Kenosha Parks Commission approves permits for summer festivals, softball tournament and community cookout

The Kenosha Board of Parks Commission on March 9 approved a slate of park-use permits for summer events, including a Rotary Club softball tournament with extended evening hours, an Easter egg hunt, the Agape Love Christian Ministries Father’s Day cookout and the Kenosha Taco Fest at Kennedy Park.

The commission chair opened the meeting, the clerk took roll and the body announced a quorum before moving through agenda items. The Feb. 23, 2026 minutes were approved by voice vote.

On a public hearing for a request by the Rotary Club of Kenosha, the organizer described the event as a long-running tournament — “that was 54th year for the tournament” — and asked to run games July 9–12, with set-up July 9 and teardown July 14, extended park hours to 11 p.m., food vendors, amplified sound and temporary structures. Commissioner Pam Michalski asked whether games would be played under lights between 10 and 11 p.m.; the organizer confirmed they were requesting play through 11 p.m. The commission moved and approved the permit.

A request from the Jaffa Masonic Lodge to hold an Easter egg hunt at Lincoln Park on April 4 drew no public opposition. A commissioner asked whether the eggs would be real or candy-filled plastic; the clerk said the event contact was not present to confirm. The permit was approved.

Monroe Mitchell, who identified himself and gave a Kenosha address while speaking for Agape Love Christian Ministries, described plans for a Father’s Day community cookout at Hobbs Park on June 21 that will include a worship service, complimentary food and family activities. Mitchell said the event has run for about "12 to 13" years excluding the COVID period and noted the group’s rain date is the following week but is sometimes unusable because attendees may not be available. “We do have it in case we can make it happen,” Mitchell said. He also mentioned plans to discuss a small classic car show and a potential street closure with public works; commissioners approved the permit with the usual conditions for parks events.

For the Kenosha Taco Fest, an applicant the clerk identified as Savannah confirmed the festival’s fourth year at Kennedy Park and answered questions about parking and logistics for the June 26 event (teardown June 27). The application asked to close Kennedy Drive from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and use the park’s grass area for parking; staff said parking would be managed on the south side. The commission approved the permit.

All agenda items with formal motions were approved by voice vote at the meeting. Where applicants raised logistics — such as rain dates, nighttime lighting and parking — commissioners requested clarifications but did not withhold approval. The meeting concluded after the commission recorded the votes and the chair cast the final affirmative vote.