Summer Saturday in Port

Today a beautiful late-summer Saturday morning drew me downtown in my adopted home town of Port Washington, Wisconsin. Various events were underway, including a “Land Regatta” run and the Farmer’s Market. Tourists were taking in the scene everywhere you looked. Bikers galore. And lots of boats were leaving or returning to the marina. At 11:00, the Beer Garden opened in Upper Lake Park.

A few times a year, I head out with my camera to capture the beauty and activity of this wonderful city. Here’s what showed up in my viewfinder today.

Harbor and Marina

Port Washington was founded as a fishing village at the mouth of Sauk Creek in 1835. Commercial fishing was done until the 1990s, when the last fishing boat was sunk in a maritime disaster out on Lake Michigan. In 1982, Port Washington built a large marina, which caters to power and sailboats. A large fleet of salmon charter boats also operates here. Tall ships and Coast Guard vessels visit several times a year. And the waterfront draws walkers, bikers and photographers in all seasons.

USGS Sturgeon

The USGS Sturgeon is a scientific research ship belonging to the U.S. Geological Survey, an arm of the Department of the Interior. This weekend, the ship was moored in Port Washington’s harbor, offering an interesting attraction for visitors.

Downtown Port Washington

Port Washington is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, pubs, and services. Throughout the tourist season, summer weekends are busy with those partaking of everything Port has to offer. On Saturday mornings, a popular farmer’s market offers local produce and craft items to entice shoppers. Our Historic District features the largest collection of pre-Civil War buildings in Wisconsin.

Port Washington Beer Garden

Located in Upper Lake Park, the Port Washington Beer Garden has become a popular attraction for residents and visitors alike in recent years. Each weekend, a different civic group operates the beer garden as a fund raiser for their organization. This year, a new stage opened, providing a great facility for entertainers.