Festival of the Lakes is less than a week away, and the City of Hammond celebrated by hosting its annual Launch Party at 18th Street Brewery. This year’s festival is packed with some of the biggest musical acts that the event has ever seen – and the action all starts on Wednesday, July 12.
“Every year is super exciting for any attendee that comes out to the fest,” said Aileen Ibarra, special events coordinator for the City of Hammond. “Every year we bring new artists, ones that are in right now, and ones that fit all kinds of different crowds.”
Ashanti and Ja Rule lead things off by headlining opening night, the Brothers Osborne follow things up on Thursday, the Stone Temple Pilots take the stage on Wednesday, and Lil Wayne headlines the festival on Saturday night. Luis Angel “El Flaco” closes things out on Sunday night.
Other acts include DJ Nonstop, Ingrid Andress, Nate Venturelli Local H, 89Minds, DJ Pharris, Trina, and DJ Kceaser, Banda Peñasco de Zacatecas, and Mariachi Estrellas de Chicago.
It’s a lineup stacked with platinum artists and Grammy winners – and admission to the festival is free every day except Saturday. VIP Experience passes are available for each act and include access to a VIP viewing section right in front of the stage, a private VIP bar, and separate restrooms that make it easy to avoid long lines.
“This is one of the largest festivals in Northwest Indiana,” Ibarra said. “It’s a marquee event.”
If concerts aren’t your thing, Festival of the Lakes also includes a huge lineup of carnival rides and games with prizes to win and thrills to be had. There is a 5-Day Carnival Mega-Pass available for thrill seekers looking to enjoy unlimited rides. A huge variety of food vendors, including some local favorites, are set to appear.
The Festival of the Lakes Hot Rod & Custom & Bike Show is also making a return this year on July 16 starting at noon. It is free and open to the public, with a $15 fee for any vehicle entries.
While entry is free, except on Saturday, parking passes are required and can be purchased on-site with cash, or online at www.festivalofthelakes.com/guidebook/parking/. There is also a free Region Ride shuttle bus available all day on Saturday, July 15, and Sunday, July 16 at the Hammond South Shore Station that will take visitors to Wolf Lake Memorial Park and back.
To see a full schedule, purchase VIP Experience Passes, Carnival Mega-Passes and parking passes visit www.festivalofthelakes.com.
