Of Notoriety: Pierogi Fest nets Five for Fighting, fairs bring Ludacris, Bill Murray, Snoop
This weekend marks the Summer Solstice on June 22, which also means the path of shorter days begins while ushering in the second half of summer's bows.
It's also the prime of festival and fair season, with stage entertainment featuring marquee headliners.
The 31st Annual Pierogi Fest in Whiting is the weekend of July 25-27, and playing the free entertainment stage is Five For Fighting, led by singer John Ondrasik, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26, sponsored by Hard Rock Casino.
The songwriter and performer is a platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated name, whose first major single, 'Superman (It's Not Easy),' had constant radio play when it was released in 2000. Five For Fighting has released six studio LPs, including the platinum certified 'America Town' and 'The Battle for Everything,' along with the top-10 charting 'Two Lights.'
Ondrasik's writing includes major hits, including the chart-topping '100 Years,' 'The Riddle,' 'Chances,' 'World,' and 'Easy Tonight,' which combined have earned 2 billion streams and place him among the top-10 Hot Adult Contemporary artists for the 2000s. The reflective and melodic '100 Years' continues to stand the test of time as a new favorite in recent decades, played at weddings, birthdays, graduations and memorials.
Five For Fighting's music has also been featured in more than 350 films, television shows and commercials, including the Oscar-winning 'The Blind Side,' 'Hawaii Five-O,' 'The Sopranos' and the CBS drama, 'Code Black.'
The main stage at Pierogi Fest is just one of six performance stages at the festival, sprawling through 119th Street in downtown Whiting. Last year, Sugar Ray was the featured headliner and in 2023, Smash Mouth, and in previous years, The Village People. Featuring more than 50 musical performances and entertainment offerings this year, the festival will include more than 75 food booths, two beer gardens, and 55 arts and crafts and tchotchke vendors.
The following famed names and talents await fair audiences in July and August 2025:
LaPorte County Fair, July 5-12, welcomes country music newcomers Warren Zeiders and Austin Williams as a double-bill performing at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets range from $40 to $65, plus admission to the fair and parking are not free. FYI: https://lpfair.com/ or (219) 362-2647.
Porter County Fair is July 17-26, with rapper Ludacris performing on the Grand Stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 18. Tickets are $40 and $45 plus fair admission. Parking is free. FYI: www.portercountyfair.com or 219-462-0321.
Lake County Fair Aug. 1-10, country music new superstars Russell Dickerson and Niko Moon as a double-bill, 5 p.m. July 31. Tickets range from $39 to $111 plus fair admission. Parking is free. FYI: www.lake-county-fair.com or 219-663-3617
Indiana State Fair Friday Aug. 1-Sunday Aug. 17, with headliners: Aug. 1-Three Dog Night, Aug. 7-America, Aug. 8 – Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers, Aug. 13 – Happy Together Tour (The Turtles, The Vogues, Little Anthony, Jay and The Americans, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap), Aug. 14 – Phil Vassar and Lonestar – 7:30 pm, Aug. 15 – Melissa Etheridge. All concert times are at 7:30 p.m. EST. General seating is free with fair admission and a parking fee. General Reserved Access Tickets are $61 and Premium Reserved Access tickets, $81.50-$107.25. FYI: www.indianastatefair.com or 317-927-7500.
Illinois State Fair Aug. 7 through Aug. 17, with headlining concerts Aug. 8 – Jake Owen, Aug. 9 – The Black Crowes, Aug. 12 – Sheryl Crow, Aug. 13 – Snoop Dogg, Aug. 14 – Brad Paisley and Aug. 16 – Def Leppard. All concerts at 8 p.m. Ticket price range: $30-125 plus fair admission and parking fee. FYI: http://statefair.illinois.gov or 217-782-666.
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