Saturday street fest in Port expected to draw more than 8,000 people

PORT WASHINGTON - The weather looks like it will be ideal for Port Washington’s fall street festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5.

“We’re expecting a big crowd,” said Kristina Tadeo, executive director of Port Main Street Inc., which organizes the festival.

The festival typically draws between 6,000 and 8,000 people, she said, but this year Main Street is expecting “north of 8,000.”

This year, there will be shuttle bus service to the festival. Buses will take people between Hollander Chocolate on South Spring Street to the Moonlight Tavern on East Main Street from 11 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

“We hope to make parking a little bit easier for people,” Tadeo said.

Franklin Street will be closed throughout the day for the festival, which began as a way to celebrate the rebuilding of the city’s main street and has since become a  tradition in the community.

Music is at the heart of the street festival. The north stage at the corner of Jackson and Franklin streets, will feature the classic rock band Pretty When She’s Angry from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Conscious Pilot, which plays rock and pop, from 1:30 to 5 p.m.

The south stage at the corner of Grand Avenue and Franklin Street will feature Just 2 Dudes, a folk-style band, from 11 to 12:30 p.m. and Shotgun Jane, a country rock band, from 1 to 5 p.m.

There will also be a smaller music stage on Pier Street at the motorcycle and car show where Got Some Blues Band will perform from 1 to 4 p.m.

The motorcycle show will include a number of vehicles from the Badger Heritage Charter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, Tadeo said, adding a descendant of Walter Davidson, a co-founder of Harley-Davidson, will be at the fest.

There will be more than 150 vendor booths set up during the festival, including those selling their products at the farmers market, which this weekend will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A family fun zone on Washington Street will feature everything from pumpkin and gourd decorating to family photo opportunities to a bounce house and face painting.

Two animal rescue operations, the Lakeshore Avian and Reptile Rescue and Sanctuary and Tailwaggers 911, will have some of the turtles, birds and puppies they are caring for at the fest.

A mini-golf putting green will be set up and the Wisconsin Herd basketball team will be at the event, giving out swag.

A caricature artist will do free portraits and an infant care station will also be there.

Businesses will have a variety of wares set up on the street and in their shops, and Harbor Homes, the main event sponsor, will offer hot cider and provide giveways on Main Street.

“There will be a ton of wonderful food and drinks on the street as well as artisan vendors, Tadeo said. “It’s a true family day with a lot of opportunities for people to come out and enjoy without spending a lot. There’s no admission, free shuttles, free music, free photos.”

And, she said, the street fest will be supplemented by other activities. The Port Fire and Police departments will hold their annual open houses from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at their respective stations.