Happy Thursday, Explorers!

Hope everyone has been braving our second bout of intense heat so far this month. It looks like it won’t be letting up until after the weekend, so everyone be safe in the heat while out exploring Northwest Indiana! Keep your clothes loose and the water flowing!

We’ve been getting quite active over on our Instagram page as of late - summarizing some of our extensive event lists into digestible, swipeable week-to-week posts, so make sure you go and check that out. Follow us, if you aren’t already, @nwiexplored on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok!

As far as this introduction goes, I didn’t have much to really say. We’re super happy with the feedback we’ve been getting so far on Instagram, but never hesitate to let us know how you feel over here too! Shoot us an email to [email protected] if you ever have a comment, question or concern. Other than that, let’s get into the meat of the newsletter. Thank you all for reading and be good to one another.

-Luccas, NWI Explored

The School City of East Chicago Board has passed a agreement, totaling $85,000, to fund a Senior Launchpad program between the school district and COATES Inc., helping to expand the schools counseling in order to remove barriers for students who need postsecondary assistance. Extra FAFSA, scholarship and college help for EC students is promised to be fulfilled when counselor help is limited, with COATES stepping in when students need more help.

Republican Governor Mike Braun has said that he will explicitly refuse to enforce a 43-year-old Indiana law that encourages the state to give some amount of state contracts to minority and woman-owned businesses - claiming that the law is unlawful and unfairly discriminates to those who don’t qualify on the basis of sex or race. Braun is echoing the opinions of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, who claims the statute is outright unconstitutional. As of Wednesday, Braun said the Indiana Department of Administration will award state contracts to Indiana-based companies and small businesses instead, at the behest of Rokita’s 43 page official opinion (of which, has no force of law and does not have to be abided by at all). State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, responded to Braun and Rokita’s opinions by saying that the state’s minority contracting program was not discriminatory and a rebuke of the “race-neutral” policies that failed to give opportunities to minorities and women for years.

The Lake County Board of Commissioners has declared, via a resolution adopted Wednesday, that it is standing in firm solidarity with the currently locked-out laborers from United Steelworkers Local 7-1 - who have not been able to work at the Whiting BP Refinery since March due to an ongoing contract dispute. The county’s executive authority said that they demand the British energy giant to return to the negotiating table in good faith and find an end to this unfair lockout as soon as possible. BP has continually claimed the union is the one dragging their feet on continuing negotiations and has recently renewed claims that they wish to return to the bargaining table in good faith. We shall see.

CNBC recently conducted a national ranking of states, ranking Indiana incredibly low in national quality-of-life due to lack of childcare, health and air quality. The state received an F grade and ranked 48th nationally, but ranked in the top 10 for business.

Contract negotiations between the United Steelworkers Union and Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel have kicked off. Local issues are to be on the docket for this week, with master agreement negotiations beginning next week. These contract negotiations will be covering pay, benefits and working conditions for many local laborers at places like Gary Works, Indiana Harbor Works, Burns Harbor Works and the Midwest Plant.

With profound opposition from the public, Munster Plan Commission has decided to shelve discussion and action on an update to the Kenmara Technology Park to allow for the city’s legal counsel to evaluate any potential changes proposed. Two hours of discussion and presentations happened before the commission finally voted to table the amendment this past Tuesday night, with a future deliberation most likely taking place at the commission’s August 11th meeting. The proposed changes to the Kenmara Technology Park were in theory to allow for rezoning to potentially allow for data center projects and their ilk to be pitched for the area - a measure which most of the public found to be reprehensible.

A passing truck unintentionally dropped hundreds of chickens from its payload along the eastbound ramp from Interstate 80 to Interstate 90, with hundreds of the chickens dying from heat stroke amid the intense summer heat. Around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 28 crates of live birds fell and scattered across the interstate. Luckily, more than 100 of them were rescued by Hobart Animal Rescue and quickly taken to Erin’s Farm nearby to begin their cooling and healing process. The farm, when asked for comment, said that it was easily preventable had the truck and whoever was transporting the birds followed more humane laws. Erin’s Farm is also seeking donations to aid in rehabilitating the more than 100 chickens they’ve suddenly taken on, which you can read more about and donate to right here.

The Hammond YMCA plans to break ground on their outdoor water park addition this fall - a new addition to their already bustling sports and recreation campus. The waterpark will be built at 6532 Indianapolis Boulevard, with a few separate pools outside of the waterpark area for those of all ages and abilities to enjoy the premises.

Every issue of NWI Explored, we give you the best events and spots to check out during the current month.

Here is the schedule for the Lake County Corn Dogs Baseball team below! The Lake County Corn Dogs are a pre-professional, independent baseball team based out of Crown Point in the Northern League.

Find the week-to-week schedule for the South Shore Adult Baseball League right here!

The historical local baseball team, the Deep River Grinders, have their summer schedule listed right here as well.

Journeyman Distillery’s third annual Summer Music Series - a twice-a-week live music experience out on the lawn in front of the distillery. Grab a cocktail or a handcrafted meal and lay out under the string lights for a great night of courtyard music and vibes. Find the June schedule below.

Indiana’s oldest county fair returns once again this weekend, with the 180th Annual LaPorte County Fair! The festivities begin this Saturday, July 11th and run through the 18th. A day-to-day itinerary can be found right here, but the highlights include: Pro Rodeos, Demolition Derbys, Bear Hollow Wood Carvers, Live Performance from Dylan Scott, and so much more!

The NSA Fast Pitch Softball World Series (ODD & EVEN Age) is coming to NWI this weekend! From July 14th-19th, across Crown Point, Schererville, Dyer and LaPorte, 130 softball teams from across the country are converging on the Region to compete in the NSA Northern World Series. Thousands of participants and spectators, tons of supplementary activities surrounding the games courtesy of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, and even more. Opening Ceremonies will take place Today, Thursday, July 16th at Bulldog Park in Crown Point - with food vendors, beer garden, DJ and tons more. Learn more about the World Series here and about the other events right here.

Downtown Valpo’s Summer Concert Series Begins on July 9th, running every Thursday through August 27th

The always-popular Festival of the Lakes returns to Wolf Lake on July 15th-19th. This years lineup is as follows: The Ultimate Freestyle Experience; Jelly Roll; The Offspring; Moneybagg Yo & Kevin Gates; Banda El Recodo

The Northwest Indiana Symphony will once again be doing their South Shore Summer Music Festival this year - a traveling swath of performances across NWI throughout the month of July. They begin in Lansing, IL on July 17th, then go to: Valpo - July 22nd; Gary - July 24th; Crown Point - July 25th; Munster - July 28th; Griffith - August 1st.

Taste of Crown Point returns to Bulldog Park once again. (Crown Point) (July 17th & 18th). Live music and a host of local vendors will make this a weekend event you won’t want to miss! See the live music schedule and a list of vendors attending below!

𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟭𝟳

5-5:45 p.m.: The Hicks Duo (acoustic rock/pop duo)

6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m.: Mr. Funnyman (party rock)

8-10 p.m.: Echoes of Pompeii (Pink Floyd tribute)

𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟭𝟴

2-4:15 p.m.: Thrown Together (classic pop/rock)

5-7 p.m.: Soundz of Santana (Santana tribute)

7:45-10 p.m.: Mellencougar (John Mellencamp tribute)

2026 Taste of Crown Point Vendor List:

Region staple Festa Italiana returns once again @ Villa Cesare Banquets and Events (Schererville) (July 17th-19th). Classic events like a bocce tournament, spaghetti eating contest, grape stomping contest, and tons of live music - all free to attend and take part in! See the schedule for the festival below!

An acrobatic show walking the line between the extreme and the other-side, Paranormal Cirque Inferno comes to NWI this July! Fun, fear and a visual feast of paranormal proportions will make this an experience you won’t soon forget. @ Southlake Mall (Merrillville) (July 17th-20th)

Bombers’ BBQ will be holding its 4th Annual Cars, Brews and BBQ Show at their Crown Point location on July 18th - beginning at 11am. Classic rides, flowing beers and tons of delicious food: what’s not to love.

The City of East Chicago and Mayor Anthony Copeland invite all to come out to the free “Salsa in the Park” event at Washington Park. Music courtesy of Ray Sepulveda, Pauito Acosta and DJ Drip, tons of food, and even more dancing: this will be a night you won’t want to miss! FREE TO ATTEND

Drop by Downtown Valpo on July 18th for the Valparaiso Wine Festival! Live entertainment, over 100 different wines - reds,whites and sparkling - and appetizer pairings will make this a night full of memories.

The 51st Annual Griffith Park Full of Art Event returns once again. This FREE TO ATTEND event is a chance to share your love of fine art with the public, as tons of artists across all different disciplines take part in a juried arts event that is sure to be a unique way to spend your Saturday.

The Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival will be taking place over the course of this weekend (July 17-19th). Some of the most talented and renowned sand sculptors will be in attendance and competing.

Munster Parks and Recreation Department presents Movie Night in the Park! Each month, enjoy a free movie in Centennial Park - complete with concessions and glow accessories. This upcoming screening will be July 20th with The Bad Guys 2. August 3rd will be Zootopia 2 and September 11th will be Freakier Friday.

Byway Brewing will be hosting a Parks and Recreation themed Trivia Night on July 21st. Waffles, Lil’ Sebastian, Ron Swanson and all the quotes you can remember will help you test your mettle.

Take part in the 2026 Evans Scholars Invitational - where the PGA Stars of tomorrow compete in the premier golf invitational of the area. Running from July 23rd to the 26th at The Glen Club in Glenview, Illinois!

You can find out the live music accompanying this next event down below in our Live Music Recap, but this is your official notice that the Porter County Fair is back! July 23rd to August 1st, partake in a unique combo of rides, food, 4-H exhibits, activities and tons of live music.

For the 5th year running, South Shore Roller Derby’s Summer Crush is back and better than ever. Inspired by the challenges and trials of strength from classic shows like “Legends of the Hidden Temple”, this year’s summer showdown will surely be fierce, competitive and a whole lot of fun. July 24-26!

Three days of music, art, food and fun, LaPorte Lakefest will be taking over the city on July 24-26th. Live the Lake Life all weekend with this year’s slate of live music, steamboat rides and even a brewfest. There’s something for everyone this year at Lakefest!

Three decades running (and no sign of stopping soon), Whiting’s iconic Pierogi Fest returns once again this July 24th through the 26th. A host of wacky characters lead you through tons of food vendors, plenty of pierogis of all different varieties, the Mr. Pierogi Songfest, Buscia’s Cooking Show, and so many other unique events you can’t get anywhere else! Below, you can find the full entertainment schedule for the festival as well.