Top things to do in Kenosha this weekend:
While New Year’s Eve celebrations complete with toasts and music highlight this week’s lineup, here are several activities that offer a different take on the holidays:
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PHOTO: GO SPORTS AMERICA
Holiday Hoops Classic
Through Friday (Dec. 30)
UW-Parkside DeSimone Arena, 900 Wood Rd. and Carthage College Tarble Arena, 2001 Alford Dr.
Area high school boys and girls basketball teams square off in a holiday tourney.
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First Day Hike
1-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023
Richard Bong State Recreation Area, 26313 Burlington Rd., Kansasville.
Kick off the new year with our annual First Day Hike! Trail TBD based on the weather and trail conditions. Vehicle admission sticker is required: $8 per day for vehicles with Wisconsin plates (seniors $3) / $11 for vehicles with out-of-state plates. Annual state park vehicle admission sticker is also available. State Park daily passes are also available through the Kenosha Public Library.
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1LT Edna Gray: WWII Army Nurse
Through Friday (Dec. 30)
Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Pl.
Edna Gray was 35 years old when she became the first Kenoshan to become a Red Cross volunteer to be an Army nurse in 1943. After a short familiarization training at Camp (now Fort) McCoy, she was sent to Europe. Supporting the Normandy landings and the campaign into Germany, The exhibit at the Kenosha History Center is drawn from 1LT Gray’s scrapbook, researched and compiled by Royanne Moon.
THE LINEUP
THURSDAY, Dec. 29
Music
Rhythm Dogs Blues Jam, 8 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave.
Cool Yule with Harmonix, 7 p.m., Wyndham Garden Hotel, 5125 6th Ave. This six-week residency runs through Dec. 30. This weekend’s shows are: 7 p.m. Thursday and 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Art
Anderson Arts Center Annual Winter Juried Exhibition, 1-4 p.m., Anderson Arts Center, 6603 3rd Ave. Gallery hours. Through Jan. 8.
Potpourri
Holiday Hoops Classic, UW-Parkside and Carthage College. High school boys games at Carthage Tarble Arena, 2001 Alford Rd.: Racine Horlick vs. Destiny 3 p.m.;’ Indian Trail vs. Waterford, 4:30 p.m.; St. Joseph vs. Burlington, 6 p.m.; Zion-Benton vs. Racine St. Catherine’s, 7:45 p.m. Games at UW-Parkside DeSimone Arena, 900 Wood Rd., High school girls: Burlington vs. Racine Horlick, 4 p.m.; Union Grove vs. Bradford, 6 p.m.; High school boys: Bradford vs. Union Grove, 7:45 p.m. (Tournament runs through Friday at both venues).
1LT Edna Gray: WWII Army Nurse, Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Pl.Edna Gray was 35 years old when she became the first Kenoshan to become a Red Cross volunteer to be an Army nurse in 1943. After a short familiarization training at Camp (now Fort) McCoy, she was sent to Europe. Supporting the Normandy landings and the campaign into Germany, The new exhibit at the Kenosha History Center is drawn from 1LT Gray’s scrapbook, researched and compiled by Royanne Moon. Through Dec. 30. History Center hours: Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Loyal to the Union, Ohio in the Civil War. Explore the people and events that made the Buckeye state unique and so important to the Union cause. Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. Daily hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. (Closed Dec. 31, Jan. 1-2).
Wild Ones – Native Plants and Natural Landscapes, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave. Photos by youth, adults, and professionals from around the country show Native species in their natural environments, from urban backyards to the American wilderness. (Closed Dec. 31, Jan. 1-2).
Family
Happy Feet, 2-3 p.m., Uptown Neighborhood Library, 2419 63rd St. Do you love penguins and dancing? Let’s do some choreographed dances, line dances, and have fun with penguins and ice. Registration required.
Holiday Gnome Hunt, daily during park hours 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Pringle Nature Center at Bristol Woods, 9800 160th Ave. Find all of the gnomes hiding on the trails by the end of December for a chance to win a free 2023 PNC family membership! Gnome Photo Booth will be available in the Nature Center Post a photo from your gnome hunt on Instagram or Facebook and tag Pringle, or email your photo to Pringle Nature Center by December 31st to be entered into the drawing. This program is free, self-guided, and suitable for all ages. The park is open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m.year-round. Hiking trails close at dusk. Pringle Nature Center will be closed Dec. 31-Jan. 2.
FRIDAY, Dec. 30
Music
Mitch Downey, 9 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave.
Cool Yule with Harmonix, 7 p.m., Wyndham Garden Hotel, 5125 6th Ave. This six-week residency runs through Dec. 30. This weekend’s shows are: 7 p.m. Thursday and 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Art
Anderson Arts Center Annual Winter Juried Exhibition, 1-4 p.m., Anderson Arts Center, 6603 3rd Ave. Gallery hours. Through Jan. 8.
PHOTO: GO SPORTS AMERICA
Potpourri
Holiday Hoops Classic, UW-Parkside and Carthage College. High school boys games at Carthage Tarble Arena, 2001 Alford Rd.: Union Grove vs. Racine Park, 3 p.m.; Milwaukee Academy of Science vs. Zion-Benton, 4:30 p.m.; Wilmot vs. Tremper, 6 p.m.; Racine Case vs. Westosha Central, 7:45 p.m. High school girls games at UW-Parkside DeSimone Arena, 900 Wood Rd.: Wilmot vs. Racine Case, 3 p.m.; Indian Trail vs. Racine Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.; Racine Prairie vs. Bradford, 6 p.m.; High school boys game: Greenfield vs. Milwaukee Destiny, 7:45 p.m.
1LT Edna Gray: WWII Army Nurse, Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Pl.Edna Gray was 35 years old when she became the first Kenoshan to become a Red Cross volunteer to be an Army nurse in 1943. After a short familiarization training at Camp (now Fort) McCoy, she was sent to Europe. Supporting the Normandy landings and the campaign into Germany, The new exhibit at the Kenosha History Center is drawn from 1LT Gray’s scrapbook, researched and compiled by Royanne Moon. Through Dec. 30. History Center hours: Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Loyal to the Union, Ohio in the Civil War. Explore the people and events that made the Buckeye state unique and so important to the Union cause. Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. Daily hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. (Closed Dec. 31, Jan. 1-2).
Wild Ones – Native Plants and Natural Landscapes, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave. Photos by youth, adults, and professionals from around the country show Native species in their natural environments, from urban backyards to the American wilderness. (Closed Dec. 31, Jan. 1-2).
Family
Camp Candy Land, 1-2 p.m., Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave. Have fun with candy science experiments, make pretend candy, and play our life size version of the classic board game.
Holiday Gnome Hunt, daily during park hours 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Pringle Nature Center at Bristol Woods, 9800 160th Ave. Find all of the gnomes hiding on the trails by the end of December for a chance to win a free 2023 PNC family membership! Gnome Photo Booth will be available in the Nature Center Post a photo from your gnome hunt on Instagram or Facebook and tag Pringle, or email your photo to Pringle Nature Center by December 31st to be entered into the drawing. This program is free, self-guided, and suitable for all ages. The park is open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m.year-round. Hiking trails close at dusk. Pringle Nature Center will be closed Dec. 31-Jan. 2.
SATURDAY, Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve
Music
Lucky Pickers (Bluegrass/acoustic duet) featuring Despina Pafralides and Caleb Peters, 7-10 p.m., Public Craft Brewing, 628 58th St.
Beaker and Ex-Uncle New Year’s Eve Show, 9 p.m.-midnight, Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave.
Yesterday’s Children (Oldies / Rock / Jazz), 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Filomena’s Restaurant/Cortese’s Banquet Hall, 1300 Sheridan Rd.
Party Obvious, 9 p.m., The Brat Stop, 12304 75th St., $10.
Potpourri
Apis New Year’s Eve Celebration, brunch 9 a.m.-2 p.m., dinner service 4-10 p.m., Party in the Lounge beginning at 10 p.m., Apis Hotel 614 56th St. The Party in the Lounge includes a live DJ, bubbles toast and balloon drop. Tickets $10 cover after 10 p.m. No advanced purchase necessary.
Stella NYE Celebration, 6 p.m.-1 a.m. The Stella Hotel & Ballroom, 5706 8th Ave. Includes cocktail reception featuring an open bar and passed hors d’oeuvres followed by a delicious three-course dinner and music by Silver Spoon Entertainment. As the clock strikes midnight, ring in the New Year with a champagne toast. Reservations required. Several ticket packages are available.
Sazzy B NYE Celebration, L’ aubre Du Changement, 5623 6th Ave. The menu will be inspired by classic concepts brought to new life with modern technique. Seatings 5 and 8 p.m. with option beverage pairings. Live music will follow the 8 p.m. seating and those guests will have priority seating as we open back up to the public when live music begins. Reservations.
NYE Bowling, 6:30-9:30 p.m. or 10 p.m.-1 a.m., Sheridan Lanes, 1120 80th St. $100 fee includes unlimited bowling, shoe rental, sheet pizza, two pitchers of soda, and party favors for up to five people. Call 262-654-0411 or stop in to reserve.
NYE Party, begins at 6 p.m., Wyndham Garden Hotel, 5125 6th Ave. Comedians John Diresta and Patti Vasquez, plus live music by Joey Belotti and the Change Machine, a DJ spinning dance hits into the night and hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. Tickets $49 plus tax and fees, choice of two times/shows available.
SUNDAY, Jan. 1, New Year’s Day
Potpourri
First Day Hike, 1-3 p.m., Richard Bong State Recreation Area, 26313 Burlington Rd., Kansasville. Kick off the new year with our annual First Day Hike! Trail TBD based on the weather and trail conditions. Vehicle admission sticker is required: $8 per day for vehicles with Wisconsin plates (seniors $3) / $11 for vehicles with out-of-state plates. Annual state park vehicle admission sticker is also available. State Park daily passes are also available through the Kenosha Public Library.
To submit an event for our “In the Loop” weekend listings, email Laura@Kenosha.com. Please include event details and contact information.
