A "new" Monument Square Art Festival is back at Downtown's square. A run. a climb and a concert are also on tap in Racine County this weekend.
Art festival comes full circle. The Monument Square Art Festival returns to Downtown Racine's Monument Square for the first time in several years Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2. The 51-year-old event, most recently staged at Festival Hall, is now organized by a consortium of local artists and the Racine Arts Council. Get ready for two days of quality art on sale and a celebration of art activities. Creations, in a variety of media, from 60 Midwestern artists can be seen with live music. A special "art pick up area" will be available along the 500 block of Main Street. Free, hand-on activities are planned for the "MSAF for Kids" area along Fifth St. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Running for a cause. The annual Cree Cruise (formerly the Ruud Rush) is Saturday morning at Cree Inc., 9201 Washington Ave., Sturtevant. This family friendly, community 5k run/walk benefits Recreational Activities for the Developmentally Disabled (RADD). Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the run/walk gets under way at 8:30. A kids walk is 9:45 a.m. There is also live entertainment and prizes. Register online at www.creecruise.org
Everybody's bucket list should include a climb up the 144 steps of the Wind Point Lighthouse, 4725 Lighthouse Drive, Wind Point. The first climb of the season for a spectacular view is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Friends of the Wind Point Lighthouse give the tours and answer questions about Lake Michigan's tallest and oldest working lighthouse. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for kids ages 6 through 12. Advance reservations are a must. 262-880-8266
Celebrate 60 years of music. The Kiwanis Youth Music Program (also known as the Kiwanis Youth Symphony) celebrates its 60th birthday on Saturday with a free concert at the Case High School theater, 7345 Washington Ave., Mount Pleasant. The youth, ranging from elementary to high school age, will be joined by alumni who now perform in the Racine Symphony Orchestra and other organizations. The concert starts at 2 p.m. and is followed by a celebration dinner. Please make dinner reservations by calling 262-497-8839.
Food, cars, vans and bikes. Like horsepower with your barbecue? The Racine County Fairgrounds in Union Grove is the place to be on Sunday. The Union Grove Lions Club serves up barbecue chicken from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. While you're there, take in the free car, van and motorcycle show from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is also bake sale and quilt raffle. The meal is $9 for adults; $6 for kids age 12 and younger. Admission to the grounds is free.
Have a great Real Racine weekend. Visit our website (www.realracine.com) for more events. You're invited to like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/realracine) or follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/realracine)
