Hosted on the serene shores of Kenosha, WI, the HarborPark Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Festival is a musical bonanza that’s not to be missed. Presented by The Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Fund, this festival brings together music, food, and fun, all set against the backdrop of a stunning lake. This festival first started in 2005.
In 2023, the festival introduced the Kenosha Dog Challenge. The audience was treated to a culinary showdown between Kenosha’s Bravest and Kenosha’s Finest at the Cooking Studio. The challenge was to create the most original hot dog or sausage dish that would tantalize Kenosha’s taste buds.
Over the years, the festival has welcomed a plethora of national and regional jazz artists such as Ramsey Lewis, Nick Colionne, Len Rainey, and the Midnight Players, among others.
The festival is more than a gathering of music lovers. It’s a fundraiser for the CEO Mentoring Program, spearheaded by the Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Fund. The funds raised help support academic achievement, college readiness, career success, and service to others, particularly for first-generation students.