Taste of Portage 2014
- Overlander Bandshell
- 7999 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002 United States
Additional Information
Taste of Portage
Hosted by Portage Athletic Foundation
July 19, 2014 | Overlander Band Shell | Noon to 10 p.m.
Hosted by: Portage Athletic Foundation
Purpose of Event:
To celebrate the history, unique restaurants, brew pubs, and traditions that make the City of Portage an amazing place
to live, work, and enjoy. Taste of Portage celebrates the citizens and community to encourage all to love where they
live. The event will include restaurants, retailers, artisans, brewers, and feature children’s events and entertainment.
The event is a fundraising event for the Portage Athletic Foundation.
Hours and Activities:
Noon to 10 p.m.
Free from noon to 4 p.m.
Cover of $5 starts at 4 p.m.
Pedal Bikers can come in for free through the special bike path entry – cover charge starts at 4 p.m.
Parking is available at City Hall and Public Library
Location is 7800 South Westnedge, Portage, MI 49002
Special Events:
Bike In For Free: The City of Portage is a “Bike Friendly” city and the Taste of Portage highlights this commitment
with a bike in for free. Bikes must enter through the Bike Path for entry. Kids can decorate their bikes on site.
Kidz Zone will include: a play area hosted by Fat Blossom Farms, chalk art, make it take it, Scavenger Food Hunt/
The Hidden Jems of Portage.
Brewer’s Expo – Latitude 42 will host their first Taste of Portage Brewers Expo from 2‐4 p.m. Scott Freitas, owner
and head brewmaster will provide educational displays, a workshop, and talk about the work that goes into brewing
right here in Portage, Michigan. And, as a special treat, Latitude 42 will have a specialty brew launch between 2‐4
p.m.
People’s Choice Award – The people will vote on their favorite “taste” of Portage. Participating restaurants and
catering companies will post their competitive “taste” of portage. Attendees will receive a ticket when they enter
and their will use that ticket to vote for their favorite restaurant.
Sponsor’s Taste Event ‐ Sponsors who are $1,000 and above participate in a blind test to determine which
restaurant they will select as “Sponsor’s Choice.” This designation is judged in a blind test, and they pick their
favorite food item – but no one truly knows who is the restaurant cooking that item.
Meet the Fall Portage Student/Athletes – Portage Central and Portage Northern High School teams will be on site
for a meet and greet and a toss the football – kick the soccer ball exhibition. Meet the high school athletes | Love
where you live.
Flashmobs | We love Dancing ‐ The dance groups in Portage will be asked to coordinate a dance event. Specifically
International Yoga and Excell Dancers will be asked participate.
Afternoon Entertainment Stage: High School bands, DJ’s and anything in between will be given the opportunity to
provide entertainment (at no cost) for the event. All bands will be required to submit a tape or digital music filed.
Food and Merchandise Vendors:
Food and Merchandising vendors are encouraged to join the celebration by purchasing a booth. Booth space is $100
and food vendors receive 2 tables and merchandise vendors receive 1 table – Electric and potable water provided. Food
vendors bring their own tent/food truck/awning and accept tickets for their product items reimbursed at 80 cents on the
dollar. Merchandise and Artisan booths are under a tent (called the Merchandise Tent) and they collect cash. As a food
and beverage tasting event, food vendors will receive signage, printed menus and websites and social media promotion.
Vendors are asked to submit an application to participate and sign a contract of agreement.
Entertainment Stage
Noon‐1:30 p.m. Brookside Avenue Band
2‐3:30 p.m. DJ Orphus
4‐5:30 p.m. Smallmouth
6‐8 p.m. Lisa Can’t Sing
8:30‐10 p.m. The Journey – A Journey Band – www.thejourneytribute.net
Beverage Products:
Latitude 42 Beer selection
Miller Products
Wine
Spirited summer flavored beverages
Coke‐a‐cola products and Water
.
Pricing will range from $4‐$5 a beer, Wine at $5, and Coke products at $2.
The Charity – Portage Athletic Foundation
The Portage Athletic Foundation firmly believes in the importance of teamwork and the valuable, lifelong qualities that
develop through participation in athletics. With the goal of enhancing athletics district‐wide, the Portage Athletic
Foundation works corroboratively on fund‐raising efforts within the community to provide significant financial support
for our high school and middle school athletic programs.
All proceeds from Taste of Portage will support the Portage Athletic Foundation and ultimately the middle and high
school athletic programs in the Portage Public Schools.
2014 Taste of Portage Information
Vendors and sponsors are currently being recruited; this list is as of June 13
Taste of Portage Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor:
Maple Hill Auto Group
Special Event Sponsors:
Chemical Bank
Kalamazoo Community Foundation – Love Where You Live
Taste of Portage Food Vendors
Barrett’s Smokehouse
Baskin Robbins
Jac’s Cekola’s Pizza
Ming Dynasty
Brann’s
Craftsman Chop House
Taste of Portage Merchandise Vendors
Housing Resources Inc.
Tastefully Simple
Equinox Underwater Housings
Sponsorship
Basic Sponsorship Benefits (All levels)
Logo or company name printed on volunteer t‐shirts
On‐stage recognition throughout the event
Name and/or logo placement on Website
Name listed as a sponsor in the official flyer
Listed on Welcome Sign at Taste of Portage
On site advertising opportunities
Specific Benefits by Sponsorship Level
Presenting Sponsor $2,000
Exclusive sponsorship within sponsor’s industry
Live mentions from the stage
Logo on promotional posters
Logo printed on VIP Tickets
Participation as a judge in Sponsor Taste
30 free passes for admission to event, VIP tent
Special event selection is done on a first‐come, first serve basis. 2014 events available for sponsorship include:
People’s Choice ‐ opportunity to have logo on the “People’s Choice” ticket
KidsZone ‐ opportunity to have branding at the event with the special event signage
The Market Place Tent ‐ signage at the tent
Vendor Row ‐ signage at the vendor area
Special Event Sponsor $1,000
Exclusive sponsorship within sponsor’s industry
Live mentions from the stage
Logo on promotional posters
See the specific listing of how the event sponsorship can be tailored by the event selected/sponsored.
Participation as a judge in Sponsor Taste
20 free passes for admission to event, VIP tent
Park Sponsor $250
12 free passes for admission to event, VIP tent, and VIP Vendor Access Line
In‐Kind Sponsor
Free passes for admission to event, VIP tent, and VIP Vendor Access Line. Number of passes is based on the value of the
donation.
Other benefits are provided commensurate with the donation value.