Portage 4th of July Festival to feature parade, music, fireworks
The City of Portage will kick off its 4th of July Festival, with a parade at 10 a.m. The parade route will begin at the Portage Mall, before heading west on Central Avenue, then south on Willowcreek Road, and ending at Sunrise Avenue.
The city’s fireworks display will begin at dusk at 6300 Founders Square.
The festival begins at 5 pm. Entertainment will include musical acts Ricky Lindy and the Wild Ones, and there will be food trucks from Tocayos, Coco Cabanas, Daportable Rican, Maggie’s Sweet Treats, The Big Wiener, Bub’s Bowls, Bub’s Spuds, Kona Ice, and Dori’s Food Stuff.
A donut eating contest, sponsored by Family Express, will be part of the evening’s fun.
The Aftermath headlines Hobart July 4th festivities
The City of Hobart will hold its July 4th parade at 10 a.m. Thursday. The route will start at Highland Middle School, located at 36 E 8th St., before heading east on 8th Street to Lincoln Street, then heading north on Main Street, then west on 3rd Street and ending at Washington Street. Attendees are reminded that there is no parking on the new 3rd St median or vehicles will be towed.
Musical act The Aftermath will kick off the festivities at 6 p.m. at Festival Park, located at 111 E. Old Ridge Road, and a city fireworks display will start around dusk.
Valpo Police invite the community to National Night Out
The Valparaiso Police Department invites the community to participate with them in National Night Out beginning at 6 p.m. Aug. 6. An annual nationwide event, National Night Out brings police and residents together to exchange ideas, develop a partnership and build safer communities. Residents and neighborhood groups are encourage to organize events and activities for the celebration. Activities in past years have included games, ice cream socials, cookouts and small block parties. Valparaiso Police Officers and civilian staff will be visiting neighborhoods throughout the city to show their support of the citizens. Members of the department will include K9, Bike Patrol, support staff, Patrol Division, and Investigations. To participate this year’s event, contact Captain Joe Hall at 219-462-2135 or at jhall@valpopd.com. Registration deadline is 4 p.m. July 17.
Special summer programs at Gary Public Library
The Gary Public Library will host special Summer Reading Program events this month at the Main Library, 220 W. Fifth Ave. Recycled Games, presented by the Lake County Solid Waste Management District Enviromobile, will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday. Participants will play a variety of carnival games created using repurposed materials. A Water Safety program, hosted by the Miller Beach Water Safety Social Group, will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Monday with stories, safety information and a life-jacket fitting. A special presentation by Save the Dunes will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. July 17 featuring stories, a slide-show and fun activities. The annual Summer Reading Program, “Adventure Begins at Your Library,” will continue at all units of the Gary Public Library through July 20 for students in pre-school through 12th grade. Complete rules and sign-up are available at all branches or on the library’s website, www.garypubliclibrary.org.
Creekside Classic offers golf for kids and adults
The Valpo Parks Foundation will host the annual Creekside Classic July 18 at Creekside Golf Course and Training Center, 2355 Clifford Road, Valparaiso. A unique golf outing, this event is designed to give kids a chance to play alongside adults in a real shotgun start, best ball format. The Creekside Classic will offer two flight options to ensure faster play for all participants. A morning flight will begin with check in at 7:30 a.m., a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m., and lunch and awards at 11:30 a.m. The afternoon flight check in and lunch will begin at Noon, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m., and awards at 4 p.m. Both flights feature a 12-hole best ball scramble and a skills competition for kids aged 12 and under. Foursomes consist of two adults and two juniors, age 17 or younger. Golfers without a full team can register as an individual; organizers will help fill the foursome. Registration details and sponsorship opportunities are available on the Valpo Parks Foundation website at ValpoParksFoundation.org or call 219-462-5144.
Cooking For a Lifetime of Cancer Prevention class for women
Join Linda Curley, Purdue University Extension educator, Health and Human Sciences, for Cooking For a Lifetime of Cancer Prevention For Women. This complimentary two-session program will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. July 24 and 31 at Purdue University Extension – Lake County, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point. Register at https://tinyurl.com/C4L-LakeCo. For more information, contact Curley at 219-755-3240. Those in need of reasonable accommodation to attend this program are asked to contact Curley no later than July 18.
Franciscan Health Dyer to host suicide prevention course
Franciscan Health Dyer will host a free suicide-prevention course aimed at helping save lives. The entry level question, persuade and refer or QPR Suicide Prevention Course will be held from 10 a.m. to Noon July 24 in the administrative conference room at the hospital, 24 Joliet St., Dyer. Based on curriculum developed by the QPR Institute, the course aims to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. The course is free, but registration is required. Contact Franciscan Health Community Health Improvement Coordinator Stacy Zembala at Stacy.Zembala@franciscanalliance.org to register.
