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Friends scale back beer gardens; American Legion to co-lead town's July 4 celebration
Summary
Friends of Port Washington Parks & Recreation will run one beer garden this year to limit losses and will collaborate with the American Legion on an all-day July 4 event at Veterans Park; Wendy Brown announced fundraising plans and a pending vacancy in the Friends' presidency.
Wendy Brown, vice president of Friends of Port Washington Parks and Recreation, told the Park & Recreation Board that the Friends group will run a single beer garden this summer rather than the multi-date series it has overseen in past years. Brown said the group is trying to make up an operating shortfall (she described the recent loss as "nearly $3,000") and that insurance, food costs and volunteer capacity made the previous model unsustainable for Friends alone.
Brown said that, after discussions with committee members and the American Legion, the groups will combine efforts for an all-day July 4 celebration at Veterans Park. "The Legion is gonna take on things like the parade. They are going to do free food in the park... Their piece of this is all free," Brown said, describing free food, family entertainment, a bike parade and judging contests; the Friends portion will include a single beer garden later in the day and live music by Jesse Marie and the Rippers.
Brown also said Friends are exploring other fundraising options so the nonprofit can focus on park stewardship and programming; among ideas is a Labor Day weekend gala and renewed brick sales for the Pillar of Honor. She said Friends will build a separate website for their activities and will seek volunteers and partners (Rotary, Lions and others) to share event responsibilities. Brown added that Justin Myers has indicated he intends to step down as Friends' president in March; the group will seek a replacement, and Myers has said he will remain if no successor is found.
Board members thanked Friends for their work, asked clarifying questions about how many beer gardens other groups (Rotary, Lions) might run at Upper Lake Park, and noted the importance of preserving the event for tourism and community engagement.
The Friends' plans as described will leave most traditional Upper Lake Park beer garden dates to be handled as standard rentals by the city or by other local service groups; the Lions and Rotary were reported to be exploring at least a few events of their own.
