The 2024 Indiana State Festival Guide features Whiting’s nationally-recognized Pierogi Fest on the front cover. This 116-page glovebox-sized booklet provides details on festivals, fairs and events throughout the state. A half million copies are distributed at more than 1,200 locations in all 92 counties. “We are proud to earn the distinction of the front cover. Pierogi Fest has won a number of accolades as one of the best festivals in the nation; the front cover is a confirmation of the hard work that more than 600 volunteers undertake annually to make it a success,” said Tom Dabertin, chairman and co-founder of Pierogi Fest.
According to Heather Becerra, CMO of the South Shore CVA and associate board member of the Indiana State Festivals Association (ISFA), “This is the first time a festival in Northwest Indiana has ever been featured on the front cover. Each year an event from a different region of the state is showcased. The covers have already been approved through 2030. The next opportunity for a Northern Indiana festival to be featured won’t be until 2036. This is a great opportunity to highlight one of the most unique festivals in all the Midwest.”
This year Pierogi Fest is celebrating 30 years. The festival takes place July 26-28, 2024 on 119th Street in Downtown Whiting. The event offers more than 75 food booths with more than 1,200 menu items, two beer gardens, 55 arts and crafts vendors, seven live entertainment stages featuring a wide variety of music and the much-anticipated polka parade. The polka parade, known as the wackiest parade in the Midwest, takes place on Friday evening at 7:00 pm.
Stop by the Indiana Welcome Center at 7770 Corinne Drive in Hammond to pick up a copy of the guide. You can also download, view a copy online or request one to be mailed to you by visiting www.indianafestivals.org.