One of the biggest hits every year at the Portage Perch Fest is the Gran Prix. The Indy Go-Kart races were very competitive again this year as karts sped around Founders’ Square Park all day long on Saturday and again on Sunday.
Racers of all ages from all over the area spent months preparing for the big Perch Fest Weekend. Another obstacle was hurdled as the competitors had to deal with a wet track and rainy conditions late Saturday and throughout the morning on Sunday. The participants battled through the conditions and had a great time with the exhilarating thrill of speeding around the track.
Just like any other competitive sport, racing is not taken lightly. It takes a great deal of time and dedication to prepare for a race.
“We spend every Friday night in the shop working to get ready for this,” Portage High School sophomore Alec Coates said.
Coates, who has been racing for five years, is a second generation driver. His father Dave raced in the Portage Gran Prix and in South Bend. Although he did not spend as much time racing this summer due to baseball, the younger Coates was satisfied with his performance over the weekend.
The Portage Perch Fest is set to conclude on Sunday night. A 5K Run/Walk will take place starting at 6pm. A Christian Youth Band is set to perform from 5-7, with a juggling act to follow in the Family Tent at 7pm. Josh Holmes, Esteria, Déjà vu Band and Your Villian My Hero will all perform Sunday night.
Click here for an overview of everything that was happening at the Perch Fest on Friday night, or here to read about the Little Miss/Mr. Perch competition from yesterday.
Be sure to click here to check out all of the photos from the weekend. Shots of the Gran Prix, Little Miss/Mr. Perch competition, venders’ booths, games, rides and musical performers are included in the updated Perch Fest 2011 photo gallery!