Events

I think we all have had our fill of political ads as the mid-term elections approach with less than 2 weeks remaining of the candidates’ campaigns. 

As the fall colors engulf us in a myriad of beauty, there are lots of great musical happenings this coming week.

Main Street Kent, in partnership with Acorn Alley, is launching the 2026 Kent Rainbow Weekend this Friday, Oct. 16, through Sunday, Oct. 18.

A statue of the 20th president of the United States, who resided in the village of Hiram for several years, including graduating from what is now known as Hiram College, will be relocated to the village from Wilmington, Delaware, where it has been on display for 131 years.

We are incredibly honored to share that Windham Exempted Village Schools is one of 1,175 schools (almost 1,000 less than last year) nationwide to apply for the T-Mobile $1 Million Friday Night 5G Lights Grant to put a track on our football field.

The 168th Portage County Randolph Fair took place at the end of August with all the customary entertainment that makes the event a success year after year: the junior fair, including 4-H and FFA agricultural shows, rides, food, games, music, tractor pulls and much more.

As summer winds down, Dussel Farm is already looking ahead to fall. For the owners of the Portage County farm, preparing for fall means rebranding its activities.

Here's a list of everything happening in Portage County this fall.

The Portage County Shepherds 4-H group was presented with a conservation award at the 2026 Portage County Randolph Fair.

The Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce invites the community to celebrate the grand opening and relocation of the Crestwood Community Center (CCC).

The Atwater Fire Department would like to thank the township residents for their generous donations of school supplies during their “Stuff the Fire Truck” event on Aug. 15.

A “Meet the Candidates Day” will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22 at the Shearer Community Center at 9355 Newton Falls Rd.

Hiram Village Council has rezoned two properties in the village to allow for college properties to be sold and transitioned out of the institutional district.

It never occurred to me that I would someday have a best friend who is 80 years old. Last weekend I found myself at her birthday party, along with over 200 of her other friends. It caused me to ponder on the importance of friends in our lives. When I searched the internet, I came across an intriguing study on friendship and happiness.

Of particular note this week is the BBQ & Blues benefit concert in the parking lot of Kent United Church of Christ, 1400 E. Main St. This will feature the band The Back Alley Relics on August 2 from 5 - 8 p.m. 

The Edinburg United Church will have two upcoming events for the community. First up is their Rummage Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8.

Meeting in special session July 22, and with no discussion or debate, Kent City Council unanimously tweaked the city’s noise ordinance to keep the downtown music playing.

I hope you all weathered the heat and Canadian and smoke of last week. Here is the Setlist for July 22-28.