Summertime and outdoor band concerts just go together! This weekend in Racine County, you can take in two of these free concerts as well as a food event, a lighthouse climb and pre-July 4 fun. Real Racine has lots of great ideas.
Two community bands. Bring a lawn chair, pack a snack and get ready to enjoy marches, pop songs, show tunes, jazz and classics. Racine County’s two community bands are performing this weekend. First up is the Burlington Kiwanis Civic Band. Its weekly concert starts at 7 p.m. Friday at Echo Park, 589 Milwaukee St. This band performs each Friday through July 28. The Racine Concert Band kicks off its 95th season at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Racine Zoo, 2131 N. Main St. Please use the Walton Avenue and Augusta Street gates. Long-time radio personality Don Rosen returns as the emcee. The Racine Concert Band’s performances continue on Sunday evenings through Aug. 13.
International tastes. Try something different Thursday evening. Milaeger’s, 4838 Douglas Ave., Caledonia, presents “World on a Plate, a Tasting Celebration of Nations” from 5 to 9 p.m. Ten guest chefs will prepare a variety of international cuisine (Chinese, Greek, Jamaican, Filipino and more) that you can purchase ala carte. There’s also live music from the 12-piece Steel Doves Steel Band. Admission is $10 and includes a commemorative World on a Plate glass. Advance registration at 800-669-1229.
Rock out Thursday. Waterford River Rhythms is back from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday with the music of Think Floyd USA, a Pink Floyd tribute band. The free concert is at Village Hall Park, 123 N. River St., Waterford. Bring your lawn chair or blanket. Waterford River Rhythms concerts continue through Aug. 24. Details and schedule at www.waterfordriverrhythms.org
Light up the night. A July 4 holiday weekend tradition continues with Browns Lake Venetian Night on Saturday. The fun starts at 4:30 p.m. with the Aquaducks water-ski junior show followed by the main show at 6 p.m. both at Fischer Park, 30326 Durand Ave., Burlington. Stick around for fireworks at dusk followed the ring of fire lights around the shoreline. It’s all free.
Make the climb. You get another chance to climb the Wind Point Lighthouse, 4725 Lighthouse Drive, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. It’s a rigorous climb up the 144 steps to the top but everyone agrees the view is well worth the effort. Visitors are also welcome to explore the grounds and the Fog Horn Building. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 through 11. Because of safety considerations, children age 5 and younger are not allowed to make the climb. Reservations suggested. Visit www.windpointlighthouse.org
Looking toward the Fourth. The United State celebrates its 241st birthday this coming Tuesday (July 4). Racine County will make it a party with fireworks shows, dances and four different parades. Visit the Real Racine website for this year’s Independence Day list: www.realracine.com
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