Our guide to Northwest Indiana fall festivals

Marlene Mitzner is excited to see the population of scarecrows growing in the town of Wanatah, which has a human population of just more than 1,000.

“During the last week of August the Wanatah Scarecrow Committee scattered more than 50 scarecrows throughout the town,” said Mitzner, who was born and raised in Wanatah.

“I was on the Scarecrow Festival committee for years, and every year, we’ve seen the number of scarecrows increase, so now there’s one along every street and light pole.”

Mitzner, whose family has owned and operated the BP gas station in Wanatah for 36 years, said the annual festival is the town’s official welcome of fall.

The 29th Annual Scarecrow Festival in Wanatah Sept. 22-24 features crafts, food vendors, contests and music.

“Once the scarecrows go up all over town, they become the focal point to welcome everyone to our town,” Mitzner said.

“We have a sunflower face scarecrow at the corner of our gas station on Illinois Street and U.S. 30 and I’ve been buying large fall flowering mums to put in pots around our business too. It can take some time to get used to so many scarecrows along every corner of the streets. When driving, and just a glance out of the corner of your eye, it almost looks like there’s someone standing on every one of these street corners.”

Scarecrow Festival features events from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout downtown Wanatah during the weekend. Call 219-476-5960 or scarecrowfest.org.

The following are some of the other fall festivals throughout Northwest Indiana in September and October.

Valparaiso Popcorn Fest: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 throughout downtown and at Northwest Health Amphitheater at Central Park Plaza, 70 Lafayette St. Admission: free. 219-464-8332; valparaisoevents.com/event/valparaiso-popcorn-festival.

Now in its 44th year, an expansive Saturday morning parade including bands and popcorn constructed floats, with food, free music stages and craft vendors throughout downtown Valparaiso are among highlights of this one-day homage to America’s favorite snack.

Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 8-17 with event locations throughout Porter, Lake and La Porte counties, with several activities and programming at the Chellberg Farm, 709-747 N. Mineral Springs Road, Porter. Admission: $7 in-state license plates and $12 out-of-state license plates. 219-395-1882; dunesoutdoorfestival.com.

Now expanded to two weeks in 2023, this family-focused gathering for fun opportunities at parks and preserves throughout Northwest Indiana spans more than 100 events this year including organized hiking, biking, yoga, birding and caps with a Duneland Celebration of History Sept 16 and 17 with demonstrations of farm skills of the early 1900s and wagon rides.

Paws in The Park: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at Community Park, 8601 Calumet Ave. in Munster. Admission: free. humaneindiana.org/events/2023/pawsinthepark.

Raising money for Humane Indiana of Northwest Indiana, the day includes a pet fashion show, food trucks, live music, vendors, games and prizes as will as a 1-mile walk all for the benefit of shelter pets.

Winfield Harvest Festival: Noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 9 at Randolph Community Park, 11900 Randolph St. Admission: free. winfield.in.gov/.

Crown Brewing will host a beer garden, along with a selection of food and dessert trucks, craft booths, carnival games and a kids area.

Michigan City Monarch Music Fest: 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 10. The Brewery Lodge and Supper Club, 5727 N. 600 W. Admission: $50-$60; $15 under 18. 866-625-6343; facebook.com/brewerylodge.

Benefiting Save the Dunes, the ticket price includes a family-friendly afternoon of music, a barbecue plate and one drink ticket.

Sandhill Crane Festival: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 16 downtown at 350 S. Bierma St., Wheatfield. Free. wheatfieldchamber.org.

Every fall there are thousands of Sandhill Cranes who make a migratory stop along the fields of Jasper County during their travels to winter south. Using this feathered festival theme, downtown Wheatfield is transformed with live music, food booths, strolling entertainment, bingo games and a car show.

Chesterton Vino al Fresco: 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 16 at Thomas Centennial Park, 105 S. Calumet Road. Admission: $10-$50. 219-926-5513; dunelandchamber.org.

Wine tasting, sampling high-end cuisine and enjoying live music in the park are the key ingredients of this festival hosed by the Duneland Chamber of Commerce. Guests love to gather under the stars to toast life’s pleasures and the unique businesses along the landscape of downtown Chesterton.

Whiting Empanada Fest: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 16 at Whiting Lakefront Park, 1500 Park Road, Whiting. Admission: free. whitingempanadafest.com/.

Founded by Whiting Hispanic Heritage Organization, the festival launched in September 2022 and continues to grow with more food vendors and live music offerings for this event created as a Scholarship Fundraiser and as means to create awareness of the Latino Hispanic community in Whiting and hosted for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Gary Fest in the First: 3 to 8 p.m. Sept. 16 along Lake Street in the Miller Beach area. Admission: free. facebook.com and search for 2023 Fest in the First.

A Ferris wheel, pony rides, community arts projects, food and music all mark the 20th anniversary event in 2023.

La Porte Sunflower Fair: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 16. Michigan Avenue in downtown La Porte. Admission: free. 219-362-2325; sunflowerfair.com.

With more than 100 craft and nonprofit vendors, the festival includes artisan wares, food, entertainment, kids activities, farmers market, a rib cook-off and sunflower growing contest.

Fall Harvest Antique Equipment Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 22-24 at Sunset Hill Farm County Park, 775 Meridian Road, Valparaiso. $10. nihpa.org.

The Massey Family annually showcases their tractors, equipment, engines and memorabilia, all hosted by the Indiana Massey Collectors Association and the Northern Indiana Historical Power Association featuring displays, vendor booths and food and music.

Valpo Brewfest: 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Central Park Plaza, 68 Lafayette Street, Valparaiso. $24-$59. Valparaisoevents.com.

The 13th Valpo Brewfest is the chance to sample more than 200 unique styles of beer, ciders and mead from craft brewers from near and far while enjoying live music and food.

St. John Oktoberfest: 6-11 p.m. Sept. 22, 2-11 p.m. Sept. 23, noon-8 p.m. Sept. 24. at St. John the Evangelist Old Parish parking lot, 11301 W. 93rd Ave. Admission: free. stjohnoktoberfest.com.

Now in its 17th year, authentic German food like schnitzels, Bavarian Pretzels and cabbage is showcased with music and a bier garden.

Westville Pumpkin Festival: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 30. Prairie Meadow Park, US 421 and US 2. Admission: free. westvillepumpkinfestival.com.

Hosted by Westville Tri Kappa, a pumpkin ingredient bake-off, pumpkin pie eating contest, pumpkin decorating competition, pumpkin parade and kids costume contest are amount 2023 highlights.

Griffith Oktoberfest: 4 to 10 p.m. Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 7 and noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 8 at Central Park, 600 N. Broad St. Admission: free. griffith.in.gov/specialevents/page/griffith-oktoberfest.

German food, a pop-up pumpkin patch, live authentic German music are all paired with a wide variety of German beers and wines.

Crown Point Oktoberfest: 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 6 and noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 7 along South Main Street and in Bulldog Park, Crown Point. Free. crownpoint.in.gov.

German food specialties and other vendor favorites are showcased at this family friendly event with live music, beer garden, face painting, hayrides, a bean bag tournament and other contests and booths.

Portage Elvis Fantasy Festival: 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 14 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 15. Woodland Park Community Center, 2100 Willowcreek Road. Admission: $30-$195. 317-844-7354; elvisfantasyfest.com.

Celebrating the festival’s 31st year, multiple Elvis tribute concert events, vendor booths, themed food and Elvis merchandise are showcased in homage to The King.

Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.