MILWAUKEE— Milwaukee’s lakefront is the place to be this weekend, as two of the city’s signature summer events bring a mix of tradition, creativity and community right to the water’s edge.
Polish Fest and the Lakefront Festival of Art are running side by side through Sunday, June 15, turning the shoreline into a celebration of both heritage and expression.
Polish Fest: A Cultural Celebration with Deep Roots
Down at Henry Maier Festival Park, the smell of Polish sausage and the sound of polka music are already filling the air as Polish Fest opens its gates. Billed as the largest Polish festival in the country, it features everything from pierogi and paczki to traditional dancers and folk art.
Visitors can catch live music on multiple stages, explore cultural exhibits, and even get a food and cooking demonstration from Chef Joe Parajecki.
“We’re looking at traditions, we’re looking at how that works and really triggers memories, memories trigger emotions,” said Chef Parajecki. “That’s kind of what I’m going for here. So we’re showing grandma’s recipes for like borscht potato pancakes, bigos- which is a sauerkraut and sausage stew,
breaded pork cutlets. So those are all things that would, would be at the table and you know, just kind of triggering some memories here.”
Executive Director of Polish Fest, Jeff Kuderski, tells WTMJ all the special additions they have at the festival this year. “We got our official sponsors, Sobieski Vodka, Tyskie Beer that we import from Poland. We have BlackBerry Brandy, we have all sorts of Polish bakery, from Kruschiki to strudels to cheesecakes. And then all our merchandise, T shirts, our official merchandise of Polish Fest.”
Lakefront Festival of Art: A Festival on Milwaukee Art Museum’s Front Lawn
Just up the path at the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Lakefront Festival of Art transforms the museum grounds into an open-air art market. Roughly 145 artists from across the country are showcasing work ranging from ceramics and sculpture to mixed media and fine jewelry.
The festival features over 30 new artists this year, with live demonstrations, interactive booths, and family art zones making it more than just a regular display experience. Lindsay Wurz, communication manager of the Art Museum, tells WTMJ the most rewarding part about being apart of this festival.
“I think it’s just being able to talk to people while I’m here and learning about what they’re excited about, So many people are involved with Lakefront Festival of Art, whether they’re just visiting or attending the festival or they’re part of the, organizing committee, so many people have made this a tradition.”
Alma Kneisel ,the support manager of support groups and manager of LFOA at the museum, shares her thoughts on the impact this festival makes throughout the community.
“People coming here every year for Father’s Day growing up and so they, the community just really has deep connections to this festival. So it’s just been an honor to learn all of the storied history that goes into it. And be a part of making it to 60 years.”
Poster artist Emma Daisy says the festival is about connecting with people through the work. Human connection and identity are the biggest points to her experience at this festival.
“I think as individual artists, it’s really important for us to be part of a bigger community, be part of something that’s bigger than ourselves. So I love that aspect. You know, being able to see and be inspired by all the other work that’s here. The caliber of the art is super high at this particular festival. And so it’s just really, it’s an awesome way to celebrate artist’s art and also raise funds for the museum.”
The proximity of the two festivals makes it easier for visitors to walk between them- grabbing a kielbasa on one end, then browsing paintings on the other. Together, they represent the spirt of Milwaukee.
Both festivals run through Sunday, with food vendors, live performances, and special programming throughout the weekend.
