This Racine County weekend brings a three-day festival, a German celebration, boxing, running and one more chance at a play. We have it all for you at Real Racine.
Three days in Waterford. A popular fall event has been expanded to three days. The River’s Edge Festival, presented by Absolutely Waterford, now includes an art walk and two more days of activities throughout Downtown Waterford. The Art Walk runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday with art demonstrations, food vendors, entertainment, bounce houses and a free trolley shuttle. The festival continues from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday with scarecrow building, pumpkin painting and face painting in Ten Club Park. There is also a chili cook-off at the old firehouse, 122 N. Second St., to benefit Waterford High School’s art program. Live music at Village Hall Park, 123 N. River St., runs from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (bring your lawn chair). Families are invited to a showing of “Paddington 2” at dusk at 408 E. Main St. On Sunday, a Packers tailgate party runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with food and beverages at the old firehouse. Absolutely Waterford will be running a cash prize raffle all weekend with a top prize of $3,000. Visit www.absolutelywaterford.org
A taste of Germany. The first-ever Oktoberfest brings dance, games and, of course, German beer to the Franksville Craft Beer Garden, 9416 Northwestern Ave., Caledonia. There’s live music by Dobie the Concertina Man on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Other entertainment includes Jay Matthes on Thursday evening, the Love Monkeys on Friday evening and Rebel Grace on Saturday evening. You’ll also find a kraut eating contest on Friday and a stein holding contest on Saturday. Free admission and parking. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 12 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. VIP packages, including a commemorative beer stein, two beers, VIP seating and a swag bag, are available (order at: www.franksvillecraftbeergarden.com). It’s all presented by the Franksville Craft Beer Garden and Educators Credit Union. A portion of the proceeds with benefit the Caledonia and Mount Pleasant recreation departments.
Go West. West Fest is a one-day seasonal festival from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the West Racine district. Drop by the Farmer’s Market site at Washington Avenue and West Boulevard for a beer garden, entertainment and information about local businesses and services. Presented by the West Racine Business Alliance. Visit www.westracine.org
Doing battle. Spirited boxing competition among area police officers and firefighters is on tap for Saturday’s fourth Battle of the Badges: The Fight for Autism at the Case High School fieldhouse, 7345 Washington Ave., Mount Pleasant. This family-friendly event includes kids’ activities, raffles, silent auction, food vendors and police officers and firefighters boxing it out for bragging rights. Doors open at 3 p.m.; the matches start at 5 p.m. General admission is $20; VIP seats are $35 and $50. Proceeds go to Autism Solution Pieces, Midwest Therapeutic Riding and the Band of Blue.
Along the river. The Run for Shelter 5k, benefiting Racine Habitat for Humanity, gets underway at 9 a.m. Sunday from the Island Park pavilion, 1700 Liberty St. The timed race course runs along the paved Root River Pathway – not far from some completed Habitat homes. Racine Habitat for Humanity is celebrating its 30th anniversary and the construction of its 100th home. Registration is $30 and includes a t-shirt, finisher medal, goody bag and raffle. Trophies awarded to the overall top male and female participants. Register at: www.runforshelter.5k.run
Gyros in the fall. Kimissis Greek Orthodox Church, 1335 S. Green Bay Road, has a Fall Mini Greek Fest this year. The festival, featuring great food like gyros, chicken and baklava, is Friday through Sunday on the church grounds. There are also carnival rides, Greek coffee, beer, free face painting on Saturday and a lamb dinner on Sunday. Free admission and parking. Festival hours are: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 12 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.kimissis.org
Your last chance. The Racine Theatre Guild’s production of the comedy farce “Blithe Spirit” wraps up its run this weekend at the RTG stage, 2519 Northwestern Ave. A bargain-priced performance ($14 adults; $12 seniors; $9 children) is at 7 p.m. Thursday. Other shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. For tickets, call 262-633-4218 or visit www.racinetheatre.org
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