The biggest street festival of the year, a look at historic places, boxing for charity and a big day at the zoo are all happening in Racine County this weekend. Come along with Real Racine.
A huge party. The area’s biggest and best street festival is back this Saturday in Downtown Racine. Party on the Pavement will fill a dozen city blocks with music, food, activities, rides, a car show, an art fair and much more from 12 to 7 p.m. Real Racine will be on hand with maps and information and your chance to win a terrific local prize basket. See us at our booth in front of Johnson Bank – right across from Monument Square. Real Racine is also sponsoring the official Party on the Pavement souvenir cup to hold your seasonal brew at the Monument Square beer garden. Visit www.racinedowntown.com
Visiting history. Preservation Racine’s Historic Places Tour marks its 40th anniversary on Sunday with the theme “Life Along the Lake.” All of the stops are related to Racine’s historic ties to Lake Michigan. They include the Wind Point Lighthouse keepers’ quarters, North Bay Village Hall and the Racine Water Utilities buildings. There are also six private residences, built between 1880 and 1966. The self-led tour runs from 12 to 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance; $17 on tour day. Advance tickets are now on sale at the Real Racine Visitor Center and more than a dozen locations throughout the area or at www.preservationracine.org
Ready to Rumble. Police officers and firefighters from the Racine-Kenosha area will again duke it out in the 2015 Battle of the Badges on Saturday at the Horlick High School field house, 2119 Rapids Drive, Racine. Doors open at 3 p.m.; the fights start at 5 p.m. This fund-raiser for Easter Seals autism programs features 12 boxing bouts. There is also a basket raffle, silent auction and blind-bucket surprises for adults and kids. General admission at the door is $20. VIP tickets at $30 and $50 are available in advance at Wells Brothers Restaurant, Black Belt Karate Studio and Fortners Jewelry.
Three at the Zoo. The Racine Zoo has three big events for World Rhino Day this Saturday. The first-ever Wild 5k Run/Walk starts at 7 a.m. along a course that winds through the zoo and along Lake Michigan. Registration is $30 for zoo members; $35 for non-members. Participants are invited to stay for the World Rhino Day celebration from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Families will enjoy rhino-themed crafts, snacktivities, a scavenger hunt and learn all about the zoo’s rhinos, Timu and Kianga. Regular zoo admission applies. Then from 6 to 9 p.m., adults (age 21 and older) are invited to Winos for Rhinos with wine-tasting, food, live music and silent auctions to benefit the zoo’s rhinos. Tickets are $40 and available at the zoo or Timer’s Beverage Center. Visit www.racinezoo.org
A sign of autumn. A fall tradition returns Saturday as the Tucker 4H Club holds its annual pancake breakfast and harvest craft fair at Swan’s Pumpkin Farm, 5930 Hwy H, Caledonia. The 4Hers will be serving up pancakes and all the trimmings from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults; $4 for kids ages 6 through 12. Kids ages 5 and younger eat free. Saturday is also the kick off for the fall pumpkin season at Swans, which will be open daily through Oct. 31.
Dogs and cats. Lucypawlooza, a family friendly fund-raiser for the Wisconsin Humane Society-Racine campus, is 5 to 10 p.m. Friday at Infusino’s Banquet Hall, 3201 Rapids Drive. It includes pizza, soda, a balloon artists, kids activities and more. Admission is $20.
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