story by GLENDA WINDERS
Now would be a good time to mark July 15 to 19 on your calendar and make plans to head for what is shaping up to be an epic celebration in Hammond. This summer marks the 22nd anniversary of the Festival of the Lakes, an event which every year seems to get better and better.
One of the headliners this year will be Jelly Roll on the 16th. Please note that Jelly Roll is a ticketed event. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Also don’t miss the Offspring on the 17th, Moneybagg Yo & Kevin Gates on the 18th and Banda El Recodo on the 19th. There is still one more music act to announce, so stay tuned.
This annual happening began in 1984, when former Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Sr. established AugustFest, a 10-day festival that commemorated the 100th anniversary of Hammond’s establishment in Indiana. In 2004, Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr. rebranded the event as Festival of the Lakes to celebrate Lake Michigan, Wolf Lake and George Lake and slimmed it down to five days.
The festival serves to promote the city and its diversity of people while giving families a chance to enjoy time together. Past years have seen such spectacular acts as Travis Tritt, Cheap Trick and Foreigner. The largest concert turnout for Festival of the Lakes was in 2021, when the park was at full capacity for Latin Night to see Los Tucanes de Tijuana. Last year more than 60,000 merry-makers attended.
Much more awaits, too, with something for everyone in the family. You’ll find a midway with carnival rides and games, boat rides on Lake Wolf and regional favorite food served up by some 20 vendors. A shuttle will run from the Hammond NICTD Southshore Train line to the event.
Admission to all of the events is free except the Jelly Roll concert, although concertgoers might consider upgrading to the VIP pass. With that, they’ll be able to sit in special seating right in front of the stage, go backstage after the show and buy drinks at a special VIP bar.
Whichever festival activities strike your fancy, it’s for sure that if you head for Hammond this summer, you’re headed for fun.
For more information visit: festivalofthelakes.com.
