On the evening of Wednesday, December 18, the City of Crown Point hosted the annual Holiday Get Together in the historic Old Lake County Courthouse’s Maki Ballroom. The Crown Point Community Foundation, The Grand Catering and Events, the Lake Court House Foundation, the Crown Point Chamber, Crown Brewing, Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Lake County Historical Society/Museum partnered with the City of Crown Point to host this event. Representatives of organizations from throughout Crown Point and the Region were present for this event, ready to enjoy some holiday cheer and fellowship.
Mayor of Crown Point Pete Land views the Holiday Get Together as one of the year’s most important events.
“The Holiday Get Together celebrates community, which is what Crown Point is all about,” Land said. “This event brings our small businesses, organizations, and local stakeholders together in the heart of our downtown to celebrate a successful year of events and invaluable partnerships. Our city motto is ‘Building a Stronger Community from Within’ and our small businesses and organizations have worked tirelessly to achieve that goal. Crown Point would not be as strong as it is if it weren’t for them. We’re grateful to our partners for hosting the event with us. I hope everyone leaves feeling Crown Point’s hometown spirit and looking forward to another year of great partnerships.”
Representatives from organizations like Franciscan Health Foundation, Purdue Federal Credit Union, CertaPro Painters of Northwest Indiana, Meals on Wheels Northwest Indiana, APAC Centers for Pain Management, and Regional Care Group, numbered among the attendees
Before merging with the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce to form the Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2009, the Greater Crown Point Chamber of Commerce helped sponsor the Holiday Get Together. Even after the merger, Crossroads Chamber continues to sponsor this event that has been a Crown Point tradition for over four decades. Deann Patena, president and CEO of Crossroads Chamber, is pleased that her organization continues to carry on the Holiday Get Together’s legacy.
“This event is so much fun, I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Patena said. “Everyone is talking and having a great time. This is my last event of the season, and I think it’s a great way to wrap things up. The Holiday Get Together gives Crown Point's community members and business owners the chance to celebrate one another and everything we do for our local communities. Crown Point’s small-town feel is one of its greatest strengths and you can definitely feel that warm energy here tonight. We, at Crossroads Chamber, are so happy to be a part of this event and we love working with the City of Crown Point to put it on.”
As they conversed with one another, the attendees enjoyed burgers, chicken, a varied assortment of finger foods, cookies, and even make-your-own nachos. They refreshed themselves with coffee as well as beer, wine, and cocktails from the open bar. When they weren’t eating or chatting with friends, they posed for photos in front of the Christmas-themed backdrop.
Ken Michaels, financial planner at Wisely Advised and president of the Crown Point Chamber, enjoys helping others make connections at the Holiday Get Together.
“It’s always nice to get people from the community together at an event like this,” Michaels said. “The Old Lake County Courthouse is an excellent location for this event because it is the heart and soul of Crown Point. Coming to the Maki Ballroom is like stepping back in time. People are generally in a happy mood during the holidays and that positivity facilitates networking at the Holiday Get Together. When you’re in business, you don’t have much time to mingle with other businesspeople. This event is a great opportunity for us to make connections that we might not be able to make on a day-to-day basis. It’s a great way to end the year.”
Please visit crownpoint.in.gov if you are interested in learning more about City of Crown Point’s upcoming projects and events.
