10 Fun Things To Do This Weekend in Northwest Indiana: Women’s Expo, St. Patty’s Day Celebration, Adoption Event, and Pack-a-thon

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!

2011 Indiana Women's Expo
The Expo features a variety of vendors from the health, beauty, food and home decor industries. Over 150 vendors will be on-site selling, sampling and demonstrating thousands of products and services. This event creates a fun filled venue of shopping with a special emphasis on education and information. Engaging seminars highlighting categories like: women’s health issues—including cosmetic procedures and overcoming infertility—will run in tandem with others like holistic and alternative wellness programs, and exercise tips.

Halfway to St. Patty's Day!
Raise a pint! Shake your Shamrocks! And, why not do it now?! T.J. Maloney’s Authentic Irish Pub – home to Merrillville’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – considers a year too long to wait to celebrate. So, in honor of being “Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day,” we’re hosting three days of green-laden festivities, including a private Bushmills Irish Whiskey tasting event, a variety of live entertainment, souvenirs and drink specials galore. We'll also be celebrating the sale of over 2 million Guinness pints since we opened!

Lakeshore PAWS Adoption Events
An adoption event will be held Saturday, September 17, from noon to 3 pm at Ringo's Golf Center. Visit www.facebook.com/LakeshorePaws to view photos and find information on all of the dogs and cats available for adoption. For more information on Lakeshore PAWS, call 219.476.PAWS (7297) or 855.535.PAWS (7297).

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Northwest Indiana Light The Night Walk
We are "Taking Steps To Cure Cancer" and we want YOU to join us! The event is FREE to attend and includes food, music, entertainment and a light up balloon for everyone in attendance. For those walkers who raise $100 or more, you'll also receive a FREE t-shirt.

Duneland Heritage Days Festival
Explore and celebrate our shared heritage at the Duneland Heritage Days Festival on September 17 and 18, 2011 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Located at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s historic Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm. This free event features authentic music, dance, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and traditional foods for the whole family.

OE Pack-a-thon
800 volunteers are needed to pack over 45,000 runner bags for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Scout troops, corporate teams, youth groups, sports teams, school clubs and organizations, or groups of friends and family are all welcome to participate. Individual volunteers are also welcome. The day will include music, lunch, and lots of high energy fun.

Community Family Fun Day
Join the fun at Inland Manor Baptist Church for their free Community Family Fun Day on Saturday, September 17, 2011, from 11 am to 2 pm. There will be a Dino Jump, horses, games, face painting, cotton candy, hot dogs, prizes and more!

Martini Blues: Valpo's Very Own Head Honchos' In Concert
Valparaiso's own Native Sons, Head Honchos', perform in Concert at Martinis Restaurant. In less than two years together as a working band, Head Honchos' have garnered reviews for their self-titled debut release in publications both far (Blues Matters and Metalliville in the U.K.) and near (Blues Source; Vintage Guitar; Chicago Examiner; Bluesrockers; Barrelhouse Blues; Southland Blues; American Blues Blog; more).

Pancake Breakfast
Pancake Breakfast to benefit Gabriel's Horn Women's Shelter. $5 for tickets. Contact the office at 219.364.0818 to get tickets.

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s
The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Northwest Indiana residents to unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Hidden Lake Park will be the site of the Walk on Sunday, September 18, 2011. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is an all-ages, all-abilities Walk of about one mile around beautiful Hidden Lake Park. The Walk is on a paved path, which is stroller and wheelchair friendly.

More events can be found on our event calendar! Want to submit your own event? Click here to do so or send us an email at contribute@valpolife.com!