August 12 – 14, 2011, come out for the 3rd Annual Portage Perch Fest and Gran Prix at Founders’ Square. The weekend officially opens at 5:00 pm on Friday, with night carnival rides, food and crafts until 11:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday, the vendors will be open from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm, with the carnival opening at 11:00 am.
Saturday features the first round of the Indy Go-Kart Series Gran Prix at 8:30 am. Sunday’s race will host the finalists from Saturday, competing for the win! Only 24 seats are sold, so be sure to sign up early! Challengers from small businesses to major corporations, the auto industry, political entities, law firms, doctor’s offices, local Police and Fire/Rescue Departments, military and Veterans organizations, school officials, etc are encouraged to participate and represent your outfit. Click here for the rules and here for the entry form!
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Petey’s Mascot Olympics will also be held Saturday. Come watch Petey and friends as they compete for the Perch Fest Cup! These wacky-style games are sure to entertain the entire family. Featured mascots include Benny the Bull of the Chicago Bulls, Tommy Hawk of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Rusty the Railcat of the Gary RailCats, among others. This free event will be held Saturday at 5 pm in Founders’ Square.
Sunday features the 5K Run/Walk at 6:00 pm. The start and finish will be at Perch Fest by Founders’ Square, with the course running south onto the Prairie Duneland Trail. Kids 12 and under will run a 1 mile race at 5:15 pm. Visit the Portage Parks Department website to download the entry form!
The Entertainment Schedule is as follows:
Friday Night- Family Tent
- Bonner Center Choraliers: 5 pm
- Karaoke Contest: 6 pm
Friday Night- Beer Tent: “A trip down memory lane”
- Clutch Cargo (70’s and 80’s): 5-7 pm
- Crawpuppies (60’s and 70’s): 7-9 pm
- Phil Dirt and the Dozers (50’s and 60’s): 9-11 pm
Saturday- Family Tent
- Little Miss/Mr. Perch Contest: 10 am
- Interactive Children’s Show: 11:30 am
- Bingo: 1-5 pm
- Perch Cook-off: 6:30 pm
Saturday Night- Beer Tent: “The best of our local bands”
- Hutchins (MC & DJ): Noon – 1 pm
- C-4 (Rock and today’s music): 1-3 pm
- The Bones (70’s through today): 3-5 pm
- Shuddup & Drive (70’s through today): 5-7 pm
- Eaten Alive (Yesterday and today’s rock): 7-9 pm
- Nawty (all music types from then to now): 9-11 pm
Sunday- Family Tent
- Bingo: 1-4:30 pm
- SONday GLOry (Christian youth band): 5-7 pm
- Catch This- Juggling Act: 7 pm
Sunday Night- Beer Tent: “Most popular show bands in NWI & Chicago”
- Hutchins (DJ- Jimmy Buffet style cover): Noon – 3 pm
- Josh Holmes (Dave Matthews style cover): 3-5 pm
- Asteria (pop rock): 5-7 pm
- Déjà vu Band (pop/rock/80’s): 7-9 pm
- Your Villain My Hero (pop/top 40): 9-11 pm
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Before the Perch Fest kicks off August 12, participate in the Big Fish Tournament on August 6 and 7 at the Portage Lakefront and River Walk, or view the beautiful boats in the Venetian Boat Parade on August 6 at dusk in the Portage Marina. Find more information here.