Northwest Indiana Pride Festival organizers are gearing up for a second year of festivities celebrating Gay Pride Month on Saturday and Sunday at Riverview Park in Lake Station.

This year’s event includes more entertainment vendors and has drawn more sponsors and food trucks, said Leah Peksenak, of Portage, president of NWI Pridefest.

“This year’s slogan is ‘bigger, louder, prouder,’ ” she said.

U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, is slated to address attendees at noon Sunday, she said. It marks Mrvan’s first appearance.

Tuesday, the city’s Board of Works approved two agreements with the group for indemnification and liability, protecting the city in case of negligence.

A memorandum of understanding calls for NWI Pride to supervise the event, coordinate vendors and parking.

The city will provide police officers, within its discretion.

NWI Pride agreed to pay $5,000 to hold the two-day event.

“The last one went smoothly,” Carroll said. “The weather was off, but it was still OK.

“This world, people believe what they want to believe. We didn’t see any hate that day. And, you know, that was good. And it’s also good that the city of Lake Station is a safe spot.”

The two-day event runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. A two-day general admission is $17.50 or $10 each day. It’s $8 to use the nearby city pool and a VIP admission is $100.

Peksenak said the event’s beneficiary is IYG, a nonprofit that assists young gay people suffering from housing insecurity. It has a location on U.S. 30 in Schererville.

Peksenak said festivalgoers are also invited to play pickleball on the city’s new courts in the park at 2701 Ripley St.

Some of the events include a petting zoo, a mechanical bull and a magician.

Several of the sponsors are faith-based including Marquette Park United Methodist Church, Gary, Hobart First United Methodist Church, First Christian Church, Valparaiso, Hobart First Unitarian, Temple Israel, Gary, Immanuel United Church of Christ, Highland, Unity of NWI, and INUMC Diversity, Missions, and Justice Ministries.

Peksenak said an interfaith service will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday.

LGBTQ Porter County is sponsoring several events this month, as well.

On June 12, there a dress-up with Pride at the group’s location, 201 Washington St. Other events include:

June 14: “Love is Love 5K,” 8 a.m., Bluhm County Park, Westville.

June 19: Querroake, 7-8:30 p.m., 201 Washington St.

June 20: Paint with Pride, 6-8 p.m., Dogwood Park, Chesterton.

June 22: Coming Together Picnic, 2-6 p.m., Kirchhoff Park, Valparaiso.

June 26: LGBTQ film screening, 5-7 p.m., Valparaiso Public Library.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter.