SOMERS — Thousands descended upon Petrifying Springs Park Saturday evening for Kenosha County’s annual Picnic in the Park event.
“Every parking place is full, so I’m betting several thousand people turned out,” said Kenosha County Parks Director Matt Collins while helping to direct traffic Saturday evening. “We’ve got a steady flow of people coming into the park for the event. That’s a very good thing and it’s a beautiful day. … This is a celebration of the parks.”
The event, held on the south end of the park, 5555 Seventh St., included live music, fireworks, kids’ games and food vendors. Originally set for last weekend, it was scheduled due to threats of severe weather. The county’s Parks Department organizes the event.
Western Kenosha County Transit provided shuttle services for visitors to the Biergarten and parking areas. Overflow parking and shuttle services were available at nearby University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
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First held from the late-1980s to the early-1990s and revived last year following the COVID-19 pandemic, Picnic in the Park aimed to raise awareness of the county’s parks system.
Collins said Petrifying Springs Park is by far the most popular public space in the county.
“Last year, we had 1.4 million people visit this park,” he said. “It’s about 500 acres when combined with the golf course.”
Tim Wade, owner of Hyde and Cheese food truck, was busy selling grilled cheese sandwiches Saturday evening.
“I love it out here,” he said. “We were actually here for all the special events here this summer. “
Felicia Banks, of Kenosha, attended the event for the first time with her family.
“I think it’s great. There’s a lot to do with the kids and the food so far is great,” she said.
And even though summer is winding down and students are headed back to school, Collins said the fall is also “extremely busy for the parks.”
Upcoming events
The fall season has a number of events scheduled at Kenosha County Parks, including:
Sunday, Sept 4: Southern Wisconsin All Airborne Chapter Car Show at Petrifying Springs Park. The car show moved from Simmons Island to “Pets” in 2021 “and it was wildly successful,” said Collins. “It’s a beautiful open space, and a lot of classic cars — more than 450 — fit in there.”
Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 8-11: USCA National Sieger Show (German Shepherd Dog Show) at Petrifying Springs Park.
Saturday, Sept 10: Oktoberfest at Old Settlers Park, Paddock Lake. “This event has been going on for more than a decade,” Collins said of the annual celebration, highlighted by the popular “Dachshund Dash” wiener dog race. “It’s run by a dedicated group of local volunteers, with the proceeds going to fund the building of a permanent band shell at the park.” Construction of that band shell, he said, should begin later this fall.
Friday-Sunday, Sept. 16-18: Petrifying Springs Beer Garden Oktoberfest. “This is a huge event,” Collins said, “which draws a big crowd.” As for why these “Oktoberfest” events are happening in September and not October, he explained that the “Oktoberfest” name refers to the seasonal beers and not the month. Also, Wisconsin weather in September is more generally more favorable for outdoor events — and “Septemberfest” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
Saturday, Sept 17: Fall Fun Fest at the Pringle Nature Center in Bristol Woods Park. “This is a traditional event with hay rides, animal demonstrations, children’s crafts and food, Collins said. Though it’s in mid-September “it always seems to be scorching hot that day,” he said, adding that “we planted a lot of trees there, so in about 20 years we’ll have more shade.”
Saturday, Sept 17: Pike River Cleanup at Petrifying Springs Park.
Saturday, Sept 24: Fall Wheel Ride. This event starts in Kennedy Park, with bike riders heading to Petrifying Springs Park, where they’ll find refreshments and bike-friendly activities.
Saturday, Sept 24: Tri-Fox Flex Disc Golf Tournament at Silver Lake Park.
Saturday, Oct. 8th: Flannel Fest at Petrifying Springs Park. This event, which was new in 2021, features the Jockey Undie Run and a lumberjack show.
IN PHOTOS AND VIDEO: “Leprechaun & Lederhosen” Beer Run in Somers on Saturday, March 12, 2022
Leprechaun & Lederhosen
Jack Bridleman, of Trevor, left, competes with Matt Reiser, of Chicago, center, in a rock, paper, scissors match as Kyle Taylor, of the Boys and Girls Club, referees during the the Leprechaun & Lederhosen .1K Beer Run fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club at the Petrifying Springs Biergarten on Saturday, March 12, 2022. The pair tied for first place in the race and had the standoff to name the winner. Bridleman won the match.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
Leprechaun & Lederhosen
The foam head of the beers at the finish line froze during the the Leprechaun & Lederhosen .1K Beer Run fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club at the Petrifying Springs Biergarten on Saturday.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
Leprechaun & Lederhosen
Racers take glasses of beer at a hydration station during the the Leprechaun & Lederhosen .1K Beer Run fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club at the Petrifying Springs Biergarten on Saturday, March 12, 2022.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
Leprechaun & Lederhosen
The foam tops of beers at the hydration stations freeze during the the Leprechaun & Lederhosen .1K Beer Run fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club at the Petrifying Springs Biergarten on Saturday, March 12, 2022.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
Leprechaun & Lederhosen
Matt Reiser, of Chicago, front left, and Jack Bridleman, of Trevor, race to tie for first place during the the Leprechaun & Lederhosen .1K Beer Run fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club at the Petrifying Springs Biergarten on Saturday.
SEAN KRAJACIC photos, KENOSHA NEWS
Leprechaun & Lederhosen
Hogan Maguire runs with his 1-year-old Cardigan Welsh Corgi during the the Leprechaun & Lederhosen .1K Beer Run fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club at the Petrifying Springs Biergarten on Saturday, March 12, 2022.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
Leprechaun & Lederhosen
A leprechaun was looming about during the the Leprechaun & Lederhosen .1K Beer Run fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club at the Petrifying Springs Biergarten on Saturday, March 12, 2022.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
Leprechaun & Lederhosen
Heidi Schold, of Racine, center, and Jessica Boivin, of Nekoosa, run during the the Leprechaun & Lederhosen .1K Beer Run fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club at the Petrifying Springs Biergarten on Saturday, March 12, 2022.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
Leprechaun & Lederhosen
Kristin Grunewald, of Sheboygan, removes the frozen foam from her beer at a hydration station during the the Leprechaun & Lederhosen .1K Beer Run fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club at the Petrifying Springs Biergarten on Saturday, March 12, 2022.
KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC
Hundreds take part in ‘Leprechaun and Lederhosen 0.1K Beer Run’
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