These clear, warm summer evenings are great for watching the stars. You can do that, take in a fiesta, watch some basketball and much more in Racine County this weekend. Real Racine has these suggestions.
Reaching for the stars This week is prime time for stargazing. The Perseids meteor shower, which annually produces thousands of meteors, takes place Aug. 9-14 this year. The Racine Astronomical Society is holding its monthly free open house 8-11 p.m. Friday at the Modine-Benstead Observatory, 112 63rd Drive, Yorkville. The observatory is truly one of the county's hidden gems. It consists of two domed buildings located on one of the highest points in the area. The main building houses a 16-inch, custom-designed reflecting telescope. A second, smaller building houses a 14-inch reflecting telescope. Visitors can view stars, plants and maybe even a few meteors through the main telescopes and through members' personal telescopes set up on the grounds. Please call 262-878-2774 to check on weather conditions. Visit www.rasastro.org
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More sky watching. Learn sky watching basics, including spotting those Perseids meteors, at a free program starting at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12 at the River Bend Nature Center, 3600 N. Green Bay Rd. Presenters Joseph and Mary Glover will show you how to find and identify constellations in the night sky. Monday is expected to be the peak viewing period for the Perseids with as many as 60 meteors an hour burning in the earth's atmosphere. Call 262-639-1515 or visit www.RiverBendRacine.org
Find out what's happening in Mount Pleasant-Sturtevantwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Fiesta time. Racine Fiesta 2013 brings music, food and entertainment to Festival Park, 5 Fifth St., on Saturday and Sunday. Two major Texas bands - Grupo Fama and Grupo La Traizion - are the headliners along with Tejano groups from throughout the region. The fun includes a grito (an enthusiastic yell) contest and a jalapeno eating contest with cash prizes. Grounds open at 1 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. Admission is $12 for adults; kids ages 12 and younger are free with an adult. Tickets are available at the Civic Centre box office and at the gate. The fiesta is presented by the Hispanic Business and Professionals Association.
Basketball action. The Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament is back for its fourth visit on Saturday and Sunday. This tournament has players from throughout the Midwest competing in men, women and junior divisions. It's presented locally by Racine Youth Sports. The action takes place at Gateway Technical College, 1001 S. Main St. Games start at 10 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. Stop by and see it! Visit www.macker.com/tournaments/racinewi
Saturday morning cars. Get out of bed early to see some great cars. Roma Lodge presents Coffee & Cars Rendevous 7-11 a.m. Saturday at 7130 Spring St. It's free to show your car and free to drop by and watch.
For the dogs. The Greater Racine Kennel Club annual All Breed Dog Show is Sunday and Monday at Pershing Park, 100 Pershing Drive. It includes competition, obedience trials and a vendor fair. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday. Sunday admission is $2 for adults, $1 for kids and $5 for families. There is no admission charge on Monday.
Real Racine is all about helping you have fun. Visit our website (www.realracine.com) for more events and activities. Daily updates on Facebook (www.facebook.com/realracine) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/realracine).
