Return of Whiting’s Pierogi Fest
Whiting’s Pierogi Fest is back for its 32nd installment. Known as one of the country’s quirkiest events, it takes place this weekend in Whiting, transforming 119th Street into a vibrant festival atmosphere. Attendees will enjoy popular features such as the Friday night Polka Parade. Unique participants, like the Lawnmower Brigade, will entertain the crowd, with the parade starting at Forsythe Park. Visitors can enjoy various pierogi and Eastern European foods from numerous vendors. Live music includes the band Five for Fighting, headlining Saturday night’s free stage. The festival’s Sunday activities feature events like the Pierogi Eating Contest and a Pierogi Toss Challenge. Expect to meet fun characters including Mr. Pierogi, Halupki Guy, Miss Paczki, and the entertaining Buscias. To find out more, visit their website.
Family Arts Fest in Munster
This Sunday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Munster’s Center for Visual and Performing Arts hosts the Family Arts Fest presented by South Shore Arts. This event promises entertainment for all ages, including dancing, music, balloon making, face painting, and more. Popular activities also involve the Rockopelli musical petting zoo. Food and drinks will be available from several vendors such as Brew Box Coffee and Tazones Food Truck. New to this year are outdoor activities like slap graffiti, paper journaling, and creative play. Visit the South Shore Arts Gift Shop and the ‘My America’ exhibition. Entry is $5 per person. More details are found on their website or by calling their contact number.
Musical ‘Avenue Q’ at Dunes Summer Theatre
The Dunes Arts Summer Theatre ends its 75th season with ‘Avenue Q,’ running through August 9. This Tony Award-winning musical, which premiered on Broadway in 2003, combines humor with a unique puppet and human cast to explore themes of adulthood and purpose. Under the direction of Danny Kapinos and music by Aaron Kaplan, the show is set in a New York apartment building and follows recent graduate Princeton’s journey. Key performances take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Ticket prices range from $15 to $35, available via their website or contact number.
‘The Taffetas’ at Canterbury Summer Theatre
‘The Taffetas: A Musical Journey Through the Fabulous Fifties’ is currently showing at Canterbury Summer Theatre until August 1. This nostalgic musical features 40 popular songs from the 1950s and highlights a fictional girl group, The Taffetas, aiming for stardom on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show.’ Performances occur at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 7 p.m. on weekends. Ticket prices are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $11 for students and veterans. Details are available on their website or via their contact number.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, author, and radio show host. Reach him at his email.
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