Plan to spend your day downtown on Saturday, September 22 for the 16th annual Party on the Pavement street festival presented by the Downtown Racine Corporation.
With over 12 blocks filled with live music, incredible food and drinks, street performances, shopping, games and rides, there is something for the whole family. The day’s festivities kick off at noon and run until 7:00 pm. Admission to the Party on the Pavement grounds is free, which takes place throughout downtown on Main Street from State Street to 7th Street and all of 6th Street from Lake Avenue to City Hall.
If the excitement of Party on the Pavement alone wasn’t enough, there are a few world record breakers in attendance! Stop in SheaBrojae’s Natural Expressions (330 Main St.) and meet Asha Mandela, the Guinness World Record holder for longest hair lock measuring in at over 92ft! Asha, proudly known around the world as the “Black Rapunzel”, has appeared on many television shows such as The View, My Strange Addiction, Strange Love and countless news channels.
Party on the Pavement also boasts another record breaker this year. Brody Ervin, who at just seven years old, is perhaps the youngest person to land a backflip on a BMX bike. Make sure you stop by the BMX Zone (corner of College Ave. and 6th St.) to catch a show by Division BMX Stunt Team, and you might just see world record breaking stunts!
Party on the Pavement has been a major destination for music lovers from all over Southeastern Wisconsin, and this year is no exception. Whether you are a fan of country, rock ’n roll, hip-hop or everything in between, this year’s diverse lineup has something for everyone. With three stages of live music throughout downtown, you will be dancing through the streets all day long. Here are a few bands making their Party on the Pavement debut:
The Tommy Bentz Band is a blues-rock band based in western Wisconsin who have toured regionally in the US and bi-annually to the UK. Jamming to the style of “The Allman Brothers meets Van Morrison” for over 15 years, Racine native Tommy Bentz leads the band as the singer, songwriter and guitarist with soloing chops that radiate throughout the performance. To go along with their original music, they boast a list of covers from the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Beatles and many others!
Eric Look Band is a Milwaukee based band specializing in 60’s, 70’s and 80’s pop and rock covers along with original songs written by autistic recording artist, Eric Look. Highly inspired by Jim Croce, Tom Petty, The Beatles and Elvis, Eric reminds us of the joy we all felt when we heard these original and iconic artists for the first time. Former Milwaukee news anchor, Michele McCormak, and Amy DuPont of Fox 6 News will be accompanying him with background vocals.
The full lineup can be found at racinedowntown.com/partyonthepavement.
Indulge in the array of international cuisine from the downtown restaurants and food vendors lining both 6th and Main Streets. This is the perfect time to try something new with Spanish, Filipino, Italian, Korean, Thai, Japanese, Mexican, Irish, Jamaican and American cuisines available all day long. The aroma stimulating your taste buds will make it impossible to walk down the street without grabbing a bite from every stop, so make sure you come with an appetite.
Let the kids burn off some energy from all the sweets at the Fun Zone. Here, you will find a number of your favorite carnival rides like a giant slide, spaceship and obstacle course bounce houses, Merry-go-Round and Spinning Berries. Throughout the festival, keep your eyes peeled and cameras ready for photos with some recognizable faces. A few of these include the Milwaukee Admiral’s mascot Roscoe, Marcus Theaters’ mascot Stubby, Texas Roadhouse’s mascot Andy the Armadillo, Star Wars characters and various other costumed characters.
For a full map and list of activities, pick up our booklet found at the DRC Office (425 Main St) and at shops and restaurants throughout downtown.
Event Sponsors
- Johnson Financial Group
- Twin Disc
- S.C. Johnson
- Joey’s West, Lathrop & Taylor
- Gruber Law Offices
- Shorewest Realtors
- CJW, Inc.
- Dewey’s Restaurant & Sports Bar
- Community State Bank
- Uncorkt
- Landmark Credit Union
- Dimple’s Imports LLC
- ActiveBody Fitness
- GLR – Gendlin, Liverman & Rymer
- Porcaro Indian Motorcycle of Racine
- Reefpoint Marina
- Lakeview Pharmacy
Party on the Pavement, Racine’s biggest street festival, is a community celebration that grows bigger and bigger every year.
Stop by Racine County Eye‘s booth at 410 Main Street and say hello! We will be planting face tattoos all day.
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