Main Street Kent Celebrates 20 Years With Two Days of Festivities

KENT, OH — Main Street Kent is turning 20, and the whole community is invited to celebrate with two days of festivities on July 24 and July 25, 2026. Join us as we honor our dedicated staff, our organization’s growth, our hundreds of incredible volunteers, and the generous sponsors, local businesses, and supporters who have helped shape downtown Kent over the past two decades.

The celebration kicks off on Friday, July 24, with pre‑game festivities at Bell Tower Brewing starting at 5 p.m. Guests can grab a DORA beverage, pick up a party hat, and join the community parade across the W. Main St. bridge as everyone makes their way to Hometown Bank Plaza for the official party beginning at 6 p.m. Once at the plaza, guests will enjoy live music by City of Invention, along with free anniversary swag, complimentary cupcakes, and family‑friendly activities that bring the community together in true Kent style. Full details are available on the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bp1DYJDqX/.

Adding to the excitement, Bell Tower Brewing is crafting a special anniversary Kölsch, brewed just for this milestone year. For every pint sold from this batch, $1 will be donated to Main Street Kent, making each pour a toast to community support.

Those wishing to support Main Street Kent’s mission may contribute with a birthday gift at https://square.link/u/rWNmPSjE.

The celebration continues on Saturday, July 25, at the Rockwell Hall Atrium at Kent State University. The evening begins with an open museum hour from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a lively reception featuring tapas from 13 local restaurants, festive beverages, and music. Tickets are available exclusively at https://square.link/u/GSo43sRt. Participating Taste of Kent restaurants include Bell Tower Brewing, Over Easy at the Depot, Alley Mac, Nineteen 10, Sonny and Olive’s, Water Street Tavern, The River Merchant, Laziza, Craft Kitchen, Gigi’s Ristorante, Erie Street Kitchen, Belleria Pizza & Italian, Troy Grille, and The Nut House. Main Street Kent thanks its anniversary sponsors: Portage Community Bank, Meijer, Hometown Bank, Gigi’s Ristorante, College Town Kent, Smithers-Oasis, Hall-Green Agency, AMETEK, Kent State University, and Minuteman Press.