Kenosha HarborMarket, a vibrant European-style market, will open its 24th outdoor season on Saturday, May 2nd through Saturday, Oct. 31st, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in its same location, 2nd Avenue, just west of the Kenosha Museums, between 54th and 56th Streets. The season will run every Saturday through Oct. 31, except July 4th.
The indoor Winter HarborMarket continues from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 and 25, at the Kenosha Woman’s Club, 6028 8th Ave., Kenosha. Accessible entrance and ample parking behind the building off Sheridan Road.
“Kenosha HarborMarket has had a wonderful indoor season, but vendors and customers, and the community in general, are always excited about the start of the outdoor season,” Andrea Forgianni, Kenosha HarborMarket executive director, said. “The market has been voted the Best of Kenosha event for the past five years because of the wide variety of vendors, the locally-grown fruits and vegetables, the range of food options to eat on site or to take home to make, handcrafted items and family-friendly atmosphere and activities. And of course, the picturesque park-like location on the lakefront allows for a scenic shopping experience, with easy access to parking, the Kenosha Trolley and so many more wonderful downtown businesses.”
Opening day will feature more than 110 small businesses filling 140 booths. HarborMarket has seen strong growth year over year for both the number of vendors and customers participating in the outdoor season, and this year that growth will continue.
“Many favorite vendors are returning and are also going to be more than 20 new vendors on May 2nd alone,” Forgianni said. “There will also be more than 30 prepared food and beverage vendors on opening day. We encourage people to get breakfast and lunch and enjoy the music, bookmobile and other free activities.” Opening day music will be provided by Moon Child, featuring country music, and Doze 2 Guyz, acoustic classic rock. Lemon Street Gallery will be set up with free craft activities for all ages.
New at HarborMarket this year will be an activities area, with the theme, Savor Saturdays at Kenosha HarborMarket. Every Saturday, the all-ages, family-friendly activities will be held in the green space just east of 2nd Ave, near the 55th St walkway. All Savor Saturdays events are free.
- The first Saturdays of each month will be led by Lemon Street Gallery, with art-focused activities for all ages.
- The second Saturdays of each month will be Savor the Flavor Kitchen Demonstration at 11 a.m. Kevin Ervin, co-owner of Franks Diner, will be the first chef featured at Savor the Flavor at HarborMarket on May 9th.
- The third Saturday of each month will be Celebrating 250 years of America.
- The fourth Saturday of each month will be Books and Bubbles at HarborMarket, featuring a story time at 11 a.m. followed by big bubble fun. The first reader of the season on May 23rd will be Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala.
Returning to Kenosha HarborMarket every Saturday will be the Kenosha Public Library’s Bookmobile on 2ndAvenue and 56th St., which is another activity that families enjoy, said Forgianni.
“We are grateful to the City of Kenosha, including the office of the Mayor, the City Parks Department, the Public Works Department, and the Kenosha Public Museum, and the Kenosha Public Library for their support of the wonderful vendors and the excellent customers of Kenosha HarborMarket. One of the hallmarks of a vibrant city is its variety of options for outdoor activities for families and we’re happy to be a part of this great city again this year, as we have for over two decades,” Forgianni said. “We look forward to again welcoming over 200 vendors and 200,000 customers to 2nd Ave this outdoor season.”
For more information about Kenosha HarborMarket, visit Facebook and Instagram, and its website at www.kenoshaharbormarket.com.