Kenosha County will host its second annual Veterans Appreciation Summer Picnic on Friday, May 31, at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. The event, which begins at noon, is open to local veterans and their families. Admission is free, and lunch will be provided by MISSION BBQ in Kenosha.
Free roundtrip transportation to the park will be available from Festival Foods at 3207 80th St., offered by Dousman Transport Co. as space allows.
County Executive Samantha Kerkman said, “I look forward to celebrating the start of summer with our community’s veterans at our county park that’s dedicated in their honor. I appreciate the support of the community partners that came together again to make this possible.”
The picnic will take place in the Veterans Honor Plaza within the park, which is located west of Highway KD and north of Highway F in Randall and Wheatland. The plaza can be accessed via Karow Court off Highway F (Bassett Road), just west of Highway KD (352nd Avenue).
Attendees will have a chance to see a new shelter honoring Army veterans that was completed last year. This facility is part of a series planned for all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Students from Wilmot Union High School band are scheduled to perform during the event. Snap-on Incorporated representatives will also attend to receive recognition for their contribution toward developing the park.
The 335-acre Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park features amenities such as Freedom Lake—a 39-acre body of water open for nonmotorized activities—and more than five miles of walking trails.
Kenosha County Veterans Services Director Jennifer Blasi stated, “The Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park is a beautiful place for veterans and others to reflect and enjoy the landscape. And this picnic is a great opportunity to see it and to enjoy the company of fellow veterans.”
Transportation arrangements can be made by contacting the Kenosha County Veterans Service Office at 262-605-6690 or via email at [email protected]. Registration is not required for those providing their own transportation.
For more information about services for veterans in Kenosha County, visit www.kenoshacounty.org/368/Veterans or learn more about the park at www.kenoshacounty.org/1658/Kenosha-County-Veterans-Memorial-Park.
Recent data show that during the 2023-24 school year, Indian Trail High School and Academy had the highest enrollment among Kenosha County schools with 2,001 students, followed by Tremper High School with 1,458 students and Bradford High School with 1,448 students (https://dpi.wi.gov/). The student population in Kenosha County schools consisted mainly of white students at approximately 55.6%, while Hispanic students accounted for around one-quarter and Black students made up just over ten percent (https://dpi.wi.gov/). American Indian students were among the least represented ethnic groups during this period (https://dpi.wi.gov/).
