This weekend in Gary, IN

Hyde Park’s monthly pancake breakfast invites the community to enjoy a complimentary morning meal and conversation. Freshly made pancakes are served in unlimited portions, along with sausage, orange juice, and milk. The gathering takes place at the church and offers a friendly setting to meet neighbors and connect with others. For more details, please contact the organizers.

A garden work day takes place at Stewart House Urban Farm and Garden. Board members will be on site to start the water system, provide access to tools, and share practical gardening tips with volunteers and gardeners.

Celebrate the season at the Harvest Festival at Portage Founders Square. Enjoy live music from Hicks Duo and High Street alongside a wide variety of food trucks. A beer garden will offer assorted beverages, and family-friendly games will be available. Browse booths featuring local artisans, bakers, and crafters for unique finds. Children can have fun with a bounce house, face painting, and time at Hannah’s Hope Playground. Admission is free, and parking is plentiful.

Dragon’s Lair hosts a free weekly Disney Lorcana open play night centered on player choice and a welcoming atmosphere. Illuminers of any experience level, format preference, or deck-building style are invited to hang out and play the way they like. Choose your opponents, set up multiplayer games, stick to Core only if you want to skip Infinity, learn the basics with help, or test a new list with a friend. There are no forced pairings or mismatched power levels, just find a group that fits and enjoy the games. Participation includes a promo and an entry in a weekly raffle for additional prizes, and if you need to leave early, raffle winnings can be picked up later. Framed as a relaxed alternative to weekly tournaments, this gathering emphasizes community, flexibility, and fun.

Tiny’s hosts Marco Villareal for an evening of jazz fusion that blends familiar pop favorites with classic jazz selections. The performance is shaped for a calm, easygoing evening, well suited to dinner and cocktails.

This monthly, award-winning spoken word showcase features hosts Red Rah and Big Sexii, a spotlighted poet, and live music. Enjoy the Dialogue Effect with unique handcrafted drinks, and expect CeeQ’s to satisfy taste buds before the night shifts into a dance party. Open mic sets are available, limited to 10 minutes per performance. Cover is $10 and attendees must be 21.

Open to ages 10 and up, this nature journaling session encourages participants to strengthen memory, find a sense of calm, and add a useful creative skill to everyday life. No prior experience is required. The plan is to be outside if the weather cooperates, with an indoor option available if needed. Bring a notebook or loose paper, a pen and a pencil, and a lawn chair. Pre-registration is recommended.