Milwaukee: City of Festivals

 Throughout the summer, Milwaukee showcases its rich cultural heritage with a series of ethnic and cultural celebrations, in addition to festivals focused on music, visual arts, hobbies, agricultural products, and different industries, to name a few. If you haven't visited Milwaukee yet this summer, there are still many events left on the calendar!

The Wisconsin State Fair is an eleven-day extravaganza filled with family fun, fantastic musical entertainment, and more wacky foods than you could imagine! This fair, which runs from July 31 to August 10, boasts thirty free entertainment stages and hosts more than one thousand animals, along with hilarious and fun activities such as the racing pigs. Hop on the sky glider and take in a bird's-eye view, stop by the SpinCity amusement area for games and rides, and don't leave without devouring a mouthwatering Wisconsin cream puff.

Celebrate African-American heritage and culture at African World Festival, August 2 and 3. Explore the cultural village, taste a variety of ethnic foods, shop at the marketplace, let the kids play in the Children's Village, and enjoy great entertainment.

Irish Fest, the world's largest Irish cultural festival, brings the Emerald Isle to Milwaukee's lakefront, August 14 to 17. Cultural exhibits, displays, theater, poetry readings, and craft demonstrations bring alive the spirit of Old Ireland's folklore and charm, while contests, raffles, and sporting events add to the fun. Listen to traditional Irish music, admire the Irish dancers jigging to heart-pounding beats, or enjoy the roaming performers dressed in traditional costumes.

Spice things up at Mexican Fiesta, August 22 to 24, at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park! This authentic south-of-the-border experience features mouth-watering food, rousing mariachi bands, foot-stomping rhythms, and an elaborate swirl of traditional dancers. 

Indian Summer Festival, the largest Native American festival of its kind in the country, offers a fun and entertaining way to experience the diversity of traditional and contemporary American Indian culture. Held September 5 to 7, the festival celebrates the rich Native American heritage with authentic tribal villages, storytellers, traditional handcrafts, dance troupes, a competition Pow Wow, fireworks, Aztec dancers, and lacrosse.

Later in the year, the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival transforms downtown Milwaukee into a sparkling winter wonderland, from November 20 to December 28, with thousands of twinkling lights throughout the city. 

For more information about Milwaukee's festivals, visit www.visitmilwaukee.org.

Source: Visit Milwaukee 

Photo courtesy of summerfest.com