The Parks on Tap Biergarten will kick-off this weekend with it’s first stop at Smolenski Park in Mount Pleasant. Created in partnership with the Village of Mount Pleasant Parks and Rec Department, the pop-up Biergarten visits four parks in Mount Pleasant over six weekends throughout the summer.
This weekend’s stop is the first in the schedule and features more than just beer to enjoy. There is live music on both Friday and Saturday nights – with local duo Subtle Undertones playing Friday from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., and multi-genre musician Ethan Keller on Saturday from 6-9 p.m. In addition to live music, the family movie “Sherlock Gnomes” will be shown on Friday evening at dusk. The Movies in the Park series is sponsored by the Mount Pleasant Parks and Rec Department and brings a movie on Friday nights to each Parks on Tap weekend. Children are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy a gnome hunt in the park at 7 p.m. Every day of the Biergarten will have yard games, a full playground, and plenty of summer fun.
The Biergarten features food from The Summit Food Truck and six beers on tap from Lakefront Brewery, Miller Brewing Co, Wisconsin Brewing Co., Hofbrau and Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company. Beer will be available to purchase in souvenir pint glasses or souvenir liter mugs. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and non-alchoholic beverages if they choose. Dogs are welcome at the Biergarten, provided they are leashed and looked after.
Each stop of the Parks on Tap Biergarten benefits a different non-profit partner in the community, with a portion of proceeds going to that organization. Parks on Tap has partnered with the Racine Royals for this first stop of the tour. The Racine Royals is a traveling youth basketball team that focuses on community involvement beyond basketball skills. Members from the team will be giving dribbling demonstrations and will be available for challenge games during the weekend.
The Parks on Tap Biergarten is open Thursday 5-9 p.m., Friday 4-10 p.m., Saturday Noon – 9 p.m. and Sunday Noon – 7 p.m. The Biergarten is located in Smolenski Park, at 438 S. Stuart Road, Mount Pleasant. Parking and entry is always free, and non-alchoholic carry-ins are welcome. Additional dates in the Parks on Tap Biergarten schedule are: July 5-7 at Stewart-McBride Park, July 18-21 at Campus Park, August 2-4 at Stewart-McBride Park, August 16-17 at Lake Park and September 12-15 at Campus Park.
Parks on Tap Biergarten is operated by Hop Heads Hospitality & Events. Hop Heads is co-owned by the husband and wife team of Ken and Molly Michel, and specializes in community-based events and gathering spaces. They are responsible for opening Racine County’s first and only permament beer garden, the Franksville Craft Beer Garden, in 2018. In addition, Hop Heads operates events such as the Franksville Food Truck Festival, Oktoberfest of Greater Racine, Belle City Biergarten, Wisco Summer Beer Festival and other events throughout the summer.