Better-late-than-never street fest set for Saturday

It may be six months later than usual, but Port Washington will host its community street festival on Saturday, Oct. 9.

“In the past, it’s been a way to kick off the season. This year we turned it on its head and it’s closing out the season,” Port Main Street Inc. Executive Director Kristina Tadeo said.

“It’s been a great community event, and it’s a great opportunity for us as a community to come down and enjoy what the city has to offer. We often think of downtown as our community hub, and it truly is that.”

The festival, which will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is filled with activities for the entire family that will celebrate not just Port Washington but the fall harvest season.

The festival will include an extended farmers market, which typically only runs until 1 p.m., as well as about 50 vendors and 20 businesses set up in downtown.

There will be a pie contest at 11:30 a.m.  that will feature two categories of the sweet treats — apple pies and an “anything goes” category. The contest will be on East Pier Street near Frankie’s.

A photographer will be stationed on East Pier Street just east of Franklin Street from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to take free family photos with a backdrop that includes a vintage truck and straw bales.

“We’re hoping this will be a way for families to take a photo that they could include in their holiday cards or just have as a keepsake,” Tadeo said.

A family activity zone run by Starr Fitness will offer challenge-based activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Franklin Street near Eye-Q Optical, and fall games by the Port Washington Parks and Recreation Department will be held on East Washington Street east of Franklin Street.

And a football experience, including some drills and photos, will be run by the Port Buccaneers and Port Pirates from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the alley between Sharbuno Jewelers and Port Washington State Bank. 

Face painting will be offered from noon to 3 p.m. at the corner of Franklin and Washington streets near Gallery 224.

Pumpkins will be available for decorating on Grand Avenue near Re/Max United beginning at 11 a.m. and running until the supplies are gone. When completed, the pumpkins can be taken home by participants.

In addition, downtown merchants will be offering specials and many will have booths on the street, Tadeo said.

No festival is complete without music, and the street festival is no exception. The band Cat 5 will play from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the north stage on Franklin Street at Jackson Street, while Sun at the South will play the south stage on Franklin Street at Grand Avenue from noon to 4 p.m.

The radio station Buzz Country 92.5 will also broadcast from downtown from11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tadeo noted that Franklin Street will close at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, as will Grand Avenue from Wisconsin Street east to Franklin, as the festival is set up. A number of the side streets off Franklin Street will also be partially closed for the festival.

One lane of Grand Avenue will remain open for customers of the Harborview hotel, she said.

Custom Wire Technologies is the main sponsor of the festival, and Port Washington State Bank is the major performing arts sponsor.