As the sun began to set at Pavilion at Wolf Lake Memorial Park in Hammond, excitement for this year’s Festival of the Lake’s opening night act began to rise.
“Nelly has so many memorable hits that he’s released over the years, and I can’t wait to hear them live tonight in Hammond,” said Aaron Jacobs, Festival of the Lakes attendee.
The crowd roared as Nelly took the stage, and he thanked his loyal fans who have supported him ever since the early days of his career.
“I want to thank everyone in Indiana who has supported me since day one,” he said. “For those of you who have been there since the beginning, I want you to know how blessed I am to stand here before you all and feel your energy.”
Nelly ran across the stage from left to right throughout his performance and showed his fans some love as the Ferris wheel and countless other carnival rides glistened in the distance.
“What a lot of people don’t realize is that this concert is free to the public. You can come out with your family and experience some great entertainment for no charge at all ,” said Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.
However, if you are looking for something a little bit more exclusive, there is still time to get in on the upcoming musical performances and festival fun by purchasing VIP access passes at festivalofthelakes.com. “We’ve also expanded the VIP area this year. There are more bathrooms, places to get beverages, and standing room available in order to enjoy the night to its fullest,” said Mayor McDermott Jr.
Festival goers who traveled far and wide didn’t let a little rain or heat stop them as they flooded into the park for the concert and carnival.
Lights shimmered as the smell of fried foods drifted through the air. This year, and every year for that matter, people from across the state travel to Hammond to enjoy the community festival with friends and loved ones.
“We come every year. My husband and I are teachers in the Hammond area. We bring our kids, and they always have tons of fun and so do we,” said Mary Kujawa of Hammond. “It’s a great festival. It’s well-policed, fun, calm, and there’s so much to do.”
Kids enjoyed carnival games and rides as well as a wide selection of fair food such as elephant ears, corn dogs, fried Oreos, and more.
“This year we’ve expanded the festival rides, giving more options for the kids. Each year, we push to provide a wider selection of carnival rides and food for our attendees,” said McDermott Jr.
Upcoming weekend FOL entertainers include 3 Doors Down, Bad Company, and The Roots. Don’t miss out on all of the fun!
