Lakefront Festival of the Arts 06 Jun 2013
Milwaukee's Summer Parade Around the World
Visit Milwaukee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Jeannine Sherman
VISIT Milwaukee
800.231.0903 or 414.287.6230
jsherman@milwaukee.org

Milwaukee's Summer Parade Around the World
Ethnic Festivals Take Visitors to Italy, Germany, Ireland, Mexico and More

MILWAUKEE – June 5, 2013 – Milwaukee lives up to its “City of Festivals” nickname when music, food and traditions from around the world draw hundreds of thousands to the Henry W. Maier Festival Park along Lake Michigan. Nearly every weekend brings a new cultural experience filled with art, history and entertainment for all ages to enjoy. 

The festival season kicks off with PrideFest (www.pridefest.com), the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender pride festival in Wisconsin. Join the festivities June 7-9, 2013 with food, entertainment and shopping in the marketplace. The Indigo Girls take the stage on June 8, and don't miss the Bad Romance Show, a live concert theatrical production to the music of Lady GaGa, in the PrideFest Dance Pavilion.

The parade of world cultures begins with one of America's largest Polish-themed festivals, Polish Fest (www.polishfest.org), June 14-16, 2013. See historic exhibits, folk art demonstrations and old-world crafts. Enjoy enchanting legends coming to life, traditional dance troupes swirling and twirling, and scrumptious dishes served in heaping portions to satisfy your appetite. Stop by the 15th Annual Chopin Youth Piano Competition, a family favorite for years.

The world's largest music festival, Summerfest (www.summerfest.com), is an 11-day event taking place this year June 26-June 30 and July 2-7, 2013 (closed on July 1). Summerfest features national headliners to upcoming indie artists on 10 ground stages and a 23,000 seat amphitheater. Smorgasbords of the area's finest restaurants serve mouth-watering fare and entertainment abounds with four shopping marketplaces, a children's play area, daily sports demonstrations from pro athletes and more.  Headliners this year include Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Tim McGraw, John Mayer and FUN.

Romance, nostalgia, and rich Italian delicacies fill the air at Festa Italiana (www.festaitaliana.com), America's premier Italian cultural event. From July 19-21, 2013, enjoy the pomp and circumstance of the Sicilian brass marching band, browse the cultural exhibits or be a part of the colorful religious procession following Sunday mass. Every night offers explosive fun with a dazzling Italian-style fireworks show. See a replica of an ancient Roman home, take a gondola ride, play bocce ball and more.

Grab a stein, put on your finest lederhosen and cool off with your favorite brew at North America's largest annually held German festival, German Fest (www.germanfest.com). Indulge in unforgettable German cuisine, marvel as craftsmen demonstrate old world artistry, enjoy a colorful brass band or stroll through the Marktplatz for unique German gifts. You especially won't want to miss the Dachshund Derby, the genealogy area or the Glockenspiel. Join in July 25-28, 2013 for a wunderbar experience. 

Celebrate African-American heritage and culture at African World Festival (www.awfmke.com/) August 3-4, 2013. 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 (www.irishfest.com), the world's largest Irish cultural festival, brings the Emerald Isle to Milwaukee's lakefront August 15-18, 2013. Cultural exhibits, displays, theater, poetry readings and demonstrations bring alive the spirit of Old Ireland's folklore and charm, while contests, raffles and sporting events add to the fun. Celebrate Irish music and dance on more than a dozen stages or enjoy the roaming performers dressed in traditional costumes walking the festival grounds. Stop at one of the two marketplaces to take a piece of Ireland home with you.

Spice things up at Mexican Fiesta (www.mexicanfiesta.org) August 23-25, 2013! A south-of-the-border experience featuring mouth-watering food, rousing mariachi bands, foot stomping rhythms, and an elaborate swirl of traditional dancers. Walk through the cultural pavilion and learn about the history and traditions of Mexican and Latin cultures from ancient civilizations to the present.

The Indian Summer Festival (www.indiansummer.org) offers a fun and entertaining way to experience the diversity of both traditional and contemporary American Indian culture. Held September 6-8, 2013, the festival celebrates the rich American Indian heritage with authentic tribal villages, storytellers, traditional handcrafts, dance troupes and lacrosse. Other highlights include a competition Pow Wow, fireworks, Aztec dancers, canoe rides, a fashion show full of beautiful Native American designs, food and an Education Day on Friday.

Other festivals, concerts and events taking place around the city in different locations include:

VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, and convention and meeting planners, both nationally and internationally. VISIT Milwaukee has approximately 600 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Total business sales related to tourism amounted to $4.25 billion in Greater Milwaukee in 2012and supported more than 48,000 local jobs. The City of Wauwatosa, Delta Air Lines, Inc., Potawatomi Bingo Casino and the Wisconsin Center District are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs.  For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit www.visitmilwaukee.org.

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