For the second year the local Crown Point team, the Lake County Corn Dogs, hosted the exciting and unique “Christmas in July” event. Community members from the Region rallied together to support the community-based team, engaging in a fun afternoon of prize-winning, Christmas carols, classic American concessions, and enjoyment for all ages. Those who put on the event were both aware and proud of the impact of the exciting show.
The Corn Dogs formed three years ago, centering around the mission to build community through baseball. Renee Thometz, the marketing manager of Strack & Van Til, was excited to sponsor the Corn Dogs for a second year because of the strong alignment of values between the two organizations.
“The Corn Dogs and Strack & Van Til, we are both centered around our community,” Thometz said. “As organizations, we share the same goals for Northwest Indiana. We want to make the Region the best place to live. Seeing the community come together and have such a fun time is exactly what we believe in.”
Attendees received a Christmas Corn Dogs hat, a raffle ticket, and had the opportunity to grab ornament-inspired necklaces upon entry to the event. Many fans showed up decked out in Christmas-themed gear and the festivity was evident on all faces, all ages.
The Region is special for the attitudes community members hold. Christmas in July depicted the propensity for support and close-knit relationships Region residents possess. One player on the Corn Dogs team, Billy Jones, is proud of his hometown for the attitude that Northwest-based Hoosiers hold.
“I grew up in the Region,” Jones said. “There’s a lot of good things I can say about the area. During recruitment, you are recognized as a Region resident for the attitudes we all hold. We demonstrate determination and strength, never take no for an answer, and never take the easy way out. It is a blessing to play baseball for the Corn Dogs and support the community through a sport I love.”
The Region is widely recognized by residents as a welcoming and close-knit community, with families, friends, and neighbors doing what they can to help and support one another. Thometz has lived in the Region for her whole life, and like many other residents, has no plans to leave.
“I love the growth,” Thometz said. “Having lived here my entire life, I have witnessed the growth of Northwest Indiana. We have amazing schools and organizations like the Corn Dogs that offer different opportunities and support to the community. It’s not just about family fun, but also bringing opportunities to the area.”
Crown Point is known for its growing community centered around sports. This makes the Corn Dogs a wonderful community-building resource. Ralph Flores, the majority owner of the Lake County Corn Dogs, is grateful for the opportunity to improve Crown Point through a widely loved means.
“Crown Point has built its economy around sports,” Flores said. “As a team, we get wonderful support from city administration and the community. The nonprofits and the business sector are a big support, too. We live by our mission to build community through baseball. Everything we do is centered on helping and building the community, and this event is a wonderful way for us to do that.”
Overall, the Christmas in July event showed the true spirit of Northwest Indiana, Crown Point, and the community. Strack & Van Til and the Corn Dogs team could not have done a better job at furthering their shared mission.
To learn more about the Lake County Corn Dogs and how they are building community through baseball, visit https://corndogsbaseball.com/.
To learn more about Strack & Van Til and its commitment to our community, visit https://strackandvantil.com/.
