Growing Community for 40 Years

Since its originations over 100 years ago as a fishing village where the whitefish were harvested off its shores, Whitefish Bay has been appreciated for its lakefront position, open spaces, and picturesque qualities.  The community of Whitefish Bay continues to benefit from beautiful vistas and green spaces combined with the charm of small town “walkability” - assets that attract new residents, while beckoning grown children to return to their hometown to raise their own families. 

Founded with the goal of enhancing life in our village, the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation will soon be celebrating its fortieth year in Whitefish Bay.  Forty years later, the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation continues to provide community building events, welcoming young and old, such as the:

• Great Pumpkin Festival each October in Old Schoolhouse Park
• 4^th of July parade on Silver Spring and Lake Drive
• 4^th of July festivities in Klode Park
• Sounds of Summer headline concert each August on Silver Spring
• Ice Cream Socials twice a year in Old Schoolhouse Park
• Green Day in the Bay in Cahill Park
   

These fun and celebratory events are free to residents and others who want to experience the sense of community that is provided.  Funding comes from the generosity of event sponsors and the kindness of local residents who support the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation with their financial donations and commitment of volunteer time.  The Village of Whitefish Bay manager, staff, Department of Public Works, and Village of Whitefish Bay Board of Trustees are to be recognized as well for their role in fostering these festive occasions.

Perhaps a lesser known purpose of the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation is its role in awarding grants to students and local organizations also committed to building community.  A few programs that have benefitted from the organized support of the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation over the years include the:

• running path at Klode Park (one of the first projects of the Whitefish Bay Civic Improvement Foundation, as it was called then before the word “Improvement” was removed)
• Holiday Stroll on Silver Spring
• Whitefish Bay High School pool renovation
• Veterans Memorial at Armory Park
• improvements to the field house at Cahill Park, fountain at Old Schoolhouse Park, and clock tower on Silver Spring
• college scholarships awarded to civic-minded students
• visits to the homebound by Shoreline Interfaith
   

So if you’ve ever carved a pumpkin at the Great Pumpkin Festival, lined the parade route on the 4^th of July, enjoyed music under the stars at Sounds of Summer, helped beautify your neighborhood as part of Green Day in the Bay, or supported the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation with a donation of your time or financial resources, then you’ve taken an active role in growing community in Whitefish Bay. 

THANK YOU for all you do to help bring us together in Whitefish Bay, and making it a great place to call home.  We look forward to another 40 years of growing community with you!