Now in year 11, a calculation that includes the missed year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Whiting’s annual weekend fright festival opens for 2026 for one weekend only at 5 p.m. Friday, and then from noon through 11 p.m. Saturday. This fiendishly fun romp puts the spotlight on Whihala the Witch and her ring of dancing circle sister witches, as well as fire-eaters, costume contests, games, food, paranormal investigations and scary displays. Note the Saturday daytime fest hours are more kid-friendly, with spookier fun unfolding at dusk. New this year at 6 p.m. Friday, Bob Anderson of Whiting, host of the weekly radio show and podcast “Bob After Dark,” is joined by his friendly smiling vampire sidekick for a free panel discussion of local haunts, hosted on the Oliver Street Stage. Visit wickedlywhiting.com for the full events schedule or call 219-659-0292.
‘JERSEY SHORE’ NAME
Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio, the tanned and toned reality show personality from the MTV series “Jersey Shore,” made headlines this weekend after he announced he was engaged to his longtime girlfriend Nikki Hall during a surprise proposal Sept. 27 at the OMNIA Dayclub at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. On Friday, “DJ Pauly D” is front and center on the outdoor stage at Bulldog Park in Crown Point for a DJ show from 5-11 p.m. It’s unclear whether Pauly, age 46, will have his bride-to-be at his turntable side. Ticket options are $40 general admission/standing room, VIP near stage $65, and $1,000 for a VIP cabana accommodating nine guests with private bathrooms and a private bar. A lawn chair pass option is sold out. For more details, visit www.crownpoint.in.gov or call 219-661-2271.
OKTOBERFESTS ABOUND
Harvest Tyme Farm Park in Lowell, the pumpkin patch and family fun landscape, is hosting its Oktoberfest 6:30-9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. It will feature a beer garden, food vendors and German-inspired games. Harvest Tyme Park and Pumpkin Patch is located at 17904 Grant St. in Lowell. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.harvesttymefun.com or call (219) 440-2386. St. John unveils the premiere of its own Oktoberfest from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, and it continues from 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, with a final day from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Hosted on property at St. John Evangelist Catholic Church, there will be live stage music, German-themed fare and a selection of German brews. Free admission with events all held in the church parking lot at 9400 Wicker Ave. in St. John. Call 219-365-5678 or visit www.stjohnparish.org. The following weekend, more German flair and food fun come to Griffith Central Park, 600 N Broad St., to celebrate the sixth annual Griffith Oktoberfest Oct. 9-11. German food and beverage specialties and local microbrewery favorites highlight dining options, along with live music and children’s activities. Admission is free. For more information, visit the Griffith Oktoberfest event page on Facebook or call 219-924-7500.
ART OPPORTUNITY
For more than 60 years, the Chesterton Art Center has celebrated community talent and artistic endeavors. On Saturday starting at 10 a.m., there will be print shop demonstrations before the 1 p.m. opening celebration for the 2026 Street Print Fest. This free annual event, coordinated by Executive Director Hannah Hammond-Hagman, Education Director Cara Schmitt, and the art center team, has a focus on the art of printmaking for guests to meet and learn from local printmakers with a chance for guests to create their own original prints. After establishing the first juried Chesterton Art Fair, a group of local artists in 1960 founded the nonprofit Association of Artists & Craftsmen of Porter County (AACPC). Back then, the original Art Center was located on the top floor of the Main Street building at 119 S. Calumet Road in Chesterton. In the 1970s, the historic machine shop building on 4th Street was acquired and christened the Gilbert Gallery. The Center’s name later changed to the Chesterton Art Gallery, and then the Chesterton Art Center. Based at 115 S. 4th St., Chesterton, for more information call 219-926-4711 or go to www.chestertonart.com.
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‘LOVE’ ACTS
The world premiere of the stage play “Back to Love,” a vibrant new dramedy written and directed by Stacye Clark, blending sharp humor, heartfelt storytelling and what she describes as “soul-stirring moments,” opens this weekend at 3 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. For tickets, visit http://www.paulamariemedia.com/back-to-lovewww.paulamariemedia.com/back-to-love. Clark is a writer, producer and director known for emotionally rich, heart-felt productions blending humor, depth and spiritual truth. She said her play inspires audiences “to reflect, heal and grow.”
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at [email protected].