Every week, we will be cycling in a new poll for the Explorers to answer about NWI. Favorite spots, underrated meals, hidden gems and a whole bunch else will be covered. These polls will help us to build the definitive NWI Explored guide to the Northwest Indiana, completely based on input from all of you! So, make your voices heard and answer our weekly poll!

Polls will switch out on each week’s Thursday edition, so you’ve got a full week to respond!

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Culver’s in LaPorte will be donating 50% of their sales TODAY to Deputy Jon Samuelson and his family to help with his recovery after being shot multiple times while attempting to help a stranded motorist some weeks back. Samuelson was recently transferred from the ICU at Memorial Hospital in South Bend to a rehab facility in Chicago where he is undergoing many sessions of therapy a week. If you are going to be eating out somewhere today, consider going to Laporte’s Culvers location to support Deputy Samuelson and his family during this difficult time.

The proposed data center project in Eagle Creek Township has made progress out of Tuesday’s Lake County Council meeting, with the council voting unanimously in favor of a zoning change that opens the door for the data center to be built on the south side of 181st Avenue. There are still some roadblocks in the way, such as special exceptions and site development plan approval and the outpouring of public disapproval to all data center projects, before this project moves ahead any further.

The Hammond Common Council voted unanimously in favor of an addendum to their agreement with data center investors Decennial Group, adding an additional $25 million to the previously proposed Community Impact Fund. The proposition in place stipulated that Decennial would pay the City of Hammond $4 million a year for 20 years in support of the data center project, which will now include the aforementioned $25 million addendum for a total of $105 million over the course of two decades.

After a nearly three month work stoppage due to a workers lockout, USW Local 7-1 laborers employed at the BP Whiting Refinery have decided to take the next step in making their voices heard: taking the fight directly to BP’s corporate office in Chicago. A solidarity rally will be held by USW Local 7-1 reps at the BP Corporate office (30 S. Wacker Ave) in Chicago on June 26th - from 11am to 1pm. The public is invited to show up and speak against the workers lockout that has deprived some 800 local laborers from pay and benefits for nearly three months now.

NIPSCO has given Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana $50,000 to help fund a new program fighting food insecurity across NWI. The pilot program is offered through the St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, helping 135 patients across Lake and Porter counties by providing six weeks of meals. Over 5,600 meals were delivered over that trial period, helping to stabilize patients and ensure recovery - with long-term health outcomes improved as a result as well.

Following an investigation by WTHR Indianapolis and Good Jobs First, a watchdog and activist group, it’s been reported that the State of Indiana has given more than $655 million in sales and use tax exemptions for data center projects all across the state. Amazon Web Services alone received over $560 million in tax exemptions last year from the state, with reported benefit from their data centers totaling ~$420 million in the first 15 years. It’s hard to quite conceive of how beneficial these projects will be in the long-term.

Recap from earlier this week:

It’s official: The Chicago Bears have announced their intention to build their new stadium in Hammond, Indiana - leaving their longtime home of Soldier Field in downtown Chicago.

An exact location for the future stadium campus has not been determined yet, nor has a construction timeline, but it is expected to go up around the city-owned Lost Marsh Golf Course - near Wolf Lake. We’ve all heard every variation and spin on this particular story by now and it’s all that anyone can talk about around these parts. It remains to be seen what all will come of this project, but as a 49ers fan, I can’t say I feel any certain regard for the Bears moving closer to my home.

Republican Governor Mike Braun has announced plans to continue the suspension of state gasoline excise tax and state sales tax on gasoline, for at least another month.

The suspension of these tax collections on gasoline began in April, with Indiana gas prices dropping by 62 cents by the end of the month and holding at this lower rate through May and into June. Currently, Indiana is among the lowest in the country in gas prices.

South Shore Line passengers, listen up: There will be no service to the Museum Campus and Van Buren Street stations on June 13th and 14th to accommodate a construction project. Passengers will be bussed between Millennium Station and 18th Street Station on those days.

Those travelling between St. John and Cedar Lake who use Parrish Avenue should know that Lake County Council is expected to approve a measure by the county highway department to install all-way stop signs at Parrish and 117th Ave. This measure is to prevent crashes at this intersection, which have been on the uptick as of late.

Motorists beware: Ramps from both eastbound and westbound Interstate 80/94 to Southbound Cline Avenue are closing today and will be closed through mid-August. Seek alternate routes like southbound on Kennedy Avenue or Burr Street in order to avoid the construction. Also, an eight-day closure of Broadway from 20th Ave. to 21st Ave. will take place to improve the railroad crossing there. Allow for extra time to travel through these areas.

The City of Hammond is auctioning off 28 lots in Memorial Park to allow for the property to be used for residential development. The auction takes place on June 25th at Hammond City Hall (5:30 pm). The 28 parcels of land sit along the extensions of Noble Ave. and Ray Ave..

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

Chicago Street Theatre, Valparaiso - info here

Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso - info here

Canterbury Theatre, Michigan City - Info Here

La Porte Little Theatre, LaPorte - Info Here

4th Street Theater, Chesterton - Info Here

Beatniks on Conkey, Hammond - Info Here

Footlight Players, Inc, Michigan City - Info Here

Indiana Ballet Theatre Company - Info Here

Marian Theatre Guild, Whiting - Info Here

Towle Theater, Hammond - Info Here

Valpo University Theatre- Info Here

Ticket information and the full schedule can be found right here.

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.

June
June 10 — Leann Stutler
June 12 — Marco Villareal
June 17 — Keith Scott
June 19 — Jason Blake
June 24 — Andre Detti
June 26 — Peter Warren

Starting on June 6th and running the subsequent TWO weekends, it’s the return of Johnson’s Farms Strawberry Festival Weekends! Strawberry U-pick days for the whole family, activities for the kids, and a wide variety of strawberry treats will all be available on these three consecutive weekends.

Opening on June 6th, Whoazone - Floating Waterpark will be open for business at Whihala Beach in Whiting. One of the best kept secrets of NWI, Whihala Beach will be some of the best fun you can have on Lake Michigan this summer. Kids can jump, bounce, run, play and splash on the Whoazone floating waterpark - from June 6th until August 16th.

Below, you can find the June Schedule for the Gary Railcats and all the associated promos they’re running this month!

You can also find 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.

Live in the ‘Ville will be Schererville (Hessville)’s kick off of Summer 2026 and it’s sure to be something you don’t want to miss. Food trucks, vendors, live music, a beer garden, fire performers, live wrestling, street performers: what else could you want!? Be there or be square when it kicks off June 12th through the 13th.

Schererville’s summer kick-off festival returns! Schererville Fest will be returning to Peter G. Redar Memorial Park this June 10th through the 14th. Live music, cold beer and drinks, bingo, food trucks, local vendors, carnival rides, games and a parade: all taking place over five jam-packed summer days. Learn all about it right here!

The season opener for NWI’s very own fun ball team, the Region Razzles, will be taking place on June 11th at Whiting’s Oil City Stadium. The Region Razzles are the Region’s answer to the phenomenon of the Savannah Banana’s, so this is sure to be fun night you won’t want to miss out on.

Food Truck Friday returns to Gary for the summer this Friday, June 12th. Starting at 5pm at 6th and Broadway, enjoy live music and an assortment of local food trucks every other week throughout the summer.

Dyer Summer Fest is returning for its 35th year! Taking place from June 11th through the 14th in Central Park, get ready for Live music, fireworks, carnival rides, vendors, food trucks, a beer garden, and games for all ages! Kick off summer in a big way at Dyer Summer Fest!

Hope Lights the Way, presented by Crown Point Community Library, is a quiet night of storytelling and celebration at Buckley Homestead. On June 12th, join the community for a guided tour across the farm, as the story of America’s founding is told through our local mythology.

Broad Street Blues and BBQ Festival returns to Central Park in Griffith once again, this year kicking off summer starting on June 12th and running through the 14th. This three-day festival has plenty of live music, plenty of BBQ, and plenty of beer. Top all of that off with a fireworks show on Saturday night and you’ve got one heck of a way to welcome in the warmer months.

Partake on a fairy themed adventure with the 10th Annual Fairy Festival, taking place in Hawthorne Park (Portage) on June 13th. This annual family event benefits local non-profits and allows kids of all ages to partake in an immersive experience that really lets them feel like they’re transported to a fairy forest. Find out more about the event and what its supporting right here.

Summer Greek Fest returns to the Region, taking place on June 13th & 14th at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Hammond. The whole weekend will be celebrating Greece - with food, pastries, music and a gathering of friends and family in celebration!

Michigan City Pride Fest will be taking over the town on June 13th. Food vendors, art, activities for all ages, local live music, and a family-friendly drag show: all that and more is in store!

The Town of Munster will be holding a celebration of America’s 250th Birthday on June 14th in Heritage Park, starting at Noon. Live music, old time food and beverages, a costume contest, prizes, raffles, and so much more will be available to all ages as the town and its residents gather to celebrate the birth of our nation.

Crown Point Pride Bar Crawl returns once again on June 14th this year. Specialty drinks, a traveling drag show, and a gift basket raffle supporting the Indiana Youth Group are just some of the features of this iconic event. Stop by any of the six participating bars to begin your crawl, from noon to 6pm.

Lake Effekt Street Art Festival takes over Old Miller Ave and Lake Street in Miller Beach on June 14th, as artists and nationally recognized crews - Midwest Masters and ATT - create new public murals on this historic stretch of street.

Summer Music Series at Shoreline Brewery kicks off on June 14th with a performance from the Watershed Ramblers. This all ages show is sure to be a killer way to soak up some sun and enjoy the vibes.

Byway Brewing will be holding a Walking Dead Trivia Night on June 16th. Test your knowledge of the ever-present, mega-successful horror franchise and grab a pint of something nice at the same time. This event is FREE to attend.

Four Corners Winery is hosting a Cocktails + Canvas Night on June 17th. Unwind, sip and paint your worries away during this fun social night event, where the drinks and the creativity are allowed to flow freely!

Hendricks Cocktail Creation Tasting Event will be taking place at Asparagus on June 17th. Enjoy cocktails made with three unique expressions from Hendricks, paired with a selected appetizer and all the good vibes you can handle. Tickets can be found at the link above.

Join the folks at Lighthouse Restaurant for a Caribbean Castaway Social Experience, featuring Planteray Rum, taking place on June 18th. A great experience to take your dad out to for Father’s Day, the event will be a high-energy night of connection and indulgence - courtesy of Planteray Brand Ambassador Victor Bouvier.

LaPorte County Historical Society Museum presents a special Juneteenth program: The Underground Railroad in Northwestern Indiana. This special program takes place on June 18th at the LCHS Museum, offering a broad overview of NWI’s history with the Underground Railroad and the enduring legacy of the brave abolitionist Charles Osborn.

Fun for the whole family is on the docket for Dino Day Party in the Park in Peter G Redar Memorial Park in Schererville on June 19th. Fun, food and all the dinosaurs you can handle will be available at this roaring good time.

Gary’s Juneteenth Celebration will be taking place on the holiday (June 19th) at 2201 W Harrrison St. FREE to attend, with music, food, activities and positive vibes. Celebrate the day with your families and friends in a communal way.

Hammond’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration will take place on the holiday (June 19th), at 1200 Highland St. The day of unity, freedom and empowerment will be topped off with a live DJ, local vendors, free activities for families, community engagement projects, and so much more! FREE to attend.

Rock out at ROXX Fest 2026 when it comes around on June 19th and 20th, at Portage Mall Outdoor Festival Area. Two days full of live music, great food, and community building will make sure this weekend is one for the ages. See the details down below.

June Events will be continually added as we move through the month!

More to come!