Beneath an unclouded Indiana sky, the Crown Point Food and Arts Festival was a sight for sore eyes and an adventure for hungry tummies Friday night. The event, which continues through Saturday, boasts artists showcasing their wares to the busy, delighted crowds as they weave happily through the tent-lined aisles. Adults and kids alike had no shortage of activities, treats, or shoppes to experience.
The hot weather wasn’t even able to stop the community from venturing out and enjoying the decades-old annual festival, and it's easy to see why. There was something for everyone: a “beer garden” featuring live music as well as a raffle, artisan gifts for sale, and plenty of delicious classic summer-food vendors. Local restaurants showed up to the party too, showcasing their finest dishes for the public to enjoy.
“I love it,” said Maria Hamilton, representing the Porkchop restaurant in Southlake Mall, which specializes in delicious wings, smoked pork, and lots of creamy mac 'n' cheese. “You see a lot of different stuff and get to try all the different vendors.”
Only on rare occasions can you sample so many local restaurants at once, a fact that the community was relishing. Families were able to disperse into the bustling square to choose their own adventure for dinner, then reconvene at the same table to savor their selections as a family. And for dessert, folks could take their pick of a wide variety of sweets. One booth, Jill's Sweets and Treats, would even dip a delicious cheesecake or frozen banana in chocolate!
Jane Fielder, one of the event's most delighted eaters, said she made spontaneous plans to travel from Eastern Illinois for one major reason.
“I said to myself, ‘Hop in the car, let's go,’” said Jane. “I need to eat fried dough!”
The centerpiece of the occasion for some was an experience you couldn't get anywhere else: a marriage ceremony performed live on the courthouse steps.
Crown Point has a historic past when it comes to matrimony. Couples flocked to the Hub to declare their love. While some states had strict requirements for brides and grooms, Crown Point's laws made it easy to have your marriage officiated on-the-spot. This led to the town's designation as a so-called “marriage mill,” making Crown Point's courthouse a popular site until the 1940's. Celebrities like Katherine and Joe Jackson, Ronald Reagan, and Mohammed Ali, to name a few, all had Crown Point “marriage mill” weddings.
Click Here for AJ's Account of the Ceremony
In order to commemorate that tradition, a couple was joined in marriage by a justice of the peace on the courthouse steps, in full view of the public.
There was plenty of entertainment for kids, too. Bounce-houses and other inflatable amusements were set up on the courthouse lawn for kids to enjoy. Classic county fair games like hook-a-duck and the balloon darts challenge awaited sun-soaked youngsters, too. Such classic games of skill require patience, making it all the more important that the youth of today see these enduring amusements for themselves.
Crown Point is regularly treated to outdoor festivities at the heart of town. Just off the heels of last weekend's annual Corn Roast, the community's appetite for fun in the sun remained exceptionally high, which led to back-to-back weekends with wonderful turnouts, according to Sue Reed, President and CEO of the Crossroads Chamber of Commerce.
“For two weekends in a row we have two different, but great, community events to bring people out, and support local business,” said Reed. “It's exciting!”
The festivities will continue through tomorrow, so if you missed it, you still have a chance to check out the Crown Point Food and Arts Festival on the square. Come on out and find your fun! For more information about the Crossroads Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.crossroadschamber.org.
