More than three decades ago, when we were invited to bring our festival to Northwest Indiana through the support of the Indiana Dunes tourism organization and the City of Portage, we could never have imagined the chapter that was about to begin.
We certainly could not have known that Portage would become our festival’s home for the next 34 years, or that our connection with Porter County Special Olympics would grow into such a meaningful part of our story.
What began as an invitation to bring Elvis fans together became so much more.
Over the years, generations of fans have traveled to Portage to celebrate the music and legacy of Elvis Presley. Incredible performers have taken the stage, lifelong friendships have formed, families have returned year after year, and countless memories have been made.
Most importantly, we were welcomed into a community that allowed our festival to grow while continuing the charitable mission that has guided our work from the beginning.
To the Special Olympics athletes and families who became such an important part of our festival family, thank you. Thank you for your friendship, your enthusiasm, your hard work and the joy you brought into the room each year. From volunteering and helping throughout the weekend to joining us during our Sunday celebration, you gave our festival some of its most meaningful and unforgettable moments.
Who could have imagined all those years ago how many lives would become connected through this event, how many friendships would be created, or how much good we would accomplish together in Elvis’s name?
To the City of Portage, the Indiana Dunes tourism community, our local supporters, volunteers, businesses, performers and every fan who joined us along the way, thank you for helping make this chapter possible.
Portage will always be part of our story.
As we prepare to bring the festival home to the Indianapolis area in 2027, where our family’s first Indiana Elvis Festival was held in 1978, we do so with tremendous gratitude for the home Northwest Indiana has given us since 1993.
But before this chapter closes, we have one more weekend together.
THE 34TH INDIANA ELVIS FANtasy FEST
October 9–11, 2026
Woodland Park Community Center
2100 Willowcreek Road
Portage, Indiana
We invite our Northwest Indiana friends, longtime supporters, Special Olympics athletes and families, and everyone who has ever been part of our festival family to join us one last time in Portage.
Weekend passes, individual day passes and single-session tickets are available, making it easy to join us for as much of the festival as your schedule allows. Enjoy our Friday Night Show, Saturday Night Show or the Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, which begins Saturday and concludes with the finals on Sunday.
Come celebrate the music and legacy of Elvis Presley, reconnect with old friends, make a few more memories and help us say thank you to the community that gave our festival such a wonderful home for 34 years.
This may be the conclusion of our Portage chapter, but the friendships, memories and history we created together will always remain part of the Indiana Elvis FANtasy Fest and TCP Memorial Benefit FAN Club family.
One last time in Portage. Then, see you in Indy in 2027!
With gratitude,
The Lipps Family
TCP Memorial Benefit FAN Club
Indiana Elvis FANtasy Fest Volunteer Team
Tickets and information:
www.ElvisFANtasyFest.com
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More than three decades ago, when we were invited to bring our festival to Northwest Indiana through the support of the Indiana Dunes tourism organization and the City of Portage, we could never have imagined the chapter that was about to begin. We certainly could not have known that Portage would become our festival’s home…
Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
