10 Fun Things to Do this Weekend in Northwest Indiana: A Labor Day Weekend Full of Fun!

10-Fun-Things-8.28-14

Each weekend we bring you 10 Fun Things to Do in Northwest Indiana so you are never without something to do! This Labor Day Weekend looks like a great one to get out, enjoy what's left of summer, and have some fun in any of the region's great events taking place!

MJ Tribute Festival of the Arts – August 28 - 30 
The Jackson family, in partnership with the City of Gary, is hosting a three-day festival to honor the life and legacy of Michael Jackson. Enjoy live entertainment, a car show, a petting zoo, a carnival and more during the Michael Jackson "King of Pop" Tribute Festival of the Arts. Artists, Vendors, Sponsors and Volunteers’ information: (312) 479-3575, (312) 479-3568 or (213) 810-9886, email: info@kesnetwork.com

Lowell Labor Day Festival 
Be sure to head out to the Lowell Labor Day Festival! The festival promises to be a great time for all ages all weekend long! Food vendors, artisans, merchandise vendors, and more. There will be a 5K, battle of the bands contest and garage sale participants, too!

Coffee and Canvas 
Friday, August 29 from 6-9 p.m. at the Community Center in Hawthorne Park. This fun guided class works through a painting project targeted at all skill levels while enjoying some gourmet coffee and treats as you work! At the end of the class all participants get to take home their finished project to show off. The cost to participate is $25, which includes all supplies and three hours of instruction from an experienced instructor.

Martin Binder Jeweler’s Mystery Box Raffles to Raise Money for the Family House, Inc. 
The Family House will be hosting a charity barbecue from 7 to 10 pm on August 29th in Central Park Plaza located downtown Valparaiso. The event, which raises money for The Family House, involves the participation of various local businesses. Continuing their giving tradition, Martin Binder Jeweler will be donating a diamond pendant and a surprise jewelry item.

J Anthony Brown Comedy Showcase at Majestic Star Casino
J Anthony Brown Comedy Showcase is set for Friday, August 29 & Saturday, August 30 Showtime: 8:00PM & 10:00PM at Majestic Star II, Level 3. Come see the hilarious J. Anthony Brown as he puts on his comedy showcase with friend Vanessa Fraction! Buy your tickets today!

Chicago Street Theatre has Big Weekend Plans for the End of August 2014 
Chicago Street Theatre has a lot going on to kick off their 60th Anniversary Season this weekend and wants the community ti "Be There!' On Friday, August 29 the group will be presenting a new adaptation of a fairy tale favorite- Beauty and the Beast by Nicholas Stuart Gray. Chicago Street Theatre will also be hosting a popular "grown-up" event this Sunday to kick off their anniversary season. At 6 PM on August 31 the theatre will present the CST Season 60 Preview Party.

Rock 'n Rail 5K in Griffith 
The Rock 'n Rail 5K will take place in Griffith on August 30. Start time for the third annual 5K Run/Walk will be at noon at the Griffith Family YMCA. Some of the area's best live bands will perform immediately following the race. Great food vendors and children activities will be available in addition to a free beer in the beer garden following the race to those 21 and older.

Ogden Dunes Stories Project Open Labor Day Weekend 
The Ogden Dunes Stories Project will have an open house this Labor Day weekend! The Stories Project is a series of collaborative oral history projects preserving and sharing the stories of Porter County to connect residents past and present to one another, reinvesting the place our lives are lived with meaning.

Recovery ROCKS! 2014 ​Celebration is August 30 at La Porte County Fairgrounds 
Our Recovery ROCKS! Event last year brought over 400 people, some 70-80 teenage participants. This year we'll have a morning Motorcycle Trivia Ride; FAMILY FUN Celebration, Drug Awareness Presentation with Major John Boyd, PATH - A Positive Approach to Teen Health presenting a teen talk program for parents, Moving Away from Addiction with Thomas “Fuji” Stockstill, Our Ladies sharing their TESTIMONIES, food, games for kids and teens, music, Recovery Resources, a DUNK TANK with our State Representatives, local Law Enforcement Officers, a BMX BIKE SHOW with John Beutner from 4-6pm and much more.

I Scream for 13.1 & 5k 
Everyone loves ice cream! Come participate on a flat and fast half-marathon, 5k, or kids’ 1k, and receive an ice cream cone at the finish line! The 13.1 mile course is spent mostly on the paved Prairie-Duneland and Iron Horse bike trails with some surface roads. Almost half of the race will be shaded to help keep runners cool, as well as an early start. It is very flat and fast, time to set your personal best, and earn your finisher’s medal! The 5k course is on both the Prairie-Duneland and Iron Horse trails while crossing scenic bridges over Salt Creek. Both courses are very flat and very fast!