What made 2021 so entertaining? It was theatre productions, annual festivals, community events, 5Ks, holiday celebrations, art shows, parades, and so much more. No matter the occasion, the Region knows how to keep the fun alive and bring people together to make memories, and this past year was no different.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 entertainment articles from Portage.Life in 2021:
The Portage Events Partnership hosts second annual Light Up the Gourds! event Oct 29 and 30 at Imagination Glen Park
A rainy evening didn’t deter Portage residents from a night of Halloween fun with the Portage Events Partnership (PEP) as it hosted its second annual the Light Up the Gourds! event, a walking illuminated pumpkin trail with hundreds of pumpkins on display.
Portage Township Haven Hollow Harvest Fest brings smiles and fun
Skeletons, butterflies, and crayons, oh my! Portage Township Trustee’s Office put together the most festive Halloween party for all on Friday night with games, a bonfire, and even horse-drawn carriage rides.
Listen to your Mother gives motherhood a microphone at Hobart Art Theater
While motherhood is defined as being the state of raising a child, it can also be considered to be the quality or characteristic of a mother. The play, Listen to Your Mother, proves that there's no one way to be a mother.
Hooked on Art Festival provides fun for the whole family
On September 18, Three20 Recovery will have its ninth annual Hooked on Art Festival in downtown Chesterton. The event, which runs 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., provides fun for the entire family while also raising awareness for a great cause.
Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation promotes free, outdoor theater throughout the Region
Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation (NIETF) is a nonprofit and a hallmark of the arts in the Region.
NIETF’s grasp expands to help theaters all across Northwest Indiana, including theaters in Hammond, Schererville, St. John, Lake Station, Portage, Michigan City, and more. The organization’s mission is to build a strong community, support quality productions, and encourage excellence and excitement for theatre in Northwest Indiana.
Portage High School dims the lights, turns up the music for Prom Night 2021
The lights were dim, but balloons filled the hallways as music pulsed through the open doors and spilled out, carrying along with it the promise of memories to be made and fun times to be had as Portage High School hosted Prom Night 2021.
Portage High School Thespians perform “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”
Portage High School Thespians took the stage on Friday night to debut their spring performance, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.” With music and lyrics by Clark Gesner, the classic 1967 musical brings the Peanuts characters to life with song, dance, and a simple but very dynamic stage.
Savor the South Shore Restaurant Week combines favorite tastes around the Region with special deals
Whether you enjoy savory meals along the South Shore on a weekly basis or have yet to order from the menu of these restaurants, the South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority is inviting you to take advantage of specially priced meals during this year’s Savor the South Shore Restaurant Week.
The family-friendly City of Portage is home to endless shopping and restaurant perks
With plenty of small businesses, department stores, local parks, entertainment spots, great public schools, and more, the City of Portage offers abundant benefits to residents of all kinds.
Theatre smarts and theatre hearts: why theatre matters
While many may not realize it, the local actors they watch perform at community theatres across the Region may spend 15-20 hours a week rehearsing, on top of the hours they put into their day job. Despite the time involved equaling the hours one may put into a part-time job, these individuals are devoting their time, effort, and other resources to community theatres for free. What motivates these local actors to offer their time so freely is simply their love for the theatre—they know theatre matters.
