Street Fest, Memorial Day events to kick off summer in downtown Port

There’s plenty of activity to greet summer this Memorial Day weekend in Port Washington.

The 12th annual Community Street Festival will be held Sunday, May 26, on Franklin Street in downtown Port.

Tourist attractions, from the Light Station to the Eghart House, are opening for the season this weekend.

And on Monday, residents will gather to commemorate the war dead during the annual Memorial Day activities.

Franklin Street will close at 9 a.m. Sunday to prepare for the Community Street Festival, which will run from noon to 5 p.m.  The festival is sponsored by Port Main Street Inc.

There will be music by Cat 5 on the north stage at the intersection of Franklin and Jackson streets from noon to 4 p.m. while Sideshow will perform on the south stage near the Harborview Holiday Inn from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The Performing Arts Stage will be at the intersection of Main and Franklin streets with a full slate of musical acts encompassing “all types of music and bands,” Main Street Executive Director Melissa Alexander said.

More than 80 vendors — double the number from last year — will be on the street, offering everything from food and drink to experiences and activities.

“We have something for everyone from produce and plants to pet things. We have things for dads and boys and moms and daughters,” Alexander said.  

“We have a lot of local businesses. We really focused on bringing in more small businesses with followings to try and create that community feeling.”

Children’s activities sponsored by the Port Washington Parks and Recreation Department will be offered in the green space just south of Pier Street, while Impact Dance will provide activities near Port Washington State Bank.

The Disney princesses will be on hand to pose for photos and meet youngsters near Daily Baking Co. at the Boerner Mercantile Building.

The Port High football team will offer a football experience for youngsters in front of Smith Bros. Coffeeshop. 

The Port Washington Fire and Police departments will have areas set up, and Tru Sense Fire Safety will bring its fire dog.

Schmit Bros. dealerships will have some of their vehicles on Main Street west of Franklin.

The Port Exploreum will be open, and tickets for cruises aboard the tall ship Denis Sullivan will be sold in a booth outside the museum.

The ship will be in Port from June 6 to 9.

The first Community Street Festival was held in 2008 as a way for the city to show off the newly reconstructed Franklin Street and for merchants to draw shoppers who had stayed away during the many months of roadwork.

Since then, it has evolved into a laid-back festival where residents linger and sample what the city has to offer.

The only question is the weather, which through the years has ranged from idyllic to stormy.

“I’m just hoping all this rain is out of the system by Sunday,” Alexander said.

“I love the Community Street Festival — I love community and bringing people together. This is a great way to kick off the summer.”

On Monday, May 27, Memorial Day events sponsored by the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post 82 will begin with a 10:30 a.m. parade through downtown. 

The parade will begin on Wisconsin Street near the Ozaukee County Administration Center, head south to Grand Avenue, east to Franklin Street, north to Pier Street, east to  Lake Street and north to Veterans Memorial Park.

A program at the park featuring Ozaukee County American Legion Commander Jim Johnson, who is also the county sheriff, will follow. 

Comments will also be offered by a number of local officials and Van Ells-Schanen Post Commander Jim Schmidt.

The Legion will honor 50-year member Dean Roenhild.

The Badger Boys and Girls sponsored by the Legion post will also be introduced.

The Port Washington High School band will perform patriotic songs.

To salute deceased veterans, a wreath will be placed in the park and taps played. A rifle salute will also be presented by the Ozaukee County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5373.

Following the program, ice cream and soft drinks will be provided by the Legion to youngsters.