10 Fun Things To Do This Weekend in Northwest Indiana: Spirit Run, Bowl-A-Thon, and Chili Cook-Off


Each week we will be bringing you 10 fun things to do in Northwest Indiana over the weekend, so you are never without something to do! This weekend a spring run, a wild game dinner buffet, bowl-a-thon, fundraisers, pancake breakfast, fire department ball, chili cook-off, and more are all on tap for a fun weekend in Northwest Indiana!

{valpo}A Brisk Early Spring Run {/valpo}{portage}A Brisk Early Spring Run {/portage}{laporte}A Brisk Early Spring Run {/laporte}
After a move to May for last year, the St. Paul Catholic School 5K Spirit Run/Walk has been moved back to March 9th. Many runners and walkers will be making the trek across Harrison Boulevard to tackle the hills of Oakwood and Manchester Meadows. Awards will be given to overall and masters division male and female winners. The top three winners in each age/gender category will also receive awards.

Don Quijote to Host the 27th Annual Wild Game Dinner Buffet
Your chance to eat some unusual game is coming! Don Quijote will host their Wild Game Buffet on Sunday, March 10. The dinner will feature a buffet of Buffalo, Venison, Black Bear, Rabbit, Wild Boar, African Lion, Elk, Antelope, Duck, Pheasant, Quail, Alligator, Squid, Octopus, Crab Legs, Salmon, Shrimp, Catfish, Frog Legs, Lake Perch, Rocky Mountain Oysters, and more!

Come Roll With the YMCA
For 24 years, the Portage Township YMCA has kicked off their annual support campaign with a Bowl-a-Thon event held at Camelot Lanes. This year’s theme is “We Build People”. This year’s event will take place on March 10 from noon-3:00 p.m. A team of 5 can participate for a small fee. The fee will include 3 games of bowling, shoes and a tee-shirt plus that satisfaction of knowing that they could help provide a child to go to preschool for one month.

{valpo}Sandy Hook Fundraiser to be Held at Sand Creek Country Club {/valpo}{portage}Sandy Hook Fundraiser to be Held at Sand Creek Country Club {/portage}{laporte}Sandy Hook Fundraiser to be Held at Sand Creek Country Club {/laporte}
The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary was a time we will never forget. So lets do all we can to help those who were close to the victims of that horrible day Come and be a part of a good cause at Sand Creek Country Club on March 8, 2013. At 6pm that evening a fundraiser will be held and all proceeds will go to organizations that support the families of Sandy Hook Elementary and aid their healing process.

Kiwanis Hosting 2013 Pancakes Day
The Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club will again host their Annual Pancakes Day on March 9, 2013, at the Valparaiso High School Cafeteria, from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm. The breakfast features all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausages, and beverages! The breakfast also features a kid's play area, entertainment, face painting, cotton candy, a magician, and the best pancakes in Valpo!

South Haven Volunteer Fire Department Hosts 9th Annual Ball
The South Haven Volunteer Fire Department is proud to present the 9th Annual Firefighter’s Ball on Saturday, March 9th. Festivities include cocktail hour, dinner, silent auction, awards ceremony and dancing. A favorite ball activity is bidding on the amazing Silent Auction items at the ball. Monies raised help to support the department purchase needed rescue equipment and supplies.

{valpo}11th Annual Chili Cook-Off {/valpo}{portage}11th Annual Chili Cook-Off {/portage}{laporte}11th Annual Chili Cook-Off {/laporte}
The Merrillvile HS Key Club and Lupus Foundation of America will host their annual chili cook-off on Saturday, March 9th. Tickets are $5 to sample the 20 contestants chili recipes. Also on tap are our panel of celebrity judges led by Phil Potempa of the Times, appearances by Rusty the Railcat and Chick-Fil-A cow, face painting, a clown, DJ, concessions, bake sale, and an auction.

Paws for a Cause
It's time again for Vale Park Animal Hospital's fundraising pet nail trims! The money raised from the nail trims benefits the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life! The cost is $7 for a trim or $10 for dremmel. No appointment is necessary!

Knights of Columbus Bean Bag Fundraiser
The Knights of Columbus council 9114 of Portage will be hosting a bean bag game on March 9th. It will be held indoors at the Nativity of Our Savior school hall.

33rd Annual Girl Scout Event March 10
The Girl Scouts of Valparaiso and Washington Township will be hosting its 33rd annual Scouting-Girl Style on Sunday, March 10. Daisy, Brownie, Junior, and Cadette troops will be offering hands-on activities and games for boys and girls to participate in. Some of the featured booths include making straw rockets, designing a futuristic Girl Scout uniform, predicting what will happen in the next century, personalizing your own “moon rock,” and helping endangered animal populations increase.

More events can be found on our {valpo}event calendar! {/valpo}{portage}event calendar! {/portage}{laporte}event calendar! {/laporte} Want to submit your own event? {valpo}Click here {/valpo}{portage}Click here {/portage}{laporte}Click here {/laporte} to do so or send us an email at share@{valpo}valpolife{/valpo}{portage}portagelife{/portage}{laporte}laportecountylife{/laporte}.com.