On the afternoon of June 23, the City of Lake Station hosted the third and final day of its second annual Vet Fest. This year’s Vet Fest featured a wide array of activities, including a moving presentation of the colors ceremony in which the American flag was displayed and a formal gun salute delivered. The event featured live music, several food trucks, and artisan vendors. Rose Colovos, a member of the Friends in Gratitude Helping Together (FIGHT) city beautification organization and a Vet Fest volunteer, believes that the Vet Fest is an excellent way to raise awareness for the difficulties that veterans experience.
“We have a lot of veterans in our community who need help,” Colovos said. “We invited representatives from several veteran service organizations to be here at Vet Fest. My hope is that the veterans of our community were able to come out and at least speak to some of the representatives from these organizations and learn how they can get the help they need. The Vet Fest is about celebrating our veterans, too. This is a special celebration and one that you don’t get to attend every day, so I think we need to take the time to enjoy it. I also hope this event helps the attendees feel a greater sense of patriotism. We're always so divided as a nation these days, but we just need to come together.”
Fourteen veteran service organizations set up tables and stalls to distribute information among the veterans in attendance. These included the American Legion, Gary Area Vet Center, and Hero Hut, an nonprofit that sets up community areas for veterans and first responders to network and socialize at events all over the nation. The Vet Fest also featured several artisan vendors including Amelia’s Art, Scents by Monáe, and Rosary’s By Ivy. Steven Kane, an attendee at the event, appreciates the opportunity to engage with his fellow community members.
“I heard about the Vet Fest on the web and I decided to check it out,” Kane said. “I had a good time and I think everyone else did too. It's a great neighborhood festival and if you live here in Lake Station you really should come out, meet people, spend a little money, and support it. It’s great seeing how much the people in our city care because our veterans need that, just like everybody else.”
Attendees of all ages played in the foam being sprayed from a giant foam cannon. Young attendees could get face paint and body glitter at the Impulsive booth or enjoy one of the bright toys sold at the Lights of Fun trailer. Food vendors like Legendary Cheesesteaks, Jacks Tornado Potato, and B.C. Eatery On the Go kept attendees satisfied with a wide selection of delicious fare. Snowy Skyline, which is veteran-owned, helped attendees stay cool with some delicious shaved ice. Cynthia Rodriguez, a United States Army staff sergeant of ten years, was working the Snowy Skyline trailer. She is grateful to have had the chance to participate in the festivities.
“It’s been an honor to be at the Vet Fest and support our community’s veterans,” Rodriguez said. “We have to give back to them because they’ve served our country and our community in so many ways. They had to leave their families and were away from home for long periods of time and I thank them for making those sacrifices. I appreciate the fact that this event is held in the city where I live and that the proceeds help support veterans. I hope that everyone who attended this year’s Vet Fest will spread the word to their fellow community members. That way, it can become even larger and more people will get to experience this beautiful event next year.”
Please visit lakestation-in.gov to learn more about the City of Lake Station and its upcoming events.
