This is one of those weekends where the price of gasoline may be immaterial.

From ethnic-based to parish-sponsored, there are festivals aplenty this weekend, all within a short drive.

A sampling of what is offered on the food and entertainment front follows.

EAST CHICAGO | The Puerto Rican Parade and Cultural Organization of Northwest Indiana moves its festival and parade to a new location this year.

The two-day cultural festival switches from Block Stadium to Tod Park, 140th Street and McShane Avenue. The fest opens at 4 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. Sunday. It closes at 10:30 p.m. both nights. An admission fee of $3 per person will be charged.

Lineup for Sunday's parade begins at 10 a.m. at Club Ki-Yowga, 152nd and Indianapolis Boulevard. The parade steps off promptly at noon, traveling north on Indianapolis Boulevard to Columbus Drive, where it ends at Tod Park. In prior years, the parade has left from Michigan and Euclid avenues.

The parade and festival are dedicated to the U.S. military branches and will host Latino representatives from the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force.

As the name suggests, the festival is a celebration of the Puerto Rican culture and heritage. To that end, visitors will find Puerto Rican and Mexican cuisine, as well as barbecue, and a pina colada stand serves up frosty refreshments. Vendors will be on hand selling cultural items - flags, bandanas and T-shirts - and there will be informational booths about the Puerto Rican Cultural Organization.

A beer garden features the sounds of My Brothers Salsa Band both Saturday and Sunday. Jo-Jo the Clown entertains at 6 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday. There are also inflatables so youngsters can jump off some of their excess energy and a U.S. Army climbing wall.

The featured artist on the Main Stage tonight is Aris Martinez, composer and arranger, who performs from 9 to 10 p.m.

Brenda Starr, described as the "Salsa Diva," performs from 8 to 10 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call (219) 397-1217 or visit www: OfficialPuertoRicanParade.com

GRIFFITH | Enjoy the works of 100 artists in the juried A Park Full of Art show today and Sunday in Central Park, 600 N. Broad St.

Hours for the 34th annual show are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Sunday.

Refreshments are served.

HAMMOND | The Festival of the Lakes wraps up its five-day run with a full schedule this weekend.

Admission to the festivities at Wolf Lake Memorial Park, Sheffield and Calumet avenues, is free. There is a $10 per day fee for parking at Wolf Lake. No pets or coolers are allowed in the park.

Today is Special Persons' Day and Rock Night.

Registration is at 7 a.m. for the Mayor's 5k Walk and Run. The walk follows an hour later for those 8 and older and at 8:15 a.m. for those younger than 8.

Anglers get an early start on the day with a fishing derby that starts at 8 a.m.

Special Persons' Day is observed from 10 a.m. to noon. Visitors are asked to register as they come in, said Donna Muta, special events coordinator with the Hammond Parks and Recreation Department. A free hot dog lunch will be provided at the park's sheltered pavilions and goody bags will be distributed. Specific amusement rides will run during the time for special persons to ride free of charge.

The park opens at noon, featuring a midway with carnival rides. A $20 wrist band buys unlimited rides from noon to 5 p.m. and Calumet Breweries operates a beer garden across from the Main Stage, offering ringside seats for the live entertainment. The beer garden opens at 7 nightly; guests must be 21.

Free pontoon boat rides, courtesy of Hammond Marina, begin at noon and run all day.

There is entertainment on the children's stage at 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 p.m.

History's End is the opening act on the Main Stage, beginning at 7 p.m. Sugar Ray, the headline act, follows.

Fireworks by BaDaBoom! Pyrotechnics wrap up the schedule at 10 p.m.

Sunday is Polka Day and Latin Night with a hot rod and custom car show tucked in between.

Registration for the car show runs from 9 a.m. to noon. There is a $10 per vehicle fee. The show is from noon to 3 p.m.

The park and midway open at noon. A $20 wristband buys unlimited rides from noon to 5 p.m. Free pontoon boat rides, courtesy of Hammond Marina, are offered all day beginning at noon.

There are special shows on the children's stage at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.

The polka party is from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Hammond Marina. New Phaze performs; food is provided by the Cavalier Inn.

Greg Rolie, Santana's original lead singer, opens at 7 p.m. on the Main Stage. War is the headline act.

HIGHLAND | St. James Parish Fest closes its two-day run tonight.

Hours are 5 p.m. to midnight for the festival at 45th and Kennedy avenues. A silent auction for various items is offered, as well as kids games and inflatables, homemade food, elephant ears, a beer garden and live entertainment.

Special today is a car and bike show. Registration is from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and the show follows. A participant fee of $20 is asked. Spectators are admitted free. Bike and car blessings, beer garden, food, music, trophies in 16 classes, magnetic plaque, goody bags and free give-a-ways will be featured.

On the entertainment front, High Noon performs 7 to 11 p.m. A cash raffle with $10,000 in prizes is available; the drawing is 10 p.m. Casino night with free admission is available both nights; participants must be 21 years old.

HOBART | The St. Bridget festival is from 5 to 11 p.m. today and Sunday on parish grounds, 107 Main St.

It features a beer garden, Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments, rides, fun fair, games, bingo, food and casino booth, with live entertainment 7 to 11.

A steak dinner is served from 4 to 7 p.m. today and pork chop sandwiches from 3 to 11 p.m. Sunday, with pierogi available.

MERRILLVILLE | Traditional Serbian meals, tamburitza music and kolo dancing highlight SerbFest 2008 today and Sunday at St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church, 8700 Taft St.

The festival is open from noon to midnight. Admission and parking are free.

The ethnic food at the event is once again expected to be one of the most popular attractions, festival organizer Joe Dejanovic said.

Barbecued lamb and pig as well as spicy grilled sausages called cevaps and stuffed cabbage will be on the menu. On a sweet note, the festival also offers sugar-coated Serbian doughnuts called krofne, homemade apple and cheese strudel, cookies and cakes.

Outdoor dining is available for patrons as well as a beer garden.

A video arcade, moonwalk and face painting will be available for children today and Sunday.

Live tamburitza bands perform throughout the weekend.

ST. JOHN | The theme of the St. John the Evangelist parish festival says it all: "It's all about the food."

Indeed, from Italian sausage and brats to pulled pork and pasta, the four-day festival offers something for just about every palate.

The festival, on the parish grounds at 9400 Wicker Ave., includes carnival rides, children's games, bingo, a gambling casino, beer garden, food booths, live entertainment and a 5K run.

Things get under way at 5 tonight and run until midnight. Entertainment includes the Good Time Cloggers, Dancin Moms & Dads and Meet the Beetles. The carnival is from 5 to 9 p.m.; bingo from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.; children's games from 5 to 10 p.m.; and gambling from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Sunday's activities run from noon to 10 p.m. and include the Calumet Clowns, balloon man, the Tim Foolery Improv Group, a tribute to Frank Sinatra, Detagoh with PJ Anderson and the big ticket drawing. The carnival runs from 1 to 9 p.m.; bingo from 3:30 to 10 p.m.; children's games from noon to 8 p.m.; and gambling from 5 to 10 p.m.