Straight off the heels of their first PBS special, and 60+ city tour, Under the Streetlamp, America’s hottest new vocal group, is ready to get back at it again!  It has just been announced that they will be filming their 2nd PBS special, on Saturday, September 7, 2013, right here in NW Indiana, at the Star Plaza Theater.

In fact, from what I’ve seen, Crown Point has some of the best landscape contractors in the entire region. One of my favorites also has a fully stocked garden center on site – that landscape contractor is Bladecutters. Bladecutters is located in CP and handles lawn care, fertilizing and regular landscaping.

Bladecutters Landscaping has been in business in NW Indiana for many years. In addition, it has remained family owned until this day. That’s important when hiring a landscaper – longevity is an indicator of quality service.

As far as a connection to Crown Point, their current location is off Summit on the East side of Crown Point.

The important thing to remember in hiring a landscape contractor: Price is not the primary decision point – longevity and long term curb appeal is. Don’t just picture the landscape as it will look at completion, rather how it will look over the seasons, and down through the years.

Your home landscape is the welcome mat to your home, and is also the only living part of your home investment. Getting the best crown point landscape contractor is definitely the place to start.

It’s finally that time of year, the sun is finally shining regularly, and the temperature is warming as each day goes by.  To get you in the mood, for the warm months here in NW Indiana, we thought we would craft a list of our top 5 favorite places to dine alfresco  (that’s outdoors to those who don’t speak Italian.)

#1  Catch 22

Topping our list is a fairly new establishment, but loaded with experience, atmosphere, great food, and phenominal drinks.  Catch 22 Bar & Grill is located in Merrillville, on Route 30, near the corner of Broadway and 30. With the largest patio we have ever seen, with 3 large garage doors, that open to make the bar, and the patio one large space, this is THE place to dine outside.  The patio is 21 and over, so please keep that in mind, but plenty of room in the dining room for the whole family.  There are 60 seats, and moveable tables to accommodate large groups, and there is room for everyone!  One section is covered by a roof, so rain or shine, you can dine, or if you are a sun worshiper, the East end has equally as many seats with full sun.  If the outdoors aren’t your thing, step inside the bar, and grab a table next to one of the garage doors, which open and give the full effect of being outside, while still making you feel as if you are in a bar.  Great menu, on-site owners, and fair pricing, make Catch 22 the place to make your stomping ground this Spring and Summer!

#2  Bartlett’s Gourmet Grill & Tavern

Switching gears, and locations, the next restaurant on our list is Bartlett’s Gourmet Grill & Tavern located in Beverly shores, on Highway 12.  Driving North on scenic Highway 12, you quickly realize why this is one of the finest restaurants to dine alfresco.  With a culinary history like no other, the owners of the popular landmark Miller Bakery Cafe, and Bistro 157, took a walk on the casual, but still amazingly enjoyable side of the business.  The casual, yet upscale dichotomy works very well in this small gem of a restaurant.  The outdoor dining area, gives you the feel as if you have left NW Indiana, and have traveled to a far away vacation destination.  The patio, overlooks a heavily wooded area in Beverly shores, so scenic, that the hustle and bustle seem a million miles away.  The wonderful menu, experienced culinary ownership, the amazing food, and the top-notch service makes this a “must try” in the region!

#3  The Lighthouse

Overlooking beautiful Cedar Lake, this next restaurant on our list is also akin to a vacation destination type venue.  Lighthouse Restaurant looked on the shores of Cedar Lake, is the most scenic on our list.  With views from every window facing the lake, the outdoor patio area is unparalled in Lake County.  Probably one of the region’s best kept secrets, Cedar Lake is not only beautiful, but charming, and the perfect backdrop for this appropriately named restaurant.  This two-story, 11,600 square foot  establishment is known for it’s views from it’s outdoor dining area, along with well appointed interiors, service, and some of the best atmosphere and food you will find.

#4  Lucrezia

Right in the heart of Crown Point is one of the finest Italian restaurants you’ll find.  One block from the old courthouse square, Lucrezia  calls the William Barringer Brown Mansion, which was built in 1887, home.  Completely renovated, the atmosphere is elegant, yet not snooty.  The speciality Italian dishes, rival those of some of the best in the city of Chicago.  The small, but quaint outdoor dining area is perfect for an intimate date night, or casual gathering for drinks.  If you haven’t been to this amazing place, you need to get there, and soon, as you don’t know what you’ve been missing!

#5  Cafe Borgia

Moving to the North side of Lake County, is the second Italian restaurant rounding out our list.  Cafe Borgia opened in 1986, in Lansing, Illinois, and then moved to a brand-new facility in Munster right off of Calumet Avenue. With the motto, “The customer is always king” this restaurant boasts some of the finest food, and service around.  Along with finely appointed interiors, the outdoor patio at Cafe Borgia is one of the nicest places to dine in the area.  We know you won’t be disappointed with the atmosphere and ambiance, and some of the tastiest cuisine this side of Rome.

Watch this video on YouTube.

Here is a quick video to introduce their travel agency.

Watch this video on YouTube.

The team there will make themselves available to you at anytime!

They are located just west of the square on Joliet street. I highly recommend you give them a call.

It isn’t really clear how the Pierogi Fest originated, but one thing for sure is that it has become a major hit! One of the most popular events is the delightfully tacky, International Polka Parade, which will march straight down 119th Street on Friday night at 7:00. Don’t miss this hilarious parody-type parade featuring the Special Precision Lawnmower Drill team, the one and only Twirling Babushka Brigade! This parade will have you laughing the whole way through!

Before or after the parade, dig into some of the best, mouthwatering pierogies you will ever have, and if pierogies aren’t your thing, don’t worry, there are plenty of other vendors selling all types of delicious cuisine. Don’t forget to grab yourself an ice cold beer from the beer garden to wash down all that scrumptious food.

Not only is there an abundance of food at the Pierogi Fest, there are loads of other things to keep you entertained as well, such as, an arts and crafts area, Pierogi Toss competition, Pierogi Eating contest, and live music and dancing. The ever-popular Pierogi Songfest will be held on Saturday afternoon at 1:00. Come sing the Pierogi Fest anthem, to the tune of “Matilda” and the “Whiting, Indiana” song. Feel free to stay for a slew of other hilarious songs that all revolve around Whiting’s favorite food-the pierogi. Songs such as, “Anything You Can Eat, I Can Eat More Of” and “I Will Deep Fry,” will have you ROFL!

Stop by Whiting’s Pierogi Fest for a guaranteed fun-filled weekend of laughs and entertainment. Only at The Pierogi Fest will you see grown women dressed like bushas in housecoats and babushkas. While you’re there don’t forget to stop and say hello to Mr. Pierogi and his Pieroguettes; Miss Cheese, Miss Potato, Miss Sauerkraut, Miss Mushroom, Miss Beef, Miss Apricot, and Miss Berry.

The 2011 St. John the Evangelist Parish Festival is themed “Food, Family, Fun.” Some of this years new additions to the menu will be Drago’s Shish-ka-bobs, Dairy Queen Ice Cream, and Chicago Pierogie’s. The alumni include grilled steak sandwiches by Welch’s, Margarita’s Bar & Grill, and Sammies Sammiches. Carnival rides will also be making a return this year. Friday is wristband night. Also on the agenda are pony rides, games and a 5K run, so get the kids ready, it’s going to be a long weekend of family fun!

Take a break from the heat, the St. John the Evangelist Parish Festival will also be hosting Texas Hold’Em Tournaments for the adults on Thursday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. inside the air-conditioned gym. Outside there will be a gambling casino right alongside of the beer garden.

Dust off your dancing shoes, their will be plenty of live entertainment every night! Nicole Jamrose, The Crawpuppies, and The Maz Brothers, are among some of the entertainers that will be rockin’ the house.

The festival is located at 9400 Wicker Avenue, on the St. John the Evangelist Parish School Grounds. While you’re there be sure to enter the Big Ticket Raffle for your chance to win $10,000! Fest hours are:
Thursday: 6p.m. – 11p.m.
Friday: 5p.m. – Midnight
Saturday: 3p.m. – Midnight
Sunday: 3p.m. – 10p.m.

A free shuttle will available Friday and Saturday to-and-from the Kmart parking lot and the Community Outpatient Center.

As summertime rolls on so do the festivals, however the biggest fest of all is yet to come.  Since 1852, the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point has been home to the Lake County Fair.  The Lake County Fair is the largest county fair in the entire state of Indiana.  This year the The Lake County Fair begins August 5th and runs through the 14th.

The Lake County Fair hosts agricultural showcases, 4-H displays, horse shows, food galore, games, craft booths, carnival rides, Demolition Derby, live musical entertainment and a slew of other family fun, summertime events.  Thousands of visitors flock from all over to experience all that the Lake County Fair has to offer.

Also in the mix are loads of contests where competitors will compete for some great prizes.  Among the favorites are the Bean Spitting contest, Pie Eating contest, Paper Airplane contest, Apple Peeling contest, Goat Milking contest, Hot Dog Eating contest, and the ever-popular Frog Jumping Contest.

Admission to the fair is $4.00 for adults and children 9-12 are only $2.00, kiddies under eight are free.  However, if you get there before 3p.m. Monday through Thursday, admission is free for everyone!  If you will be parking on the fairgrounds, plan on paying another $4.00.  Free parking and shuttles will also available at the Crown Point High School.

The Lake County Fairgrounds are located at 889 S. Court Street in Crown Point.  Gates to the Lake County Fair open at 9a.m., some of the exhibits do not open until 10a.m. and the rides don’t fire up until noon.  Speaking of rides, wristbands are available for the kids.  From noon until 5p.m wristbands are $14 and from 5p.m. until closing wristbands are $20.  For those with kids that live for these rides, all-day passes can be purchased for only $25.00.  Individual tickets for rides are $1.25.  I suggest you pay close attention to how many tickets each ride takes, the wristbands may be your best bet.

If you are in search of some good family fun, look no further, the Lake County Fair has it all!

Lake County Fairgrounds Location:

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Below is one of our recent videos that will teach you how to make an awesome steak sandwich.