Year in Review
Two years ago, we accepted the challenge of reviving the Civic Centre with a promise of transparency and a commitment to the people of Racine County. Today, we are proud to share that the Racine Civic Centres (Festival Hall, Memorial Hall, and Rotary Park) have officially transitioned into a safe, vibrant, and indispensable community hub.
This progress and success would not have happened without you. Your belief in our vision has turned a decade of dormancy into a historic resurgence.
2025: Our Success is Your Success
Because of your generous support, we didn’t just meet our goals—we shattered them:
- 100,000+ Visitors: Our gates welcomed a massive surge of local residents and regional tourists, bringing life back to Racine’s waterfront.
- 80% Revenue Growth: For the second consecutive year, we have surpassed our predecessor’s best historical performance (2017).
- $74,000 in Direct Community Subsidies: Your sponsorships, grants, and donations allowed us to directly lower costs for public events, ensuring they remain accessible to every Racine family.
- An Economic Catalyst: By attracting visitors from outside the area, we have driven significant foot traffic and revenue to our neighboring businesses, local hotels, and restaurants throughout the downtown corridor.
“The rebirth of Festival Park is a profound win for Racine’s quality of life. We’ve proven that this facility is a safe, stable, and vital center for our community, and we owe that stability to the individual sponsors who stood by us.” > — Patrick Flynn, General Manager
A Center for Civic Good: Quantified Impact
Your contributions allowed us to act as a vital engine for local philanthropy and public safety:
- Massive Resource Distribution: Through your support and partnerships with organizations like Amazon and the Racine County Veterans, we distributed over $350,000 in essential supplies (food, clothing, pet food and supplies, and cleaning materials) to HALO, the Hospitality Center, the Women’s Resource Center, local police departments, and numerous other non-profits.
- Powered by Volunteers: This effort was fueled by over 75 dedicated volunteers contributing an estimated 2,000 hours of service.
- An Impressive Safety Record: For two years running, we have reported zero emergency police calls for fights or disorderly conduct. This is a direct result of the robust security protocols and proactive management your funding makes possible.
Vision 2026: Doubling Our Impact Together
As we look toward 2026, we are not slowing down. Our goal is to welcome over 200,000 visitors and deepen our role as a year-round asset. Our 2026 plan includes:
- 24-Week Farmers Market: A major weekly market to boost local economic activity.
- Restoring Legacy Traditions: Bringing back “legacy” favorites alongside a new 3-day festival (Saints on the Lake).
- Full Weekend Programming: Outdoor public events every single weekend from May through October.
- Conventions and Conferences: A primary long-term goal is to maximize our capacity for conferences and conventions. While we saw growth in 2024 and 2025, there is immense untapped potential. As one of only 12 communities in the state capable of hosting large-scale conferences due to our size and versatility, we will be working closely with Visit Racine County to fill more hotels and attract regional professionals.
- The Veterans Support Fund: A dedicated initiative to ensure Memorial Hall remains a rent-free home for our Veterans, transforming a budgetary challenge into a shared Civic Investment.
Thank You for Investing in Racine
The financial future of Racine’s premier waterfront is more secure because of your partnership. We invite you to continue this journey with us as we roll out our 2026 initiatives.
Visit: www.FestivalPark.com