Top 10 ValpoLife Photos of 2012

PhotoArticleImageVLThis year just seemed to fly by. It seemed like we were ringing in 2012 five minutes ago. Good thing we take tons of great photos here at ValpoLife! We were able to capture some amazing moment on camera.

Let us present to you, for your viewing pleasure, the Top 10 ValpoLife Photos of 2012!

 

Ringing in the Spring 2012

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A record crowd turned out in Valparaiso on Saturday, April 7, 2012 for the Valparaiso YMCA’s “Ringing in Spring” race, featuring a 5K walk/run, and a 10K run. Over 2,000 racers participated of all ages, sizes, and abilities.

All of the nearly 1,200 photos (along with all of the other ValpoLife photos) are available online to view or purchase starting as low as $4 for a print or digital copy. Read more...

 

Mudathlon 2012

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Thousands converged on the Greaber Family Farms in Valparaiso for the 2012 Northwest Indiana Mudathlon, the third year the annual mud/obstacle course race has held its event at the farms.

With over 2,000 participants and another 1,000-or-so spectators, the event was packed with people having a great time before, during and after the races. The mudathletes climbed, crawled, slid, and ran through the three-mile course, which featured 40 obstacles that challenged the runners. Read more...

 

vhs-prom

VHS Prom Grand March

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The students of Valparaiso High School dressed to impress for their 2012 Prom.

Here, the students participated in the grand march which is a traditional pre-prom activity.

 

VHS Graduation 2012

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Students stood proudly for the day that marked a turning point in their lives. The VHS Graduation took place on the football field on a bright sunny day. The bleachers were filled with families and friends of the students and they all looked on proudly during the ceremony

Each student smiled brightly as their diplomas were handed to them. The promise of a bright future shined brightly before them. All they had to do was move forward!

 

Tickets for the 2012 Valpo Brewfest Sold Out for a Reason!

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As September came to a close, the city of Valparaiso welcomed the nuances that fall offered: the bright colors of the turning leaves, the lovely nip in the air as sweltering summer came to a close, and Valpo Brewfest!

This is the third year that the Valpo Brewfest has been up and running. It is a part of a growing trend of beer festivals that are popping up all over the US. Tickets for the fest sold out months ago and there were about 2500 people in attendance that day. 53 breweries set up their booths throughout the Central Park Plaza on Saturday afternoon. They shared the space with local food vendors, and live music which was performed by Fresh Hops. Curt Foreman, President of BrewFest Partners, gave me some background information on Valpo Brewfest. Read more...

 

2012 Popcorn Festival

Click here to see the photo gallery for the Popcorn Panic!

Click here to view photos of the Lit'l Kernel Puff Race!!

Click here to see more photos of the Popcorn Fest!!

Click here to see the full gallery of the Orville Redenbacher Parade!!

Please tell me that you made it out to the 34th Annual Popcorn Fest. If you did make it out, then you already know that it was awesome! If not, then let me have the pleasure of keeping you informed.

Let’s go chronologically, shall we? Throughout the week preceding the Popcorn Fest, events were held in downtown Valparaiso to get ready for the main event. Local restaurants and charities served lunch or dinner, there was a Corn Hole tournament, a race, and a cutest baby contest finals. Also, a spiffy new statue was unveiled at Central Park Plaza on Tuesday morning. It was Orville Redenbacher lounging on a park bench. It has a good likeness indeed. Read more...

 

Valpo Downtown Trick-or-Treat

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Leaves spiraled through the air and pale streaks of October sunlight illuminated the eager faces of young trick-or-treaters in downtown Valparaiso on Friday afternoon. Dressed in imaginative and magical costumes, children and their parents trick-or-treated at local businesses for the annual Halloween celebration.

Daring ninjas, lovely princesses, hungry zombies, regal Count Draculas and even a few Darth Vaders flooded Lincolnway and Central Park Plaza despite the chilly temperatures. Musicians entertained the crowd from the amphitheater stage. Business on the outskirts of downtown set up booths and table in the park, and Valpo firefighters and police attended to represent the city and take part in the festivities. Read more...

 

 

VHS Homecoming 2012

Click here to see the complete photo gallery of the pep rally and parade!

Click here to view the Homecoming Game photo gallery!

Last week as leaves in Northwest Indiana turned red and brown, Valparaiso turned green for Valparaiso High School’s 2012 Homecoming week!

We were out with the crowd on Thursday, October 4, 2012 while the students, teachers, and organizers marched in the rain and cold for the Homecoming Parade from Valparaiso High School to Central Park Plaza in downtown Valpo. There, a huge pep rally was held to show support for the Vikings who were getting ready to face off against the Portage Indians the next evening. Read more...

 

PNC Traveling Wall

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On July 3, the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) along with the Traveling Vietnam Wall made their way to visit Purdue University North Central. Even before walking through the event gates, visitors stopped to take pictures of the gigantic Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag. Although a heat advisory was in effect, a crowd of at least 500 people came to pay tribute to American veterans and their families.

“We are very happy to have the AVTT Wall here. A great size crowd as well. We hope to have thousands of people come while the Wall is displayed,” said John Coggins, the Dean of Students at Purdue University North Central. Read more...

 

 

TIOS

This is Our Story

Click here to see the complete photo gallery of the first night!

Click here to see the complete photo gallery of the second night!

All of the schools within the Valparaiso Community Schools Corporation came together for a two-night celebration of the arts. It was a feast for the eyes and ears that night as the crowd was wowed by the talent that the students of the Valparaiso schools possessed.

Both evenings were memorable and helped to add to the cheer that comes with the holiday season.