To see a bunch more photos from the Perch Fest, click here!
To see a few videos from the festival weekend, click here!
Portage Perch Fest. Perch Fest 2010. Petey the Perch. It all just rolls off your tongue, doesn't it? The 2nd Annual Portage Perch Fest started off with a bang Friday night, the 14th of August, 2010. With three times more sponsors and vendors than last year and more activities than you and your buddy can count on two hands, this was, no doubt, a big hit in Portage! All the fun was happening in downtown Portage at Founders' Square Park and activities featured classic carnival rides (gotta love those swings!), live bands, booths lining the midway featuring food (don't forget the fried Perch!), arts and crafts, a teen dance, bags tournament along with a beer tent for the adults. And that was just Friday night at the downtown location! At the Lakefront and local Portage marina, they had a "Big Fish" tournament start at dawn on Friday and a Venetian Night Boat Parade on Friday evening.
"The word is out! The Portage Perch Fest is a happening thing in August, and I even know of people who have been on Facebook saying, 'Meet up at the Perch Fest!'," exclaimed Portage Mayor Olga Velazquez.
Velazquez and the committee that organizes the festival have been working hard literally all year since last year's inaugural fest and have worked closely with the Portage Chamber of Commerce and the Executive Director of the Chamber, Terry Hufford. "I think the whole [Perch Fest] needed a makeover [from last year]," said Hufford, who is co-chair of the festival along with Velazquez.
"It just takes a couple years for a festival to grow, and I think that we'll see the event take off this year."
Many other people seemed to think the same thing. Portage resident Paula Saylor enjoyed the fact that they offered a beer garden on an especially hot day that reached nearly 95 degrees according to www.wunderground.com. "I think [the Perch Fest] is something cool for the community and families," explained Saylor. Another Portage resident, Don Gilbert, agreed. "Every city should have a little festival," he said. Portage residents Samantha Smith and Kendra Adams were getting all they could handle of the activities at the Perch Fest. Adams stated, "I really like the Elvis, spinny ride."
And Tim Sosby, Lieutenant for the Portage Fire Dept., said, "With perch and being right next to Lake Michigan, you're going to get a lot of people."
Not only were there a lot of people from Portage, but the festival drew people from other communities as well. One woman attending the festival hunted me down just to tell me that she's probably the Perch Fest attendee that travelled the farthest, coming from Honolulu, Hawaii! She was visiting friends in Griffith, and they decided to head on over to the Perch Fest.
Other activities throughout the weekend included a Portage Idol karaoke contest, Perch Cook-Off, Gran Prix go-kart racing, kid's kickball, Little Miss and Mr. Perch Contest, a Dave Rudolf Musical Show and the last day of activities happened on Sunday with RE/MAX hot air balloon rides, a 5K race, and inspirational music performances. The Midway, beer garden, and carnival rides continued throughout the weekend as well.
"People are stepping up [to contribute to the festival]," exclaimed Deb Ekdahl, a member on the Perch Fest committee. "They're so nice. We have a great community."
Other people who attended the Perch Fest had great things to say:
Great music all night, every band performed to the max...enjoyed by all that I spoke to, and we ate like royalty. Anyone that didn't make the fest really needs to re-think their 2011 schedule and be sure you make it next year.
Tomm Alsman
We did had a good time. Need to add some craft booths.
Sandra Flint Stidham
Just hiome from the Perch Fest. The food, entertainment, goodies and crafts was great. What a weekend, Awsome!
Patricia Susanne Roy Coppess
Ran the 5k tonight....FUN!!
Diane Kellenburger
Like Diane ran the 5K tonight and was there for a bit on Saturday. It was MUCH improved over last year, more vendors and more food.. I hope this festival continues to grow and the community comes out to support it. It really is nice....
John Arredondo
I had to work Friday and Saturday so I got the end of the fest on Sunday. The weather was beautiful and I was there to hear the bands. Nice evening for me. The people who had complaints might want to volunteer their time next year to make it better for all. Thank you Portage.
Linda Cuevas
The perch and the music
Beth 'Bresnahan Roach' Franzen
Be sure not to miss next year's Portage Perch Fest!