The first weekend of August brings the summer’s BIGGEST Sunday. Choose from an ethnic festival, the Starving Artist Fair and a crafts bazaar – all free! This Racine County weekend also features a Downtown party, an evening run/walk and a lighthouse climb. Come along with us at Real Racine.
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! The first Sunday of August has three great reasons to get out and about – and they’re all free! Armenian Fest runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Paul P. Harris Rotary Park, 5 Fifth St. Presented by St. Mesrob Armenian Church, the festival features home-made Armenian delicacies (shish-kebab, sarma and lahmajoon) plus dancing. Free admission (donations accepted for charities). The annual Starving Artist Fair at East Park, 1001 S. Main St., marks its 50th anniversary from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Look for fine arts of all kinds for sale (priced at $300 and less) as well as food and entertainment. Presented by the Racine Art Guild – free admission. Right across the street from the Starving Artist Fair is the Job’s Daughters 42nd Annual Craft Fair, 1012 Main St. It features more than 70 crafters from Wisconsin and Illinois from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Yes, it’s free.
Making it First. This Friday is a First Friday in Downtown Racine from 4 to 9 p.m. Shops and galleries are open with shopping and artist demonstrations. You’ll find food and drink specials at Downtown nightspots. There’s live music (and a beer garden) at Monument Square featuring The Dillweeds bluegrass band. You’ll find more live music along Sixth Street at Paul Harris Plaza with Friday Night Lights and at Indian Motorcycle with Yesterday’s Children. At Crosswalk Park on Main Street, musician Jeff Ward performs. More at www.FirstFridaysRacine.com
Light of the moon. Lace up your shoes and get moving this Saturday night in Waterford. The Full Moon 4-Miler Run/Walk gets underway at 8:30 p.m. from Evergreen Elementary School, 817 W. Main St. Check-in starts at 6:30 p.m. Stick around for snacks, awards and an after-party at St. Thomas Aquinas School. Registration is $30. Details at the Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce website: www.waterford-wi.org
Snakes, alive. See snakes, geckos and more at SEWERFest (Southeast Wisconsin Exotic Reptile Festival) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Fountain Hall, 8505 Durand Ave., Sturtevant. Organizers are expecting 50+ dealers with reptiles on display and sale. Admission is $5 adults; $1 children ages 12 and younger. Details at: www.sewerfest.com
Make the climb. If you haven’t climbed to the top of the historic Wind Point Lighthouse, you’re missing a great summer tradition. The 108-foot tall structure, 4725 Lighthouse Drive, is open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. this Sunday. Wear sturdy shoes and be ready to climb 144 steps for spectacular views. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 through 11. Because of safety considerations, children ages 5 and younger are not permitted to make the climb. Reservations are a must. Visit www.windpointlighthouse.org
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