Tall Ships Festival Info

There will be changes to traffic patterns beginning Wednesday, due to the heavy traffic expected for special events this weekend at the lakefront – including the Kenosha Tall Ships Festival at the harbor and Pike River Rendezvous at Simmons Island Park. Seven ships will arrive at the harbor on Thursday, Aug. 1, with a parade of sail, opening ceremonies and Peanut Butter and Jam concert taking place. The maritime festival with ship tours, entertainment and kids activities will be open Aug. 2-4. Pike River Rendezvous is open to the public on Friday, Aug. 2, with programming and activities taking place Aug. 3-4. 

HarborPark traffic schedule: Wednesday July 31: Beginning at 1 p.m. traffic will be directed one way eastbound on 56th Street, beginning at Third Ave., proceeding counter-clockwise around Calabria Way, and westbound only on 54th Street from Calabria Way to Sixth Ave. Temporary no parking signs will be posted at areas along the route to facilitate the one way traffic flow. 

Thursday, Aug. 1: Traffic will continue to be directed one way in the same pattern as Wednesday. Sixth Avenue will be closed starting at 3 p.m. between 52nd Street and 54th Street during the Opening Ceremonies for the Tall Ships Festival during the evening Peanut Butter & Jam Concert. This section of Sixth Avenue is regularly closed on Thursday afternoons and evenings during the Peanut Butter & Jam Concerts. Sixth Avenue will re-open following the concert by 10 p.m. 

Friday, Aug. 2-Sun. Aug. 4: One-way traffic pattern continues until 10 p.m. Sunday. There will be free shuttle services operated by Kenosha Transit during the Tall Ships Festival, Aug. 2-4. The shuttle will provide rides between the festival grounds and the Sail Away Village near the Kenosha Yacht Club. The shuttle route goes between the Kenosha Yacht Club and the west entrance gate. Shuttle stops are located near 54th Street and Sixth Avenue (east side of Sixth 

Avenue); at 50th Street and Seventh Avenue (east side of Seventh Avenue), and at the Sail Away Village near the Kenosha Yacht Club. 

Tall Ships 2019 – Downtown Parking Areas

Event shuttles Those holding sail-away tickets are encouraged to park east of the Dream Playground at Petzke Park (2820 14th Ave) in the fenced Carthage College lot. A free shuttle will drop off riders at the Sail Away Village near the Kenosha Yacht Club (5130 Fourth Ave.). Additional festival ground parking is available at Indian Trail High School (6800 60th St.). A free shuttle will pick up visitors every 15 minutes and take them to the west entrance gate of the festival at Sixth Avenue and 54th Street. 

Simmons Island Traffic Plan 

Wednesday, July 31- Thursday, Aug. 1: Set up for the Pike River Rendezvous begins. Access to the beach at Simmons Island is limited to only non-motorized traffic (such as walking or bicycling through the park). The park road also is closed at the north entrance to the park via Kennedy Drive. Fourth Avenue remains open, including vehicle access to the Kenosha Yacht Club and Kenosha History Center parking areas. 

Friday, Aug. 2: There will be no vehicle access or parking on Simmons Island. Barricades will be staffed and vehicle access will be restricted. People may visit the Pike River Rendezvous, but there is no programming or horse and carriage rides. People with sail away tickets may access the Sail Away village by foot – or by taking a shuttle. 

Saturday, Aug. 3 -Sunday, Aug. 4: There will be no vehicle access or parking on Simmons Island for the public. Pike River Rendezvous is open with programming. People may access the Rendezvous area by foot; or by one of the shuttles available. A limited amount of parking is available at Kennedy Park, accessed at 44th Street east of Fifth Ave. Parking also is available as posted on residential streets near the park. A free horse and carriage shuttle will operate from Kennedy Park to the festival entrance at Simmons Island. 

Only residents of Fourth Avenue, the Coast Guard, and those with business at the Kenosha Water Utility and Kenosha Yacht Club will be allowed to drive vehicles on the island.