Free summer fun July 18–22
by Ernst Lamothe Jr.
HAMMOND, Ind. (July 19, 2018) – Donna Muta has seen the incredible growth of one of the most popular festivals in northwest Indiana. Every year bigger names arrive to greet the community for an annual free summer event.
Eclectic music, food, and family fun take place throughout this weekend as Hammond Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr. and Hammond Parks & Recreation present the 15th annual Festival of the Lakes at Wolf Lake Memorial Park Pavilion, 2324 S. Calumet Avenue in Hammond, Indiana.
“It is truly amazing to see everything this festival has become,” said Muta, special events coordinator for Hammond Parks and Recreation. “People really look forward to it every year, and we try to give the public the variety they want.”
The Festival features a carnival, free boat rides, and food and drink vendors. The music acts include 90s R&B, rock bands, hip hop legends, and Latin music. The planning for the events starts almost a year ahead of time in order to book the headlines and improve on the year before.
Muta added, “If people enjoy great music and a fun atmosphere, then we have made it even better because we created the show seating like a bowl, similar to Ravinia. It rises up higher and higher from the ground level for better viewing. Wolf Lake is just a lovely place to watch a concert at night.”
The mayor’s office reports nearly 100,000 people come to the festival, which officially started on Wednesday with smaller acts. Other events include a fishing derby, a 5K walk/run, and fireworks on Friday.
Muta believes festivals like these are essential to a strong community. “We have a diverse population in Hammond and the surrounding area. Our mayor and those planning the event wanted something that would appeal to a broad scope of people and we think we have done this.” said Muta.
For more information on the Festival of the Lakes, visit FestivalOfTheLakes.com.
