ELKFEST | Hobart

BPO Elks Lodge 1152 will host its 25th annual Elkfest from 2 to 11 p.m. Aug. 23 and 24 at the lodge hall, 3580 W. 61st Ave. Menu both days includes BBQ lamb, fried chicken and spaghetti, with the dining room open 2-8 Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 Sunday. Bake sale, casino, bingo, food tent with burgers, hot dogs, sausage and soft drinks, beer garden and music by Hit & Run. A Texas Hold 'Em Tournament will begin at noon Aug. 23; buy in is $100 with one $50 re-buy and 200 extra chips for those who register in advance.

FYI: Call (219) 942-1152.

BANDS BATTLE | Highland

The Highland Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the Battle on the Square at Midwest Zest Fest. The event will be noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 6. The winner gets a cash prize, open for the headlining band and other rewards. Applications are available at various local locations and at www.midwestzestfest.com. Band members must all be younger than 21 and have at least one original song. This event is open to bands everywhere. Applicants can send in the $20 per band fee and application/contract with promo kit to the Highland Chamber of Commerce, 8536 Kennedy Ave., Highland, IN 46322. Myspace pages will count as promo kits if music samples are on the site.

BOWL AT THE LIBRARY | Hobart

Adults 55 and older are invited to participate in a Nintendo Wii Bowling Tournament from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Lake County Public Library's Hobart branch, 100 N. Main St. Learn how to use this new gaming technology while having fun. A short training session will be held prior to the tournament. Call to register.

FYI: Call (219) 942-2243.

HOG ROAST | Hebron

Annual Mission Fair/Hog Roast will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 23 at Range Line Presbyterian Church, 18095 Clay St., just east of Interstate 65 and north of Ind. 2. Admission is free and the church will be serving pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, chips and watermelon. Play bingo or a game of corn hole while the children enjoy the Moonwalk. The church's mission partners will set up displays.

FYI: Call (219) 996-8746.

BACK TO SCHOOL | Gary

Bibleway Church of God's Word, 220 E. 49th Ave., hosts its annual Back to School Blacktop Praise event from noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 23. The community is welcome to enjoy praise and worship, gospel rap, praise dancing, refreshments and more.

FYI: Call (219) 884-8730.

SCRAPPING WORKSHOP | Hobart

A free Scrapbooking Workshop will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at Inland Manor Baptist Church, 630 N. County Line Road. All women are invited to attend. Bring a friend for an evening of working on current scrapbooking projects or to learn how to scrapbook. RSVP.

FYI: Call (219) 734-6439.

SENIOR ARTISTS | Hammond

Hammond Public Library seeks artists 55 and older for its 18th annual Senior Art Exhibit, which runs Sept. 2 to Oct. 26. Artists may enter up to two original works in this juried show. A flyer with further rules is available by calling Scott Kingery.

FYI: Call (219) 931-5100, ext. 302.

MODERN TREASURE HUNT | Leroy

A Geocache Event will be held Aug. 19 at Stoney Run County Park , 142nd and Union Street. A gate fee will be charged, but participation in this modern treasure hunt is free. Cachers from nearby and around the world are invited to meet and greet each other and find new caches that will be unveiled during the event. Details and updates will be made on the cache web page, www.geocaching.com RSVP's are encouraged via the geocaching web site

FYI: Call the park program office at (219) 947-PARK.

SHOPPING TRIP | Munster

Munster Parks and Recreation Department offers a trip to Old Orchard on Sept. 24. Cost is $30 for residents, $35 for nonresidents and $28 for Keen-Agers. Register at Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Road.

FYI: Call (219) 836-PARK.

MOVIE NIGHT | Crown Point

Join the Crown Point Parks and Recreation Department for a free family movie night at dusk Aug. 23 at Kaiser Park on South Main Street, next to Eisenhower Elementary School. Sponsored by Citizens Financial Bank and Midnight Towing, the Disney film "A Walk to Remember," rated PG, will be shown on a 15-by-20-foor screen. Bring blankets or chairs for seating and the movie will start at dusk (about 8:15 p.m.). Refreshments will be available for purchase.

FYI: Call (219) 661-2271.

DOO-WOP GROUP | Calumet Area

Remember When, a doo-wop, a capella vocal group, will perform at the 50th reunion for the 1958 class of Hammond Tech on Sept. 6. The group is made up of 1958 and 1959 graduates of the school. They are Harold Hull, who sang with The Kingsmen from 1955-621 Bob Luther, who sang with The Kingsmen from 1955-62; Bill Schmidt, who sang with The Gents in 1957, The Premiers from 1958 to 60, Yesterdays' Rhythm from 1976-79 and with Chorus of the Dunes 1968-72; and Mike Whitmore, who sang with The Gents in 1957, the Premiers from 1958-60, Yesterdays' Rhythm from 1976-88 and Stormy Weather from 1988-92. They came together about a year ago following Hammond Tech's annual Music Night. Since then, the group has been practicing weekly and sings at benefits and community events.

FYI: Call (219) 845-6909.

SEEKING TALENT | Hobart

County Line Orchard on County Line Road is looking for local performers to entertain during its Orchard Time festivities this fall. The orchard is sponsoring the event each Saturday and Sunday in September and October beginning Sept. 6, said Margo Brown, events director. Local performers will be able to showcase their talents either indoors our outdoors from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

FYI: Call Margo Brown at (219) 947-4477, ext. 2106.

FRIENDSHIP CLUB | Munster

Sponsored by Jewish Community Services of the Jewish Federation of NWI, the Adult Friendship Club meets at noon Mondays and Wednesdays for a home-cooked lunch and socializing. Join the group at Congregation Beth Israel, 535 Progress Ave. Music, speakers and other activities are enjoyed, along with holiday meals and monthly outings. Transportation is available.

FYI: Call (219) 923-9387.

BINGO TIME | Shelby

Adults will play bingo for novelty prizes at 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Lowell Public Library's Shelby branch, 23321 Shelby Road.

FYI: Call (219) 552-0809.

RIVER FESTIVAL | Kouts

Kankakee Valley Historical Society will host the inaugural Aukiki River Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 23 at 1099 Baums Bridge Road. Take an experiential voyage through time - 1700s-1920s - with vintage base ball, authentic Appalachian music, French Voyageur, Native American and Fur Trader encampments, and more. Food concessions will be available. The historic Collier Lodge and the Kankakee River set the backdrop for a day of fun for the entire family. The Annual Kouts Pork Fest is only five minutes away.

FYI: Visit www.kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org or call (219) 766-2302.

FALL HARVEST | Griffith

Applications are being accepted for the annual Fall Harvest Craft Show held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27 and 28 at Central Park on Broad Street. Only hand-made items are accepted.

FYI: Call (219) 922-6590 or (219) 838-1025 or e-mail jmepme6059@att.net or e-mail:kencarol@sbcglobal.net.

VISIT THE DINER | Michigan City

Dunes Arts Foundation presents the musical "Pump Boys and Dinettes" at 8 p.m.

Aug. 22, 23, 29, 30, and at 7 p.m. Aug. 24, 31 at the Dunes Summer Theatre,

288 Shady Oak Drive. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students

FYI: Call (219) 879-7509 or visit dunessummertheatre.com