Port has plenty of fun, but no parade, on tap for July 4

ities to enjoy in Port Washington on the Fourth of July.

Both the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion and its Auxiliary have a full slate of activities scheduled to celebrate Independence Day.

“It’ll be a good atmosphere for families and friends to gather and celebrate, and that’s what we’re all about,” Recreation Director Kiley Scherer said. “I think it’s a good day to celebrate as a community.”

The Parks and Recreation Department’s slate of activities begins at 11 a.m. in Veterans Memorial Park with the annual bike decorating contest.

Youngsters will decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons and strollers in patriotic styles to compete for prizes in age categories.

Decorating kits may be picked up at the Recreation Department office, 201 N. Webster St., or at Port Washington State Bank through July 1.

Children and their bikes have previously been featured in the Fourth of July parade, but that hasn’t been held since the beginning of the pandemic and will not be held this year.

Registration for a cornhole tournament for adults will be held at 11 a.m. with play beginning at 11:30 a.m. A cash prize will be awarded.

The tournament is limited to eight teams of two people, and there is a $30 cash fee.

Potato sack races will be held at noon and a water balloon toss at 12:30 p.m. — an event Scherer said was won by an older couple last year.

“They were all about having fun and enjoying the competition with the kids,” she said.

A cartwheel and hula hoop contest will be held at 1 p.m., and at 1:30 p.m. there will be a hunt to find 120 hidden American flags in the park.

There will be other activities at the outdoor pool, including family and friends relay race at 2 p.m. and a biggest splash contest at 3 p.m.

Beach balls will be handed out to swimmers to have fun throughout the afternoon, Scherer said.

The Legion will host its celebration at the clubhouse, aka Inventor’s Brewpub, at 435 N. Lake St.

Arts and crafts for people of all ages will be done from noon to 5 p.m. and a host of food and beverages, including the Post 82 Centennial Amber, throughout the event.

Live music by Clovers Wanderings will be played from 2 to 5 p.m.

A patriotic pet costume contest will be held from noon to 2:45 p.m.

Small animals in carriers will be judged from noon to 12:45 p.m., cats in carriers from 1 to 1:45 p.m. and dogs on leashes from 2 to 2:45 p.m.

A patriotic pet and partner parade will be held throughout downtown beginning at 3 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded for pet costumes and parade entries.

The Legion sponsored service dogs will be on hand, and a photo booth will be set up at Eclectic Avenue.

There will also be raffles.

The holiday will be capped with a fireworks display shot off from Coal Dock Park at dusk.