KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Free concerts, movie nights, yoga sessions and several new activities will soon return to parks across Kenosha County as county officials roll out another summer schedule packed with weekly events beginning in June.
County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced this week that the county’s annual summer parks programming will return with a mix of familiar favorites and new offerings designed to bring residents outdoors throughout the season.
“The weekly concerts, movies, and yoga nights that have been popular for several years are returning this year, along with some new additions to our busy park programming schedule,” Kerkman said. “Once again, there will be no shortage of events to enjoy in our beautiful county parks.”
Among the returning programs is Yoga in the Park at Petrifying Springs Park in Somers. The free instructor-led classes, presented by Align Wellness Collective, will run Mondays from June 8 through Aug. 10. Officials said all experience levels are welcome.
A new addition this year will be Pilates in the Park, also at Petrifying Springs Park. Those sessions will be held Tuesdays from June 9 through Aug. 11.
Live music also returns with two weekly concert series. Bristol Woodstock concerts will again be held at Bristol Woods Park every Wednesday, while Rhythm on the Lake performances will take place every Thursday at Old Settlers Park in Paddock Lake. Both series run from 6 to 8 p.m. and feature musicians from Kenosha County and beyond. The Paddock Lake Lions Club will provide concessions during the Thursday events.
Movie fans will also have multiple options this summer. Movie Night in the Park returns to Petrifying Springs Park beginning June 19 and running through Aug. 21, with films projected at dusk near the Biergarten area. A second weekly movie series is being introduced at Old Settlers Park, beginning July 11.
The movie lineup includes titles such as A Minecraft Movie, Rocky, The Wizard of Oz, Back to the Future III, Tommy Boy, and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.
County officials are also introducing a new monthly event called “Pages in the Park,” encouraging residents to bring a book and spend an evening reading outdoors. The series will rotate through several county parks with participation from the Kenosha Public Library Bookmobile and Community Library staff. Stops are scheduled at Petrifying Springs Park, Silver Lake Park Beach, Veterans Honor Plaza and other locations through October.
Officials noted that all activities remain weather-dependent and encouraged attendees to bring lawn chairs, blankets and clothing appropriate for changing evening temperatures.
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2 Responses
County Executive Kerkman’s recent comments regarding county park priorities overlook one of Kenosha County’s most active and valuable community assets — Kemper Center.
Kemper Center is not simply a historic campus; it is a county park and a major community gathering place that hosts a wide variety of public events throughout the year. Programs including Music at Twilight, the Kemper Car Show, Holiday Gala, Old Fashioned Fest, Public Markets, weddings, educational events, and community celebrations attract residents and visitors from across the region.
What makes Kemper Center especially remarkable is that these activities are sustained largely through volunteers, sponsors, donors, and community support, with minimal direct county assistance. Kemper Employees maintain the grounds, organize events, raise funds, cut grass, and even handle snow removal responsibilities that would normally require significant county resources.
Rather than being ignored or treated as secondary, Kemper Center should be recognized as a successful example of public-private partnership and community stewardship. The county benefits greatly from the tourism, preservation, educational value, and civic pride generated by the campus.
Kenosha County leadership should work collaboratively with Kemper Center, Inc. to strengthen long-term support for this important county asset and acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of the volunteers and sponsors who continue to preserve and operate the campus for public benefit.
Kemper Center deserves recognition, partnership, and support — not neglect.
How many vehicles accommodate on property parking? Then how many vehicles street curbside before residential street spots become bothersome?