It took a lot of hands to envision and build the City of Portage's new Founder’s Square Amphitheatre. We recognize the big names like the Portage Parks and Recreation Department, the Mayor’s Office, and the City of Portage. Today’s Life in the Spotlight showcases one of the men behind the scenes: Frank Farkas.
Farkas has a history of volunteering his time for the benefit of others. Nearly 11 years ago, the Farkas family migrated to Portage from Lake County.
“Our girls were young,” Farkas said. “My wife and I were looking for a better place to raise a family. We think we did a good job finding that. This is a great community. We didn’t have the opportunities that we do here.”
They became members of the Nativity of Our Savior Parish. Farkas is a chairman of the Nativity Fest, a four-day community festival the Church puts on every year. He is also co-chair of Nativity’s Bingo event and President of the Nativity Home & School Association.
“Fundraising is something I do on a daily basis. I have a lot of experience getting the right people in front of the right crowds,” he said.
His background is in sales. He went to Purdue University in West Lafayette for Business Management and works as an electrical distributor.
‘It helps me do what I do because basically that is what fundraising is,” he said. “You’re selling an event - an experience. I don’t consider myself ever selling a product. I’m selling a service.”
The Nativity Fest is the Parish’s largest fundraiser. They have carnival rides, live music, and homemade food made on site.
“We want to create an experience for someone that they will remember and will talk about,” he added. “We want to get them engaged and excited.”
The Founder’s Square Amphitheatre project caught his attention since he had been watching the people of Portage traveling to other communities to witness or host certain events. He thought it would change the entire culture of the town to be able to have this diverse venue.
So, he helped establish the Founder’s Club and the Founder’s Fund. The money for an Amphitheatre was not available solely in the city budget. The idea of the Founder’s Fund was to not just cover the cost of building, but to create an account for the project that would sustain it on the interest. This kind of funding ensures that the Amphitheatre will never be cut in budget in favor of other projects because now it is its own entity.
Organizations are already lined up to utilize the Amphitheatre. The Portage YMCA is teaming up with the Chamber of Commerce for this year’s Portage Brewfest, where they will be hosting the event t his year. Portage Township Live Entertainment Association's Music in the Park, another project Farkas is co-chairing, will feature local musicians at the venue. A local church is scheduling an international choir to perform as well.
“[The Amphitheatre] is an opportunity to showcase our talent. It’s amazing to see the things people can do and the passion they have,” he said. “There will always be something for everyone. It is establishing an atmosphere of community.”
Farkas has support from his family at every step of the way. His wife, Bridget, and their two daughters, Allyson and Emily, help out where they can.
“Everything we do, we do together,” he said. “In this day and age, most families don’t sit around a table for dinner. With schedules and working - it’s hard. You need to get your family together in community events and things whenever you can, and savor it. This is where we live, we want to lead by example. To be a part of the community, help others, and to make some sort of difference. Broaden our horizons, expand, meet new people. There is more to life, and it’s right before your eyes.”