“The region’s first
Progresstival (Progressive Festival) will be held on Sunday, July 23, from
2:00 to 5:00 p.m., at Zao Island Mini-Golf and Event Center in Valparaiso,
Indiana. The Northwest Indiana Progresstival is envisioned as a joint
community-building and networking event where any and all
progressively-minded groups can come together for celebrating the new wave
of political activism, raising awareness about a particular cause, and
building a shared platform for collective action. This mini-golf course will
be turned into a progressive playground
A range of
grassroots organizations and nonprofits will be on hand to engage the public
on who they are, what their group is about, and how ordinary citizens can
get involved. Groups sponsoring tables at the Northwest Indiana
Progresstival include: Progressives in Action Northwest Indiana (Progresstival
Facilitator); Civic Engagement Boot Camp; Valparaiso Democratic Committee;
NWI Indiana Green Party; NWI Showing Up for Racial Justice; 350IN-Calumet;
NWI Supporting Women; Hoosier Women On the March; NWI National Organization
of Women; First Unitarian Church of Hobart, Indiana Faith in Action Group;
CoThrive Timebank; Michigan City Social Justice Group; Planned Parenthood
Advocates of Indiana and Kentucky. These groups, among others, will be
sharing information within the event center and along the greens. Group
promotion table is at no cost. Groups have until July 19 to register.
This event is not
in support of any particular party; any party that identifies with
progressive causes is welcome.
'We wanted to
create a fun and family-oriented festival for progressive groups and the
community-at-large to connect,” said PIANWI organizer Tina Rongers. “Easy
access. No formal meetings. No commitments. Letting people know what all is
going on in the progressive community while they play miniature golf or walk
around.” she said.
“We're also hosting
a Meet and Mingle in the event center where anyone can chat with community
leaders and volunteers,” added fellow organizer Kate Sanders. “It's all very
casual and welcoming.”
“PIANWI came to
life organically, as just a small group of people around a table who wanted
to unite community members and transform the political landscape,” said
Rongers. “The Progresstival will harness the local energy of many groups and
create the space for cross-pollinating efforts through collaboration.”
According to
Sanders, “Many organizations have been working on progressive issues for
years, and newer groups like ours are joining these efforts to create
positive change. The Progresstival is a way to bring together experienced
hands, new faces, and curious community members to see who we are and what
we all do.”
Northwest Indiana
Progresstival Schedule
Doors Open at 2
p.m. 2:30 p.m.--5 Minutes at the Mic for Group Leaders. 3:30 p.m.--Community
Conversation on Collective Action. 4:45 p.m.--Wrap Up. General Admittance is
free. Unlimited Miniature Golf is $10 per ticket. Everyone is welcome to
attend the Meet and Mingle in the Event Center at no charge. Tickets will be
available at the door or in advance on
www.progressivesinactionnwi.org/progresstival.
RSVP and/or receive
the latest news, updates and group links regarding the Northwest Indiana
Progresstival on Facebook, at
www.facebook.com/progresstival/.