Port Lionsfest goes on but without fishing derby

PORT WASHINGTON - When the 50th annual Lionsfest is held in Port Washington’s Veterans Memorial Park this weekend, there will be one significant change from past festivals — this year, there will not be a fishing tournament held in conjunction with the event.

“It’s unfortunate,” Lionsfest organizer Dave Mueller said.

The fishing derby was discontinued for several reasons, he said, including the fact that participation has been declining steadily for the last several years.

“We used to get 175 to 200 anglers a year,” he said. “The last two years, we barely hit 110 people.”

And because the prize money is based on participation, that meant the club couldn’t offer as large a prize as in the past, Mueller said.

“It’s embarrassing when you have third place prize of $30 and they paid $25 to get in,” he said.

The club also saw some fishermen coming in from Sheboygan and Milwaukee, he said, adding the club sometimes suspected they caught the fish elsewhere and registered them in the tournament.

“We wanted them to be fishing in the borders of Ozaukee County,” Mueller said.

The fact that Sheboygan’s Coho Derby is this weekend was a big factor, he added, especially since fishermen there are allowed to fish out of Port this year.

“You’re going to see a lot of people fishing out of Port Washington,” Mueller said.

All of that, combined with the fact it’s difficult to find volunteers to staff the event, made it a less desirable venture for the club, he said.

The club hopes to reimagine the tournament for next year, he added.

“Maybe next year it’s a kids’ event,” Mueller said.

Lionsfest kicks off on Thursday, which this year will not be run by the Port Lions Club but instead by United Way of Northern Ozaukee, which will staff the event and reap the profits for the night.

“It’s our way of giving back,” Mueller said.

The band for Thursday is the Rev. Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys featuring Westside Andy, which will play from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

On Friday, the Lions Club takes over. The featured band will be Shut the Front Door, which will play a mix of pop, classic rock and country from 6 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, Advanced will play rock and roll classics from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. with Left on Sunset performing rock and pop covers from 6 to 10 p.m.

There will not be a beer garden in Upper Lake Park on Saturday, Mueller said, so Lionsfest will feature many of the beverages people head there for.

On Sunday, the Shad Lads will perform rock, country and popular hits from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

A variety of food will be available for purchase, and there will be two bounce houses for children to play in.

The club will also hold raffles throughout the festival.

Lionsfest will run from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

People are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on and enjoy the atmosphere, Mueller said.