Kenosha County will host its second annual Veterans Appreciation Summer Picnic on Friday, May 31, at noon at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. The event is open to local veterans and their families, with free admission and lunch provided by MISSION BBQ in Kenosha. Dousman Transport Co. will offer complimentary roundtrip transportation from Festival Foods at 3207 80th St., as space allows.
“I look forward to celebrating the start of summer with our community’s veterans at our county park that’s dedicated in their honor,” said County Executive Samantha Kerkman. “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 visit a new shelter honoring Army veterans, completed last year as part of an ongoing project to dedicate facilities to all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Wilmot Union High School band students are scheduled to perform, and Snap-on Incorporated representatives will be recognized for their donation supporting park development.
The 335-acre Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park features amenities such as Freedom Lake, a 39-acre body of water available for nonmotorized activities, and over five miles of walking trails.
“The Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park is a beautiful place for veterans and others to reflect and enjoy the landscape,” said Jennifer Blasi, Director of Kenosha County Veterans Services. “And this picnic is a great opportunity to see it and to enjoy the company of fellow veterans.”
Those needing transportation are asked to contact the Kenosha County Veterans Service Office by phone or email. Guests providing their own transportation do not need to register.
More information about veteran services in Kenosha County can be found at www.kenoshacounty.org/368/Veterans, while details about the park are available at www.kenoshacounty.org/1658/Kenosha-County-Veterans-Memorial-Park.
During the 2023-24 school year in Kenosha County, Indian Trail High School and Academy had the highest enrollment among local schools with 2,001 students; Tremper High School followed with 1,458 students; Bradford High School had 1,448 students (https://dpi.wi.gov/). In terms of student demographics that year, white students made up just over half (55.6%) of those enrolled—down slightly from 56.4% in the previous year—while Hispanic students represented about one-quarter (25.7%), Black students accounted for 10.4%, and American Indian students were among the least represented groups at just 0.2% (https://dpi.wi.gov/).
