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KentStater

World and Nation:
Your Community. Your Stories.

KentStater

Your Community. Your Stories.

KentStater

Randy Horvath playing at Home Town Bank Plaza during the Art and Wine Festival on June 4, 2022. Randy was the first musician of the day to take the stage.

Main Street Kent’s Art and Wine Festival returns for first time since 2019

Berkeley Chadwick, Reporter June 5, 2022

After a two-year hiatus, Main Street Kent’s Art and Wine Festival returned to downtown at noon on June 4, 2022. Attendees poured onto the closed North Water Street and enjoyed the many amenities lining...

Angel Fischer, pictured in the blue cape and mask, takes her kids trick or treating in the downtown Kent halloween festivities on Friday, Oct. 29.

A rainy day in Kent can’t stop community trick-or-treaters

Kayla Polansky Reporter October 29, 2021

Main Street Kent brought the spirit of Halloween to its local businesses, along with candy and trick-or-treaters. Local businesses gathered together Friday with Main Street Kent to host Family Friendly...

Portage County Solid Waste Management District 4 (recycling)

Kelly Krabill September 15, 2021

While illegal dumping has forced some towns to shut down its drop off location, curbside pickup has not been offered to residents who want the service. Dawn Collins, acting director of the Portage County...

Photo Courtesy of Robert Burford.

Kent Blues Fest is back in town

Sam Wright Reporter July 17, 2021

The Kent Blues Fest will be taking place on Saturday, July 17. The free live music will be located at 23 indoor and outdoor venues all over Kent. The 2020 Blues Festival was canceled because of the COVID-19...

Carnaby Street Style announced their closing on Instagram.

Changes to Downtown Kent 2020-2021

Chloe Zofchak Reporter April 28, 2021

Kent is known for being the college town with a tight-knit community of students, families, businesses and more. People come from near and far towns to enjoy the scenery and frequent social events Kent...

The Mill District mural by Emily Anne Buckingham and Joshua Bentley located at 300 N. Water St.

Kent Walking Tour highlights public art downtown

Brynne Mann Reporter March 19, 2021

The sky was full of dark gray clouds and raindrops sprinkled the sidewalk outside. Despite the weather, a young blonde woman stood between two buildings staring at a landscape painting of the same area. The...

Acorn Alley also joined in the festivities. 

Downtown Kent goes Red for National Heart Month

Brynne Mann Reporter February 14, 2021

Downtown Kent has hearts lining the streets and filling window fronts for National Heart Month. Main Street Kent was inspired by the American Heart Association’s National Heart Month to create an event...

The Kent State Hotel and Conference Center decorated for Main Street Kent’s Chocolate Walk. 

Main Street Kent’s Chocolate Walk brings the community to Downtown Kent

Chloe Zofchak Reporter February 13, 2021

Despite the cold temperatures, people found their way to Downtown Kent in search of shopping, food and most importantly chocolate. Main Street Kent’s Chocolate Walk, sponsored by Squirrel City Jewelers,...

Multi-instrumentalist Angie Haze, along with Chris Dudley (left), perform as part of a nine-piece ensemble called The Angie Haze Project, which features guitar, bass, violin, saxophone, accordion, and more.

Local musicians looking to lift spirits with virtual holiday concert

Mason Lawlor Reporter November 25, 2020

Main Street Kent is trying to fill the local entertainment gaps left by COVID-19 this holiday season. This week it has debuted “Home for this Holiday,” a festive, 18-song virtual show featuring local...

A DORA recycling bin outside Fresco Mexican Grill & Salsa Bar in downtown Kent. 

Kent DORA suspended due to elevated COVID-19 risk level in Portage County

Nathan Mehring Reporter October 30, 2020

Kent’s DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) has been suspended due to Portage County’s COVID-19 risk level rising to “red” (Level Three). The 33.25-acre area is “where alcoholic beverages...

Story Walk 1

Downtown Kent to hold Story Walk through Halloween for local families

Mason Lawlor Reporter October 15, 2020

A children’s book becomes interactive as Main Street Kent kicks off its second annual “Story Walk” today and continues through Oct. 31.  Cleveland-born author Dav Pilkey’s new book, “The Hallo-Wiener,”...

Downtown Kent’s First Pride Festival ‘Rainbow Weekend’ to take place in March

Theresa Lovrak Reporter February 14, 2020

Main Street Kent is preparing for its inaugural Rainbow Weekend which will be a celebration festival of the LGBTQ+ community.  This event will be held downtown on the weekend of March 6 and 7. Various...