SHORE MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Best Festival in Indiana

I wrote short little pieces about the best festivals in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan (as chosen by the readers of SHORE MAGAZINE). You can see the online version of this magazine at http://www.visitshoremagazine.com. Last week, I focused on Michigan. This week, it's Indiana.



(From the July 2006 issue)




Tied for Best Festival in Indiana: Pierogi Fest & Valparaiso Popcorn Festival


Pierogi Festival, Whiting, Indiana (July 28-30)

Pierogi Fest in Whiting Indiana is a food festival you’ll never forget. With “more pierogi than they have in Warsaw,” and virtually every other kind of ethnic and American food, you’re guaranteed to leave the festival with a full stomach. But it’s not just the great food and the “perfect for the atmosphere” polka music; it’s the unbridled spirit of fun that attracts such devoted fans. Wacky appearances by Mr. Pierogi, and the International Polka Parade on 119th Street (that you have to see to believe), makes Pierogi Fest one of a kind.

“It’s definitely the best,” according to Shore reader Roman Sawczak.

Actually, it’s tied for the best, with...

Valparaiso Popcorn Festival, Valparaiso, Indiana

Another one of a kind event is the Popcorn Festival in Valparaiso, featuring the nation’s only popcorn parade. This festival was started in 1979 as a salute to Valparaiso’s very own Orville Redenbacher. Popcorn Fest is held every year the Saturday after Labor Day (this year it will be September 9th), and draws between 60-75,000 attendees to downtown Valparaiso.