The “World’s
Largest One Day Outdoor Fish Fry”
is the title bestowed on Port Washington's
Fish Day, the annual celebration of the
city’s history as a commercial fishing
port and the continuing sports fishing industry.
The 43rd celebration promises
more of the excitement, entertainment and
family fun on the third Saturday in July.
But the day-long celebration
is more than just fun, games and food.
Fish Day has been the
financial lifeline for nine civic organizations
that run the fish and chips stands throughout
the day, just as they have since 1964. The
stands’ profits are turned back to
the community in a variety of ways, Some
are easy visible from the Fish Day grounds
along the Lake Michigan waterfront. Rotary
Park, the harbor walk that leads to the
grounds, Kiwanis Pavilion and the marina’s
fish cleaning stations are enjoyed by residents
and visitors.
Other contributions to
the community are not as easy to see, but
they are part of the quality of life. Scholarships,
recreational programs, assistance for people
who have met life-challenging problems,
Scout troops, and a variety of other efforts
are beneficiaries of the celebration.
One of the attractions
of the stands is that each of the nine organizations
serves the same menu that has been prepared
since the first Fish Day on August 21, 2023
-- deep-fried fish and chips, beer and soda.
Volunteers have become
experts at frying the fish and chips, dipping
into buckets of ice to provide the orders
for soda and tapping half-barrels of beer
to keep the customers satisfied at the stands
located along the lakefront from Upper Lake
Park to the marina.
Volunteers on the Fish
Day committee and board of directors work
year round to provide the entertainment
and related activities that make the 10
a.m. to 10 p.m. event a successful celebration.
There are no paid positions for this organization.
The goal is to provide a great day at family
friendly prices. The number of people attending
each year’s Fish Day shows the volunteers
are meeting that goal.
The parade has been part
of the past Fish Day celebrations and will
be a major attraction of this year as well.
The parade steps off on Wisconsin Street
at Walters Street and moves down St. Mary’s
Hill through the downtown area, turns at
Grand Avenue and ends at Milwaukee Street.
Music remains an integral
part of the program. Stages located along
the lakefront, including the main stage,
are the settings for music appealing to
all ages.
Additions have been made
to the day since its inception in 1965.
The Fish Day Run and Walk
that benefits Portal Industries attracts
hundred of runners every year. The 8 a.m.
starters gun officially opens the day.
At 10 a.m. the stands
open, the parade begins and the Fish Day
celebration is underway. The carnival rides
are in operation, the sports section offers
a variety of events, helicopter rides take
off and the vendors are ready for customers.
The Arts and Crafts Fair
and Custom Car and Hot Rod Show participants
are ready for visitors who want to see the
best work of local artisans and the unique
vehicles. Both events are held in Upper
Lake Park.
A carnival, ice cream
eating and smoked fish eating contests are
other traditional enticements for young
and old.
No celebration is complete
without fireworks. And just as the first
Fish Day, the fireworks display that completes
the day is spectacular. The sky over downtown
Port Washington is filled with color as
the pyrotechnic display is sent toward the
heavens from the harbor dock.
As the 10 p.m. fireworks
finale reverberates over the festival grounds,
members of the Fish Day committee will gather
to hold their review of the day and start
planning for the next celebration on the
third Saturday in July 2007. |