Port adds picnic, pool fun to Fourth of July activities

Port Washington’s Fourth of July activities will be a little different this year than in the past.

For starters, many of the events will take place on Saturday, July 3, instead of Sunday, July 4.

There won’t be a parade this year, but there will be a community picnic at Veterans Park with giant games and the traditional kids’ decorated bike contest, Recreation Director Kiley Schulte said. 

Port Washington State Bank will again sponsor the bike decorating contest and provide decorating kits for children.

There will be fireworks shot off from Coal Dock Park at dusk on July 3, Schulte said.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be any activities on July 4. Schulte said she is planning a number of holiday activities at the outdoor pool, including family relay races and a biggest splash contest.

“We’re doing something simple this year,” Schulte said, noting the Fourth of July celebration was canceled due to the pandemic last year. “The community is starving for any fun, cool thing so we want to provide them with a celebration.”

But next year, when the pandemic is hopefully over, she added, the city is considering planning a larger event to celebrate Independence Day.