Newaukee’s Night Market events will return to West Wisconsin Avenue this summer bigger and better, the organization says, with new features and collaborations to spur broader downtown synergy.
Newaukee introduced the monthly open-air markets last year in a city-owned parking lot along West Wisconsin Avenue between 2nd and 4th Streets. The markets, catering to all demographics, intended to activate downtown with art and craft vendors, technology and art installations, food trucks, live art, performances, a beer garden, and nonprofit booths.
This summer, Newaukee’s Night Market events will coincide with Westown’s River Rhythms events and Westown’s Farmers’ Market.
Westown’s River Rhythms runs each Wednesday from June 10 to Aug. 26 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in Pere Marquette Park, and Westown’s Farmers’ Market takes places Wednesdays from June 3 to Oct. 28. The markets are held from 10 a.m. to 3 pm. in Zeidler Union Square.
The Night Markets will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. on four Wednesdays throughout the summer: June 17, July 22, Aug. 19 and Sept. 16.
The activities in each venue will be connected though temporary chalk art displays, musical performances, paper lantern light installation and guided walking tours.
“Westown has always been the place to be on Wednesdays during the summer,” Angela Damiani, president of Newaukee, said in a press release. “For 20 years, the Westown Association has hosted a delightful farmer’s market and one of Milwaukee’s famous free concert series. These programs have established a strong and vibrant culture; we hope that the monthly Night Market expands upon the public’s positive experience in Westown.”
Additionally, Creative Alliance Milwaukee has announced plans to enliven a portion of the same parking lot as it works to figure out the best long-term use for the space.
The new activation will be daily and will involve “lighter, quicker, cheaper” infrastructure and programming over the next two to five years. CAM is working to frame the lot as a public square and hotspot for creative activities, said Maggie Kuhn Jacobus, CAM president and chief executive officer.
