
The Museum at Lassen’s Resort will have its season opener on May 2. Located in Cedar Lake, this event will feature a ribbon cutting for the new Summer at Cedar Lake exhibit room, the presentation of the 2025 Beatrice Horner Cultural Award, and delicious hors d'oeuvres for everyone in attendance. Admission is free but RSVP is required.
The Gary SouthShore Railcats kick off its season against the Milwaukee Milkmen on May 9. They play three times on the road before coming home to host the Cleburne Railroaders in their home debut on May 13.
On May 18, the community is invited to a free program to experience vintage baseball at Grinder’s Home Opener. Lake County residents can get an experience that’s simply splashtastic starting on May 24, as Deep River Waterpark will open back up for the summer season.
Every summer, many residents of Northwest Indiana are looking forward to spending days at the Indiana Dunes National Park. Some use this as a prime destination for working out, while others spend time along the shoreline at the beach.
While the Dunes are one of the premier local beaches, Becerra spotlights additional local beaches that people can visit that are generally less busy.
“Our biggest draw is the Indiana Dunes National Park,” Becerra said. “However, it can get full at times during the summer. When the national parks get busy, the South Shore of Lake Michigan offers plenty of other beaches to explore. This includes Marquette Park Beach, Wells Street Beach, Lake Street Beach, Jeorse Park Beach, and Whihala Beach.”
The WhoaZone at Whihala Beach opens on June 7. Four days later, the Museum at Lassen’s Resort is hosting streamboat rides in Cedar Lake.
Another beach in Northwest Indiana within the Indiana Dunes National Park is Miller Beach. Local residents can come here to explore trails that act as a prime destination for biking and hiking. The location offers several shops and restaurants, including specials during the Gary Air Show Weekend near the end of the summer season.
Summer is not only the most popular time for beach days but also festivals in Northwest Indiana. Several cities within the Region and local to the South Shore CVA are planning summer festivals this year.
The Crossroads Chamber Corn Roast, hosted in the City of Crown Point, will take place on May 30-31 at Bulldog Park. The Hobart Lakefront Festival is coming to Festival Park on June 5-8.
Cedar Lake Summerfest runs from July 3-6 at 7408 Constitution Ave. Each festival will provide plenty of unique foods and festivities, such as cardboard boat races and live music.
Festival of the Lakes, one of Hammond’s biggest summer celebrations, takes place on July 16-20 on Wolf Lake, George Lake and Lake Michigan. The festival includes musical acts, fishing derby and a polka party.
One of the most popular festival traditions in Northwest Indiana is the Pierogi Fest. The event provides residents with the opportunity to celebrate their heritage and enjoy pierogies, as well as different food from a variety of vendors. Other special events include the Mr. Pierogi Songfest, the Pierogi Toss and the Pierogi Eating contest.
There’s plenty of activities to keep the community occupied with excitement as summer approaches in Northwest Indiana. While this is the busiest time of year for the South Shore CVA, the countless special events make it the best time to spend in Lake County.
“Summer is definitely our busy time, and we have a lot of seasonal attractions,” Becerra said. “People are always excited when Deep River Waterpark opens back up on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. There’s going to be a lot of steamboat rides in Cedar Lake, and the Gary SouthShore Railcats have their home opener on May 13. We always have so much going on that makes us a great destination year round, but summer is definitely our best time of the year. It’s less crowded than a lot of other places you could go in the summer, but there’s still enough going on to create a good time for everyone.”
The South Shore CVA has announced a few key dates in August for major events in Lake County. Fusic Fest will take place from August 1-3 at Jeorse Park in East Chicago. The Lake County Fair will be held this year from August 1-10.The Gary Air Show Weekend will run from August 9-10, featuring aerial acts at Marquette Park.
For more information on the South Shore CVA, you can visit its website.