Bid on Adventure. Give Back Locally.
All proceeds support the Portage Foundation, helping to fund vital nonprofit programs, scholarships, and community initiatives across the county.
How it Works
1. Browse Experiences
Explore all available packages and pick your favorites.
2. Place Your Bid
Bidding opens September 1. Place your bid on any package (or all of them). Highest bidder at the close wins.
3. Support Your Community
Every dollar raised supports the Portage Foundation’s community grantmaking and scholarship efforts.
4. Experience Something Incredible
Winners will be contacted on October 1st with instructions on how to arrange their custom experience.
Key Dates
- Auction Opens: September 1, 2026
- Auction Closes: September 30, 2026 at Noon EST
About the Portage Foundation
The Portage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public foundation committed to improving the quality of life in Portage County. Through donor-advised funds, community grantmaking, and scholarship programs, the Foundation supports nonprofits, education, arts, health, and community development across the region.
EXPERIENCE PORTAGE COUNTY
Q: Can I bid on more than one experience?
Absolutely! Bid on as many as you’d like.
Q: What if I win?
You’ll receive an email on October 1st with next steps to coordinate your experience.
Q: Are bids tax-deductible?
Portions of winning bids that exceed fair market value may be tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor.
Q: Can I gift the experience if I win?
Yes! Just let us know who will be using the package.
Experience Portage County Auction Items:
Take Flight for a Whole New Perspective
Cruise Through History on a Classic Wooden Ski Boat
Explore Berlin Lake by Pontoon
Bell Tower Brewing Company Tour & Overnight Stay
Sip, Savor & Stay: A Mantua Getaway
A Private Naturalist Hike & Celebration
Gift Baskets and More
Along with our featured experiences, this year’s auction includes four great gift baskets, each one ready to make someone’s day.
- Show your school spirit with “Fueled by Bibibop, Decked in Blue & Gold,” a Kent State swag bag packed with gear, game tickets, and a Bibibop gift card.
- Try your luck with “$100 in Tickets. $4.9 Million in Dreams,” a basket of Ohio Lottery scratch-offs with real jackpot potential.
- Share the love with a Raising Cane’s basket, loaded with gear, goodies, and free-item cards good at any location.
- And spoil the pup in your life with the Ultimate Dog Lovers Basket, donated by Madonio Animal Trust and Brimfield Insurance Group.
Bid on one, or bid on all four; every dollar supports the Portage Foundation.
Take Flight Over Portage County
See Portage County From a Whole New Perspective
Ever wondered what your neighborhood looks like from a thousand feet up? Now’s your chance to find out. This auction package puts you in the co-pilot’s seat of a Cessna 177B Cardinal for a 30-minute flight over Portage County, piloted by a local resident and private pilot who knows the area well. Bring up to two friends or family members along for the ride.
Fly over your house, your kid’s school, the lake you grew up swimming in — whatever you want to see from a bird’s-eye view. It’s the same county you know, just from an angle you’ve probably never had.
Once you’re back on the ground, toast to your flight with a glass of bubbly. We’ll also send you a printed photo of your actual flight path as a keepsake.
The adventure starts at Portage County Regional Airport. Your pilot will work directly with you to schedule the flight, weather and scheduling permitting.
Ready to see home from above? Place your bid and take flight.
Special Thanks to Pilot John Rayle
Cruise Through History on a Classic Wooden Ski Boat
Private Ride in a Classic 1964 Chris-Craft Ski Boat & Hosted Lunch
Step back in time aboard a beautifully maintained 1964 Chris-Craft ski boat — an experience few people ever get the chance to enjoy.
Feel the craftsmanship and nostalgia of a classic wooden boat as you cruise the waters of Berlin Lake with your private host. Along the way, you’ll hear stories about the lake’s history, local landmarks, notable events, and the area’s natural beauty — a chance to take in a real piece of boating history.
After your cruise, relax with a casual hosted lunch on the patio at your host’s home.
Experience Includes
- Private cruise aboard a classic 1964 Chris-Craft ski boat, up to 3 people
- Approximately two-hour guided experience
- Berlin Lake history, local stories, and wildlife
- Casual hosted lunch following the cruise
- Date to be mutually agreed upon during the boating season
A rare opportunity for boating enthusiasts, history lovers, or anyone looking for a truly memorable Portage County experience.
Special Thanks to Hosts Beth and Bill Padisak
Explore Berlin Lake by Pontoon
Private Berlin Lake Pontoon Cruise & Hosted Lunch (Up to 10 Guests)
Gather your family or friends for a day exploring one of Portage County’s hidden treasures!
Your host will captain a leisurely pontoon cruise on Berlin Lake for up to ten guests, sharing stories about the lake’s history, wildlife, hidden coves, and the events that have shaped this unique area over the years. Whether you’ve lived here for decades or you’re discovering Berlin Lake for the first time, you’ll come away with a new appreciation for this scenic spot.
After the cruise, settle in for a casual lunch on your host’s patio, where the conversation — and the view — can keep going a little longer.
Experience Includes
- Private pontoon cruise for up to 10 guests
- Approximately two-hour guided experience
- Stories about Berlin Lake history, local landmarks, and wildlife
- Casual hosted lunch following the cruise
- Date to be mutually agreed upon during the boating season
Create memories with family and friends while supporting the Portage Foundation!
Special Thanks to hosts Beth and Bill Padisak
Bell Tower Brewing Company Tour & Overnight Stay
Enjoy a behind-the-scenes experience at Bell Tower Brewing Co. in Kent, Ohio, followed by an overnight stay in a beautiful historic home just steps from the brewery.
The winning bidder and up to five guests will enjoy a private brewery tour and a $200 gift card to use toward hand-crafted beer and scratch-made food at Bell Tower. Afterward, settle in for a comfortable overnight stay in the brewery’s neighboring 1,400-square-foot historic home, valued at $350.
With four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and plenty of room to spread out, the home is within walking distance of downtown Kent and the river hike and bike trail, and just a short drive from Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It’s a great getaway for couples, families, or a small group of friends.
Experience Includes
- Brewery tour for up to 6 guests
- $200 gift card to Bell Tower Brewing Co.
- One-night stay in Bell Tower’s neighboring historic home
- Four bedrooms and two full bathrooms
- Easy access to downtown Kent and the river hike and bike trail
Total package value: $550
About Bell Tower Brewing Co.
Bell Tower Brewing Co. is a neighborhood brewpub in a beautifully repurposed historic building in the heart of Kent. The team has created a welcoming gathering place where hand-crafted beer, scratch-made food, history, and community come together.
The building carries a story of its own, and Bell Tower has thoughtfully preserved and reclaimed architectural elements and artifacts from its past while creating a space designed for gathering and celebration.
Whether you’re looking for a fun night out, a weekend getaway, or a chance to experience one of Kent’s unique local businesses, this package offers a little bit of everything.
Good food. Great beer. A historic stay. A uniquely Kent experience.
Please note: The overnight accommodation requires a lease agreement. The property accommodates up to 8 guests, but local requirements limit stays to no more than 5 unrelated guests. Families and relatives may use the full occupancy. No smoking or vaping is permitted. A pet fee of $100 applies if bringing a pet.
Sponsored by:
Sip, Savor & Stay: A Mantua Getaway
Discover the charm of Mantua with an evening designed for four people to sip, savor, and stay awhile.
Mantua Village (pronounced “MAN-a-way”) sits along the Cuyahoga River in Portage County. Founded in the early 1800s as a railroad stop and shipping point for area farmers, the village was incorporated in 1898 and named after a city in Northern Italy. Today it’s a peaceful, historic village known for its charming downtown and friendly community — the perfect backdrop for an evening of wine, food, and small-town hospitality.
Your experience begins at Salvage Winery, where you’ll learn about the winemaking process and the art of pairing wine with food. Enjoy a selection of wines alongside food samples provided by Jake’s Eats while relaxing on the winery’s patio, taking in the evening under the stars.
When the evening winds down, head into downtown Mantua for an overnight stay at a charming two-bedroom Airbnb attached to R44 Coffee Shop. The next morning, enjoy breakfast and coffee at R44 before heading home.
And because the best way to experience a community is through its local businesses, you’ll also receive a basket of goodies featuring offerings from businesses throughout Mantua and the surrounding area.
Your Experience Includes
- Wine education and tasting at Salvage Winery
- Food pairings provided by Jake’s Eats
- An evening on the winery’s patio
- Overnight stay for four at a two-bedroom Airbnb in downtown Mantua
- Breakfast and coffee at R44 Coffee Shop the following morning
- A collection of local goodies, coupons, and experiences from Mantua-area businesses
Gather your favorite people and discover what makes Mantua such a special place to visit, eat, drink, and stay.
Sponsored by:
Explore Kame Esker Bog: A Private Naturalist Hike & Celebration
A Guided Hike Through Portage Park District’s Newest Park, Plus a Private Pavilion Picnic
Be among the first to explore Kame Esker Bog, Portage Park District’s newest park in Brimfield Township, on a private hike led by a park naturalist. You’ll learn about the unique glacial features, wetland habitat, and plant and wildlife that make this park one of a kind, seeing it through the eyes of someone who knows it best.
After your hike, head to a reserved pavilion for a private celebration featuring fancy appetizers and mocktails. It’s the perfect way to relax, reflect on what you saw, and enjoy a little more time outdoors with your group.
Experience Includes
- Private, naturalist-led hike for up to 12 guests customized for your group interests and hike preferences
- A close look at Kame Esker Bog’s glacial and wetland features
- Reserved pavilion for a private after-hike gathering
- Fancy appetizers and mocktails
- A basket of Portage Park District swag to take home
A rare chance to experience one of Portage County’s newest natural spaces before most people even know it exists!
Hike length and program time can be coordinated with the park staff. Kame-Esker Bog has a 0.4-mile paved loop trail and a 1.4-mile natural surface trail, so all ages and mobility levels can be accommodated.
Date and time to be mutually agreed upon with the Portage Park District, subject to seasonal and weather considerations.
Sponsored by:
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Create a lasting impact on your most cherished causes while gaining tax benefits for yourself. Contact us today and help build a brighter future.