Paint on Port event, Venetian Night boat parade planned for this weekend

Port Washington will celebrate two things near and dear to the community this Sunday — the Paint on Port mural program and boating.

The Paint on Port program, which wrapped up this year, will be the focus of a celebration from 3 to 8 p.m. at Heart of the Harbor on the far east end of East Main Street.

It will be followed at 8 p.m. by the annual Venetian Night lighted boat parade.

During the parade, decorated and lit boats will head through the marina and head along Coal Dock Park.

Prior to the parade, a cardboard boat regatta will be held in the marina at 2 p.m.

Mayor Ted Neitzke will emcee the races. As of Tuesday, four boats had registered for the race.

The Paint on Port project has brought artists from near and far to create 12 colorful murals on buildings throughout the community — mostly in downtown.

The murals focus on the city’s natural wonders, its landscape and its history.

It’s important to mark the end of the program, Eileen Grace, who heads the project for Port Main Street Inc., said.

“I think the biggest thing about this that I did not expect is how much the community has come together with this,” she said. “So many people have gotten involved in different ways — hosting the artists, making donations, participating in Paint and Sip programs.

“It became much more than painting murals on walls. The pride you hear in people saying, ‘I did some of this.’ It’s extraordinary.”

The celebration, complete with music, food and, of course, art, will include a recognition ceremony at 5:15 p.m.

All the artists who have participated in the program during its three-year run have been invited, Grace said.