There’s no shortage of fun, entertainment and hospitality in Portage County! In fact, there’s something for everyone, especially in Kent and Brimfield. There are many parks in the area and an expanding hike and bike trail system available for sports and recreation lovers. Looking for unique shops for that keepsake souvenir, check out Acorn Alley in downtown Kent. Museums and galleries feature displays of local history and the work of local artists. Entertainment venues host local, regional and nationally recognized performers.

Live music has long been a centerpiece of the area entertainment scene in Portage County. Located in downtown Kent, the Kent State hosts a wide variety of concerts and events along with the Western Reserve Folk Art Association.

Many of the area wineries and taverns have live entertainment in the evening, and especially on weekends. Kent State University’s Schools of Music, Theatre and Dance hold performances that are open to the public. There are also many nearby theatres and concert halls, including the popular summer venues of Blossom Music Center and Porthouse Theatre.

There are also a number of recurring festivals that feature live entertainment. The nationally recognized Kent State Folk Festival has grown to a week-long event every fall, and the Kent Heritage Festival features live entertainment throughout the event.

 Central Portage County offers the opportunity to stay in a convenient, relaxed atmosphere while enjoying nationally and locally recognized entertainment, and experiencing quality, affordable dining.

Hometown Bank Concert Series
The Home Savings Concert Series, a Kent tradition for over 20 years, will take place o various Thursdays of each month, beginning in May and running through September. The concerts are free to the public, at the Home Savings Plaza in Historic Downtown Kent. For more information call Home Savings Bank
330.673.9827

Kent Stage
Constructed as the Flannigan and Steele Theater in 1927, the Kent Stage is the only remaining downtown theater of its kind in Portage County. The building opened as a movie theater and has entertained audiences in Kent for 80 years. The Kent Stage has hosted the Kent Blues Festival, up from the River Music Festival as well as the Kent State Folk Festival since 2002.
175 E. Main Street– Kent
330.677.5005

WKSU Folk Alley
FolkAlley.com went online in September 2003, offering live-streaming music over the Internet 24 hours a day. The hosted stream is produced by WKSU-FM in Kent, Ohio, which also built and maintains the website.
KSU Department of Theatre & Dance

E. Turner Stump Theatre
This 506-seat continental-style theatre has housed major productions since 1960 and was fully renovated in 1989.
Corner of Main Street and Horning Road – Kent
330.672.2497

Wright-Curtis Theatre
This 225-seat theatre utilizes movable seating, flexible traps, and a catwalk system to provide variety in production.
Corner of Main Street and Horning Road – Kent
330.672.2497

Porthouse Theatre
Located at the gateway to the Blossom Music Center (near Akron), Porthouse Theatre serves as the home of the Porthouse Theatre Company. This beautiful, covered pavilion arts center includes a 512-seat thrust theatre, concession stand, full catering for shows and a picnic pavilion.
330.672.2397

Viking Vineyards & Winery
Visit our cozy, relaxing tasting room, overlooking our lake, where people come to unwind, talk, enjoy the scenery, listen to music, enjoy the art, drink wine an eat (“a loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thee” – is it “thou”?). We also have ample outdoor seating on the deck along the lake when the weather permits.
January thru April 15
Closed Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
Thursday – 5:00 to 9:00 pm
Friday & Saturday – Noon to 11:00 pm
Sunday – 1:00 to 8:00 pm
Live music Sundays 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Reservations suggested for music
268 Old Forge Road
330.673.2080

Kent Plaza Theatres
140 Cherry Street– University Plaza
330.673.4451

D.I.C.E. (Downtown Innovative Community Events)
Standing Rock Cultural Arts is a non-profit art and education organization whose mission is the build community through the arts.
257 N. Water Street– Downtown Kent

Aurora WineFest – September 11, 2010
The annual Aurora WineFest presented by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, features samples from premiere Ohio wineries, live entertainment, wine tasting educational seminars and cooking demonstrations. Visit local artisans and indulge yourself in fine restaurant cuisine.
Thorncreek Winery & Gardens
3:00 – 10:00 pm