Market on the Square brings delicious food, live music, and tons of summer fun to City of Portage

The City of Portage’s Market on the Square returned to Founder’s Square Park after a two week break to the delight of all attendees on Friday, July 24. The weekly market brings together a collection of Portage’s favorite vendors, food trucks, and entertainment acts for an evening of summer fun.

Every year, the Market on the Square gives families and friends an excellent start to the weekend during the summer, making it a favorite event among Portage residents.

“I have met some really wonderful people out here,” said Anna Brambila, a partaker in the festivities. “I am brand new to Portage; my family moved here in January just six months ago, and I decided to come out and visit the market to get to know people. I’ve met some wonderful people out here, and everybody’s really friendly in Portage, and I’ve enjoyed it.”

The market attracts a wide variety of vendors, from Region staples like Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck to artisans and craftspeople hoping to sell their handmade goods. That means supporting the market is a great way to support Portage and its community.

“I think that they are a community,” said Angelina Mendoza, the event’s coordinator. “The vendors themselves are each other’s friends. They know each other, they help each other out, and they’re a real vendor community within themselves.”

The entertainment for the evening changes every week, meaning there’s always something new to enjoy. Tonight’s event featured live music from Austin Edward, a former America’s Got Talent star playing country classics, but music, movies, and more rotate throughout the month.

The live entertainment, coupled with attractions like a beer garden and bounce houses, means visitors can get more than a meal when they come to the market.

“That’s the thing about human beings, right? We want everything to stay the same, and yet simultaneously we want everything to change,” said Austin Bonta, Mayor of the City of Portage. “You have these little traditions, but the traditions themselves have little changes in them. Maybe this is the market where the horses are at, or maybe this is the one where we’ve got a foam party going on, or maybe this is the one where we got a country singer. There’s just always something a little different each time, but the overall market stays the same.”

The emphasis on providing a quality experience isn’t limited to market attendees either. Many of the event’s vendors return every week thanks to the care the City of Portage and its Parks Department put into hosting the event.

“The best part is when I get repeat customers and their faces light up when they see the books,” said Michelle O’Dell, a vendor at the market who was selling books to the community. “I’m an English teacher by trade, so literature is my thing. I feel a responsibility to give people access to good books, so that’s why I come out here.”

The Market on the Square will return to Founders Square Park every Friday – except August 7 – through the rest of the summer. Upcoming entertainment includes a family movie night on July 31, a line dancing night on August 14, and a Taylor Swift tribute night on August 28. For a full list of upcoming entertainment, as well as updates on the market and attending vendors, be sure to follow the Market on the Square on Facebook.

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