The Chesterton Lions Club Duck Race Festival is all set to take place today and Saturday, June 26 and 27, in Thomas Centennial Park in downtown Chesterton.

The Duck Race itself will take place Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The Duck Race Festival will be filled with fun games and activities for young and old, craft booths, service-oriented booths, great food and a Saturday afternoon parade.

Bring your appetite, chairs, and blankets and spend a lovely summer evening in the park. Visit festival booths, sit down to a finger-lickin’ good barbecued chicken dinner and play fun games.

The whole family will enjoy the Lee Murdoch concert at 7 p.m. Friday. After the concert, settle in around the bandstand to take in the featured family movie. The concert and movie are provided by the Westchester Public Library.

From 5 to 8 p.m. the Chesterton Lions Club will be hosting a barbecue chicken dinner in Thomas Park.Ê

The dinner will include 1/4 BBQ chicken, cole slaw, potato salad, roll and butter and a drink, all for only $6.00.

Pre-sale tickets are available at Porter Bank, Byron's Barber Shop, from Jerry and Dawn Ruge, 787-8745, or any Chesterton Lions Club member.

Festival vendor hours are Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

*3 p.m. is kick-off time for the Tournament of Ducks Parade. The parade will begin at Chesterton Middle School, wind its way down 6th Street to Broadway, on to Calumet and then back on Porter Avenue.

*8 a.m. to 8 p.m., stroll though the many service-oriented and craft booths. Vision Screening for pre-school children through adults will be available Saturday in the Vision Screening Van and Booth on Broadway near the Bandstand.

Kids of all ages can try their luck at bingo in the ever-popular bingo tent sponsored by the Chesterton Moose Lodge. Wrist bands for all-day access to the Bounce Houses will give kids hours of fun. The Good Time Cloggers will perform at 1 and 3 p.m. on the entertainment stage. How strong are you, and how good is your aim? Put yourself to the test as you play the Striker and Ring Toss games hosted by the Lions.

*6:30 p.m. - Cheer your little ducky on to victory at the 11th Annual Duck Race which will take place in Coffee Creek, located directly behind the storefronts on the east side of Calumet. Tickets for the Duck Race will be available at the Chesterton Lions Club booth both Friday evening and all day Saturday, until just before race time. Tickets are 1 for $5, or 3 for $10.

Cool down and unwind on Saturday evening as you enjoy live music, dine on great food, and relax in the beer garden. And don't forget, the Chesterton Cruisin’ cars will be on hand from 5-8 p.m.

Donations of used eyeglasses and hearing aids will be accepted at the Chesterton Lions Club booth situated in the heart of the festival.

The proceeds from this event will benefit the Chesterton Lions Club's many community, district and state charity projects.