Crown Point Wine Fest creates a fun and memorable evening for attendees

Downtown Crown Point was packed and lively on Saturday, September 12, as the City of Crown Point Wine Fest took over Bulldog Park. Hundreds of attendees filled the park for the evening to try new alcohol, eat good food, and listen to live music with friends and family.

Featuring fine wines and alcohol from Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan, attendees were able to sample a variety of drinks throughout the evening. Along with alcohol tasting, people were also able to enjoy live entertainment from Frank Ruvoli and The Moods, as well as good eats from local restaurants. Vendors included Crown Brewing, Cultured Urban Winery, Battista’s Artisan Pizza, Johnson Brothers, Mr. Cheezycakes, and more.

Special Events Director Diana Bosse said this year they added more vendors and had a variety of drink options outside of wine. Bosse also said that their goal for city-hosted events is to always uplift the local business community, and the Wine Fest is another great way for local businesses to showcase their offerings to the community. She hopes attendees were able to enjoy the night out with family and friends, while enjoying great music, small bites, and local wines.

“Wine Fest is one of our last city-hosted events before we transition over to the fall,” Bosse said. “It’s so special to have one last big summer celebration under the Franciscan Health Pavilion at Bulldog Park.”

Bosse’s favorite part of the fest is the live entertainment, which many attendees also enjoyed and were able to relax while listening to music. Attendees were able to sit and enjoy the summer evening near the outdoor fireplaces or in the field, listening to music and dancing together.

“We work with Tom Lounges entertainment to coordinate artists for this event. They always do a great job at keeping the energy high,” Bosse said.

For Christina, a resident of St. John, this was her first time attending the Crown Point Wine Fest. She and her friends love Crown Point and always have fun going out in the town, so they decided to attend the Wine Fest together.

“Events like this really help the community come together, get to know each other, and have fun,” she said.

Entry to this 21-plus event was ticketed, and doors opened at 5 p.m. for VIP attendees and 6 p.m. for general admission. VIP tickets were $99, and included early entrance, a VIP tasting with premium wines, a swag bag, and a food ticket. General admission tickets were $59 and included a commemorative wine tumbler.

Originally beginning in 2024, this was the third year of the Wine Fest. The idea came from a meeting discussing new events and from community feedback, Bosse said. Bosse is excited to continue this new tradition.

“We hope to see the event grow every year. I don’t want to reveal too much, but we have some fun ideas for the 2027 Wine Fest,” said Bosse.

To learn more about the City of Crown Point and its events, visit crownpoint.in.gov.