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There might be few more fun ways to kick off the summer season than with Port Washington's Festival of the Arts.
Admission is free for this one-day street festival, which takes place on Saturday, May 31 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Washington Street, in the heart of Port Washington. During the festival, the street is closed to traffic, but open to a diverse line-up of live music, global performing arts acts, hands-on arts-related activities, delicious street food and items for purchase from local artists and merchants.
During the event, participants can try African drumming, explore cultural diversity activities, watch chalk art take shape and meet rescue animals from LARRS Animal Rescue.
Find 9 murals
Guests can also view the stunning murals from the “Paint on Port” Mural Program, a three-year initiative launched in 2023 to enhance community connection and public art vibrancy. One of the murals, installed on the north wall of the Twisted Willow Restaurant at 308 N. Franklin St. was created by 1,500 participants from across North America as part of the Mural Mosaic Global Roots Project.
With nine murals already adorning the town (and five more set to be added throughout the summer) visitors can experience the city’s evolving artistic landscape firsthand.
Watch live performances
Performing Arts Stage (located inside Edison Hall)
- 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. – Tamarind Belly Dance
- 12:30 - 1:00 p.m. – Shaolin Center Chinese Lion Dancer
- 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. – Panadanza Dance Co.
- 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. – Kayla Schetter Dance Co.
- 4:15 - 4:45 p.m. – Syrena Polish Dancers
Live Music Stage (outdoor street stage)
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 p.m. – Fox Valley Symphony
- 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. – KOJO Reggae Band
During the festival, guests can also watch (or participate) as folks attempt to break a Guinness World Record at PDub Plank. During the challenge, dozens of people will line up in a yoga plank and one at a time, pour and drink a sample size PDub Golden Beer in an attempt to set a world record. The event is open to anyone 21+ who can hold a plank while drinking a beer. No pre-registration is necessary! This collaboration between Port Washington Yoga and Inventors Brewpub will take place at 1:15 pm outside on the marina side of Inventors Brewpub.
For more information, visit downtownport.com or follow PW Main Street on social media @downtownportwi.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
