Racine & Me: Downtown Racine - A Butterfly Wonderland

By: Alex Menke

Posted: Jun 23, 2024 8:30 AM CST

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Summer has finally arrived, and Downtown Racine is offering multiple fun events to keep everyone entertained all season long. Kelly Kruse, the Executive Director of the Downtown Racine Corporation, joined us with details about everything taking place.

First up is a free, live concert series celebrating music, community, and good times happening every Friday, from June 28th to Aug. 23rd, on the iconic Monument Square! Music on the Monument takes place from 4:30pm - 7:00pm and will feature numerous local bands.

The lineup for 2024 is:

June 28 – Stoned Blues Band
July 12 – Mathew Haeffel
July 19 – The Incorruptibles
July 26 – From Any Angle
August 9 – Shameless Place
August 16 – Fender Bender
August 23 – Stone Theory

For more information, visit here.

However, the music and fun doesn't stop after Friday as a second free, live concert series takes place every Saturday on Monument Square! From June 29th to August 24th, local bands will take the stage from 4:30 p.m.to 7 p.m. as part of Saturday Sounds on the Square.

The 2024 lineup includes:

June 29 – Fashion Show – DJ
July 6 – Lee Mayfield/Family Affair Band
July 13 – Mean Jake
July 20 – Rust Belt
July 27 – Indigo Canyon
August 3 – Route 66 Belle City Band
August 10 – Squad 51
August 17 – Rocky Rose
August 24 – House Party

For more information, visit here.

Next, the continuation of an award-winning event series, First Fridays! A dining and shopping extravaganza is taking place on July 5th from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The theme for the evening is Blues, Brews, and BBQ with musical guests The Stephen Hull Experience and Music Performers Showcase set to perform on Monument Square from 5:30pm to 8:00pm and on Crosswalk Park from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, respectively. Be sure to check out the First Fridays event page for more details.

Next up, a stylish event celebrating community and collaboration. The Fashion Show on the Square takes place at Monument Square on June 29th from 4:30pm - 7:00pm. The event features more than just fashion as over 10 local businesses come together to showcase an array of offerings, such as: apparel, jewelry, bars, catering services, and nail salon services. Models of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds will be featured--showcasing the inclusive spirit of Racine. Plus, a DJ will be performing on-site to keep the energy high throughout the night. For more information, visit here.

Lastly, Downtown Racine is practically fluttering this season after the Downtown Racine Corporation unveiled its 23rd annual public art project. There are 26 unique butterfly wing sculptures offering an immersive and interactive art experience throughout the area. The wings come from a collaboration between the DRC and Green Metal Works, while the bases come from a partnership with Professor Kyle Worzala and his welding students from Gateway Technical College. The displays will be available to view through mid-September.

Plus, visitors of all ages can partake in an accessible scavenger hunt where they are asked to answer questions about each butterfly exhibit. The reward for completing and submitting the hunt is a $5 downtown gift card redeemable at over 100 local area businesses. Scavenger hunt forms can be found at each butterfly display, the DRC office (425 Main St.), or at racinedowntown.com.

For a list of all 26 butterflies and the talented artists who created them, visit here.