Duneland Chamber Fireworks Light Up the Night for Thousands

Duneland Chamber Fireworks Light Up the Night for Thousands

With over 15,000 community members blanketing the beach, the eighth annual Duneland Chamber Fireworks was held with friends, food, and of course...fireworks!

“This event is wholesome family fun in the beautiful setting of our Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore,” said Beth Luncsford, Duneland Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director. “A large fireworks display is a must for the 4th of July holiday. I love seeing all of the families spending time together. You get such a great sense of patriotism and community.”

Eight years ago, the Duneland Chamber started the event, leading to a family tradition for many families residing in Northwest Indiana. Minimal changes have been made in the past few years, however the fireworks were moved off a barge in the lake and to the beach just last year. Spectators enjoyed how up close the fireworks felt with the switch.

Click here to see all the photos from the Duneland Chamber Fireworks. 

President of the Duneland Chamber of Commerce Maura Durham said, “The Lakefront Fireworks is a testament that when our towns and county in the Duneland area, Chesterton, Burns Harbor, Porter, and the Porter County Commissioners, work together we can do big things for the region. The Duneland Chamber is proud to be the conduit for the towns to make those endeavors achievable. We will continue to take part in this event as long as our partners and community leaders continue to financially support the event and find the value into adding to our area’s overall quality of life.”

Attending the largest fireworks show in Northwest Indiana is not a simple ordeal. Eager guests arrive at the beach hours prior to the show to avoid traffic and experience all the event has to offer. Attendees spend time with family and friends while enjoying food trucks including Kona Ice, Designer Desserts, Hot Diggity Dawg, Ben’s Pretzels, and El Salto.

Valparaiso native Maddie Nondorf has been coming to the Duneland Fireworks for as long as she can remember.

“I like coming to [the Duneland Chamber Fireworks] every year because it brings people together that normally wouldn’t see each other,” Nondorf said. “I love seeing all my friends that I haven’t seen in awhile, especially in such a beautiful location that we are lucky to live by. It’s an evening that I look forward to every summer.”

How is such a large event successfully run each year? The Duneland Chamber of Commerce coordinates with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service, and local fire and police departments to make sure that everyone enjoys a fun and safe evening.

“A lot of time and effort goes into getting funding for this event,” said Luncsford. “This event would not be possible without the hard work of our staff, our generous organizations, businesses, and community sponsors, cooperation from the towns, police, fire. The DNR, and National Park Service. This is very much a group effort.”

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following event sponsors: Duneland School Corporation, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, National Park Service, Town of Chesterton, Indiana Burns Harbor, Duneland Economic Development Company, Porter County, WIMS Radio, Town of Porter, Teachers Credit Union, BMO Harris Bank, Centier, CLH P.C., Lakeside Wealth Management, Rotary Chesterton-Porter Club, Kona Ice, Addison Pointe Health & Rehabilitation, Winey Insurance Agency, HealthLinc, McShane’s Business Products & Solutions, VFW Post 2511, David’s Lawn care, Harris, Welsh & Lukmann, Horizon Bank, Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute, Porter Starke Services, Inc., First State Bank of Porter, Pure Air, Paul Boyter-McColly Real Estate, Anton Insurance Agency, Dan Keilman, State Farm Insurance-Kristoff, Modern Woodmen of America, Riley’s Railhouse, Hilton Garden Inn, Kittredge & Zehner P.C., Leroy’s “Hot Stuff” Homemade Mexican Food, Chesterton Manor, Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, Jim & Penny Starin, Third Coast Spice Cafe, United Way of Porter County, Shelton Fireworks, Tami Bianco-McColly Real Estate, Bruce & Cindy Mathias, Ennis Builders LLC, Hot Diggity Dawg, Brain Balance Center, Cohen & Sawochka, Rita Jackson Sculptor.