Festival to bring music to Port’s lakefront this weekend

Music will fill the air over Port Washington this weekend as the 14th annual Paramount Music Festival is held in Veterans Park Friday through Sunday, Aug. 30 to Sept. 1.

This is the fourth year the festival has been held in Port Washington — its previous home was in Grafton — and the second year it will be held in Veterans Park.

“We aren’t the oldest (festival) but we’re happy with what we’ve established,” organizer Kris Raymond said. “We love it here in Port. Our attendees love coming to Port Washington. There’s nothing like Coal Dock Park (where the festival was previously held), but Veterans Park is the next best thing for us.”

While the festival is free, there is a fee for VIP tickets, which may be purchased at paramountmusic.org through Thursday, Aug. 29.

Several affiliated events, such as The Pour, a beer and wine tasting on Friday, and a progressive brunch on Sunday, also have a fee.

Some of this year’s acts are “repeat acts,” Raymond said, noting that they are groups that were rained out of last year’s festival.

The festival kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday, with music by Michael Ammons and The Water Street Hotshots with special guest Lil Rev. 

Aaron Williams and The Hoodoo will play at 7 p.m., followed by the Alex Wilson Band at 8:30 p.m.

The Pour, a beer and wine tasting at various Port establishments, will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tickets to the event are $25 in advance or $35 at the door, and may be purchased at Sir James Pub or online at paramountmusic.org.

An after-party with music by The Blues Disciples will be held at d’Klein in Saukville.

Saturday’s music begins at 12:30 p.m. with Sue Dabaco. Stephen Hull Experience will play at 1:30 p.m., followed by Milwaukee Mike & The Mob at 3 p.m., the Tommy Bentz Band at 4:30 p.m., Rev. Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys with Westside Andy at 6 p.m. and The Jimmy’s at 8 p.m.

The after-party will be held at Seven Hills Pub at the Country Inn and Suites with music by the Spectaculars.

Sunday’s lineup is a mix of genres, Raymond said.

“It’s kind of an eclectic day,” she said. “We want to get a variety of music. Paramount did record more than just the blues. 

“We wanted to reach out to a younger generation and to get everyone to understand it’s not just blues — it’s all kinds of music.”

Sunday’s lineup begins at 10 a.m. with Luke Cerny, followed at 1:30 p.m. by Ethan Keller. Port Washington’s Will Pfrang and the Good Land Gang will play at 1:30 p.m., followed by Port band Midlife Oasis at 4 p.m. 

The Trapper Schoepp Band will close the festival at 6 p.m. Sunday.

A progressive brunch will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at Sir James Pub in Port. Proceeds will benefit Family Promise of Ozaukee County.

Family Promise will serve brats and burgers at the festival throughout the weekend.