Calendar

Along with the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Portage Parks & Recreation is seeking submissions of photos from all seasons. Winning photos will be selected from four categories: Seasonal Changes; Outdoor Recreation; Flora, Fauna & Wildlife; and Youth (14 years and under). Photos must be taken in a City of Portage park by June 14, 2021. Limit three entries per category, per person. Photos will be judged by a panel of area photography professionals with prizes awarded for first, second and third place in each category. Entry costs are $10 for up to three entries per category, except Youth; $5 for up to three entries in the Youth category (i.e., maximum $30 for nine entries). Prizes: 1st - $75; 2nd -$35 and 3rd -$25 for each of the four categories. Visit the Parks & Recreation Events page at mypark.portagemi.gov for full category descriptions and complete contest rules.

Explore the Portage Parks while discovering stone artifacts of Michigan wild animals hidden in the parks. Leave no stone unturned as you wander along the trails enjoying the fall colors in search of these treasures. Collect your set of twelve stone relics depicting animals you would find in the Portage Parks. To begin your expedition, register at mypark.portagemi.gov and click on the purple Recreation Activities & Facility Rentals button. Your first clue will be emailed to you, then unlock the secret of where the other clues are hidden to continue your travels deep into the Portage Parks. When you find the cache, list your name on the notebook found inside and take one of the small treasures. Start early to collect all twelve!

New this season the Parks & Recreation department will be offering trees to local businesses and organizations to decorate in the Celery Flats Historical Area. What a better way to spread holiday cheer than decorating your very own themed tree as part of the Tree of Lights Walk. The City of Portage will provide the tree and lights, just bring your own themed decorations representing your organization. Trees should be decorated by November 29. Contact the Parks office for more information and to register your tree by November 2 at 329-4522.

Area groups, clubs, families and organizations annually provide seasonal “Cards” to create the Holiday Card Walk along walkways in the Celery Flats Historical Area on Garden Lane. If you would like to add your card this season they should depict a winter, non-denominational, holiday theme, painted on a 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood; minimum ½ inch thick, painted white on the backside and able to withstand outdoor weather conditions. The cards will be installed in an upright vertical position. The cards must be delivered to the Public Works department (7719 South Westnedge Avenue) Monday through Friday 8 AM to 4 PM by November 9. Cards can be picked up after January 8, 2021. Any cards remaining after January 25 may be disposed of by the city.

The City of Portage announces the 3rd Annual, Portage Community Art Award in collaboration with the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts’ annual West Michigan Area Show (WMAS). The winner was selected among other Portage artists for work that best represents the city’s theme A Natural Place to Move! The 2020 winner was awarded to Micheal S. Nashef for his sculpture titled “Come See What I Have”. This piece is part of a series. The winning work of art and other pieces by the artist will be on display in the Portage City Hall Lobby through Friday, December 4.