When I say there is something for everyone in La Porte County I truly mean that. Ever since joining the Downtown Michigan City Main Street Association and the Downtown La Porte team about a year and a half ago, the most prominent thing I have realized is how diverse this county is. I mean really. From the downtowns I serve to the rural outskirt areas to the lakefront living in Michigan City, I have been pleasantly surprised by the vastness and the opportunity this county has for future growth.
I have defined the month of August by a few words to make it easy (both on myself and others) to enjoy the uniqueness of La Porte County in every facet. First, Fast is obviously due to the efforts of the La Porte County Convention & Visitors Bureaus bringing the 5th Annual Great Lakes Super Boat Grand Prix to Michigan City’s Washington Park. These boats come from all corners of the country to race our little Indiana Ocean and visit our friendly communities.
Secondly, Art defines the month of August with many great opportunities to enjoy art and culture in La Porte County. The First Friday Art Walk August 2nd in Downtown Michigan City, or The Uptown Arts District, has become a stellar event with each downtown business staying open late, offering refreshments, and featuring art. The Uptown Arts District has become a great cultural mecca with downtown sculptures also adding to the experience. 2nd Saturday! in Downtown La Porte takes place August 10th with the theme of the Art Walk as well, featuring some great local favorites like Temple News Agency, Thaddeus C. Gallery, Worthington Art Studio, Cookery Tried and True Café and more featuring art. The art continues August 17th and 18th with the Lubeznik Center for the Arts’ Lakefront Art Festival in Washington Park, which boasts over 100 fine art and craft vendors. Outside of our great downtowns, International Friendship Gardens hosts the opera at their beautiful facility on Sundays, and the Main Street and La Porte Little Theaters each offer the thespian fans some wonderful entertainment.
From stellar coffee shops to diners to cafes, I value the variety La Porte County offers, that’s why my next word is Taste. There are two Tastes in La Porte County in August. I love the ability to be a part of these two great events: The Taste of Michigan City (August 2nd & 3rd) and the Taste of La Porte (August 17th). Michigan City’s, the more established of the two Tastes, offers over 15 local Michigan City restaurants and live bands playing in the District and is now two days this year. The event hosts the Boat Parade at 6pm on Saturday and is taking place during the Art Walk Friday night, so you can see even more. Each event has local brews on tap, and La Porte’s Taste will offer live entertainment as well, and delicious tastes from local favorites like Seven, Spire and more.
My last and final word to define the month of August in La Porte County is fitness. There are many opportunities to get fit this and almost every other month in both communities. The City by the Lake Triathlon/Duathlon features kids and adult options at many levels August 9th and 10th at Washington Park. The Mayor of La Porte’s Fitness Fridays in downtown La Porte and the free yoga on the Courthouse Lawn at 9am every Saturday provide a sense of a health-focused community while also that welcomeness to visitors and fitness at all levels. Both communities also feature wonderful U-Pick orchards and fresh farmers markets every Saturday that give people of all shapes, sizes and abilities an opportunity to take part in their healthy lifestyle.
It amazes me on a daily basis the amount of effort the respective groups in the community put forth in creating an overall vibrant place to live, work and play. My positions define that I focus primarily on revitalizing my downtown areas and this article only captures the breadth of what is possible in La Porte County for the month of August alone, so imagine what I am leaving out! Stay in touch, read your local newspaper, listen to your local radio station, visit michigancitylaporte.com for information on these and other events, and follow every local place you like on Facebook. The more we all shop local, the more resources we all have to love our community a little bit more. Don’t take my words for it, get out there!