The Portage community got its first taste of the summer fun on Friday, June 6, as Founders Square hosted its first Market on the Square celebration of the season.
Families, friends, and Portage residents had an opportunity to browse food trucks, play games, and check out many organizations who came to support the market. Emily SeDoris, event coordinator, considers this event to be a jack of all trades when it comes to providing entertainment with variety.
“We’re here every Friday with live music and three movies this summer,” SeDoris said. “We provide updates on our Facebook and our website so people can see what’s playing or who is performing. We’ve got artisan vendors, craft vendors, and quite a few farmers have signed up. There’s plenty of food vendors, jumbo games, little games, informational booths, and a bounce house for the kids.”
Whether you’re a kid, adult, or a senior, Market on the Square adheres to every age group. More than 60 vendors filled Founders Square for its opening night celebration.
“This is exactly what we’re here for,” SeDoris said. “We want to bring quality of life events to everybody in the community. Mayor Bonta has done a great job at helping out to get people in the community to support our events, and it shows with the turnout we’ve received for this event on just the first day of the season.”
Kelly Smith, superintendent of Portage Parks & Recreation, believes the energy at Founders Square is unlike anywhere else when it comes to community gatherings.
“Founders Square is probably one of my favorite parks that we have here in Portage,” Smith said. “There’s a lot to offer, from the food court area to the amphitheater. It's even better when we get to bring so many vendors in for nights like this. We have something for everybody, and that’s what the community is looking for.”
Many come to Market on the Square for the live music, beer garden, or the opportunity to see animals such as horses and goats up close. The vendors have been the most integral part of this event growing over the years.
“We’re so grateful for the vendors we have and the great relationships we’ve built with them,” Smith said. “They’re the biggest reason that an event like this can be as successful as it is. We probably bring in more than 1,000 people every time we host something like this. There’s pop up shops everywhere and plenty of activities for people to engage in.”
Many vendors are regulars over the course of the season. Market on the Square provides a full lineup prior to each day for the event on Facebook.
Events like this are important for the community because they create engagement and purpose. The City of Portage invites any opportunity they can get to entertain their community residents and show off the city spirit.
“I hope everyone who comes out has a good time,” SeDoris said. “We want to see all the smiling faces and enjoy spending some time together outside with some fun activities that people don’t get to do everyday.”
The opening night musical act was Rockology Chicago, who rocked the amphitheater from 6-9 p.m. The event also included a $5 beer garden, along with an appearance by Adams Radio Group from 4-6 p.m.
Market on the Square will run every Friday until September 19, with the exception of July 4 and July 11 due to the Fourth of July festivities and Nativity Fest respectively. Market on the Square will have one final gathering for the season on Saturday, September 27. The event runs from 4-9 p.m. every day of operation.
For more information on the City of Portage, you can visit portagein.gov.
