Newaukee’s Urban Island Beach Party, returning for a fifth year this August, will raise awareness and funds for the Friends of Lakeshore State Park while also ringing in the end of the summer season.
The free beach party, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1, at Lakeshore State Park, will offer patrons a variety of food and social activities along Milwaukee’s lakefront.
Event proceeds will back the launch of a campaign by the Friends of Lakeshore State Park to construct a new Visitor and Education Center on park grounds. The center will act as a “gateway” to the Wisconsin State Park system, according to a press release issued by Newaukee.
The new center will create a venue for ongoing educational and community activities and will also establish new standards for sustainability, according to Bob Gosse, president of the Friends of Lakeshore State Park.
“The building itself will become a teaching tool,” Gosse said. “Key project goals include net positive energy and water use, onsite energy generation, engineered wetland and onsite rainwater harvesting, and locally-sourced construction materials.”
“With the added focus of the new building campaign this year, our ability to draw Milwaukee’s attention of the only urban state park is more critical than ever,” said Newaukee president Angela Damiani.
During the beach party, which will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., attendees will be able to take part in sunset yoga led by omTown Yogis, enjoy a cabana beach lounge provided by Kohl’s Careers, experience live music and art, and test out water sports through lessons offered by Milwaukee Kayak Company. Food trucks provided by Shepherd Express Street Eats will also be available onsite for attendees.
In preparation for the event, Newaukee will hide hundreds of pink flamingos throughout Milwaukee at the end of July for a special “Find A Flamingo Contest.” The contest, held alongside Downtown Employee Appreciation Week July 27-31, will give area residents a chance to win a free Leinenkugel beer at the beach party. Residents who find a flamingo and bring it to the beach party will be rewarded with a beer.
Event sponsors of this year’s beach party are: Associated Bank, Badger Meter, Kohl’s Careers, Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Majic Productions, Shepherd Express, 97.3 Radio Now and 88Nine Radio Milwaukee.
For more information on the party festivities, visit www.urbanislandparty.com.
