Those closest to me know my feelings about Northwest Indiana, affectionately called 'the region.' The fact that I’m writing anything positive about Crown Point is surprising. I will be the first to tell you that it’s a garbage city full of jerks. With that being said, there is a very cool happening in the Region that I feel is worth discussing.

On April 10, In-Pact Inc. will be hosting its second annual Inclusion Festival. In-Pact is a non-profit organization committed to providing lifestyles for people with developmental disabilities. The celebration is timed to coincide with other autism awareness campaigns during the month of April. Last year’s Inclusion Fest saw approximately three hundred people in attendance, and will likely be bigger and better this year.

The Radisson Hotel has been kind enough to donate its grand ballroom for the event. All developmentally disabled individuals will be admitted free of charge while the general public will be charged five dollars for admissions. In-Pact and the Radisson are not the only members of the community working to make this event great. Local band, Funnyman, will be playing two half hour sets. A magician has volunteered to perform in between the bands sets. Other carnival like activities will be available as well, such as face painting, balloon animals, and feather-hair braiding. All entertainers are active members of the community who have volunteered to help with the event. In-Pact is also in talks with Albanese Candy Factory to provide the concessions.

This year’s celebration has two main goals. The first being increased interactions between members of the North-west Indiana community and the developmentally disabled individuals. Ideally, the event will allow disabled individuals in the area to interact with members of the community that they would not ordinarily meet. Similar program providers, such as Trade Winds and Opportunity Enterprises, are also encouraging their clients to attend the event. With most of the entertainment in place, the 2016 Inclusion Fest is sure to be a fun and exciting way for community members to meet some of the amazing individuals living with Autism and other disabilities. The Inclusion Fest also has a fundraising component attached to it with the proceeds going to In-Pact’s most recent affordable housing project. In-Pact plans to buy back its original training facility in Crown Point, and renovate it into housing for its clients.

I highly encourage anyone in the area to attend if they are able. The disabled individuals and the people who work with them are some of the most incredible individuals you will have ever meet. Sure the entertainment will be worth the money, but that is not the true purpose of the event. Northwest Indiana has a large and thriving community of developmentally disabled individuals, yet most citizens are unaware of these people.

The Inclusion Fest is about introducing new people into the lives of these individuals, but you will find that they want to include you in your lives as well.