May 29, 2020

UPDATE: All VIP Pass and Parking Pass refunds have been processed. Depending on your bank/card system, it may take up to 7 days for the refund to appear as a credit in your account. If your refund does not appear by June 4th, please notify us via the Contact page.

May 28, 2020

Dear Friends,

The Festival of the Lakes has been Northwest Indiana’s largest music festival for more than 15 years. Over that time, the festival has brought all of us together to experience world-renowned music, family fun, and some of our favorite region foods. All of us look forward to the festival each summer and understand the festival signifies good summer fun with our friends and family.

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, these are exceptional times for all of us. In recent weeks, I have had to consider the local, state and national guidelines and orders as they relate to the festival. It is the City’s mission to provide a festival each year, but it is also my top priority to look after the well-being, health, and safety of all those involved in bringing about a successful festival. This includes the festival attendees, employees, volunteers, vendors and countless others.

It is with profound disappointment that I have to announce that Festival of the Lakes cannot take place July 15-19, 2020.

I understand this situation is extremely hard on us all. As a community, we are sad, disappointed, and angry – but also hopeful, because we know that we are much stronger than this setback. What we started together in 2004 has become the best summer event in Northwest Indiana. We will get through this together.

Anyone who was planning to experience Festival of the Lakes in July 2020 will now have dozens of questions. That makes perfect sense, and I fully understand.

As a general guideline, I can already say that all tickets will be fully refunded. We hope to have this process completed within 14 days.

Despite the enormous disappointment, I would like to call on everyone again to follow all government guidelines closely. Stay at home as much as you can, wear face coverings where appropriate, wash your hands, and follow social distancing guidelines. Do it for yourself, your loved ones, and for all the essential workers.

Take good care of each other and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Thomas M. McDermott, Jr.
Mayor