Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1194291
B M & T ••• September/October 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 15 All work and no play? That's not how meetings are done in Milwaukee. In fact, the City of Festivals has a bash nearly every week, and everyone's invited! A WALK IN THE FESTIVAL PARK During the summer months, many Milwaukee festivals take place at Henry Maier Festival Park. Situated along Milwaukee's lakefront, the grounds are one of the coun- try's coolest permanent festival parks with a dozen phe- nomenal outdoor stages, a 23,000-seat amphitheater, a thriving marketplace, and 75 acres of beautifully land- scaped grounds and walkways. This makes the perfect venue for the largest outdoor music festival in the world, Summerfest. Over 11 days in June and July, music-lovers nationwide rock out to over 800 bands playing the best in alternative, rock, rap, coun- try, R&B, pop, and more. Milwaukee's diversity is on display at Maier Festival Park throughout the summer. The season begins with a celebration of LGBTQ culture and community at PrideFest. The following weekend, guests can polka dance at Polish Fest then dine on pierogies. Ride a gondola on Lake Michigan at Festa Italiana while watching fireworks overhead. Go back to the city's roots at German Fest with beer, food, music, and favorites like the Timbersports Championships and the Dachshund Derby. A newcomer to the festival grounds is Black Arts Fest MKE honoring the splendor of African and African- American culture. Discover the traditions of the United States' southern neighbors and part of the city's Latino community at Mexican Fiesta. Take part in the world's largest Celtic music and culture celebration at Irish Fest. Then experience Milwaukee's Native American heritage at Indian Summer. Planners who schedule events around these Milwaukee festivals can enjoy VIP decks available at many of the stages, classic Milwaukee food onsite, and unique shopping at outdoor marketplaces. Plus, Henry Maier Festival Park is available for a party even when a festival is not happening that week. Groups can rent all or part of the space for their event. COME TOGETHER The festival park is not the only place for Milwaukee parties. City gatherings and street festivals are great des- Pride Festival THERE'S NO PARTY LIKE A MILWAUKEE PARTY HAVE A DIVERSE MEETING OR EVENT IN THE CITY OF FESTIVALS