MILWAUKEE – To celebrate the many reasons why the Near West Side is a great place to live, work, and play, Near West Side Partners is hosting its inaugural Near West Side Week. Beginning on Sunday, Sept. 12 and running through Saturday, Sept. 18, Near West Side Week will include daily activities, opportunities to visit with neighbors and friends, and prizes for participants.
A complete line-up of events and activities to engage in during Near West Side Week is as follows:
Sunday, Sept.12:
- Cooking Demo at the Vliet Street Oasis Market, 3-5 p.m.
Vliet Street Oasis Market, 3743 W Vliet Street, Milwaukee
NWSP Executive Director Keith Stanley and Caroline Carter will demonstrate how to prepare fresh, seasonal vegetables in healthy and delicious ways. Following the demonstration, poet Naomi Nashell will perform her most recent work.
Monday, Sept.13:
- Near West Side Week Kick Off Celebration, 12-1 p.m.
The New State Music Park, 2612 W State Street, Milwaukee
Celebrate the beginning of Near West Side Week with remarks from Keith Stanley and THE NEW STATE redevelopment team, and stick around for a mural unveiling, live music, food trucks, and Pete’s Pops. All attendees will receive a free NWS Week t-shirt.
Tuesday, Sept.14:
- Taste of the Near West Side, all day
At participating Near West Side restaurants
Enjoy specials and discounts from Near West Side restaurants, including past winners of Rev-Up MKE.
Wednesday, Sept.15:
- Appreciative Inquiry Summit Webinar, 12-1 p.m.
Tune in via Near West Side Partners Facebook Live
This special installation of the Near West Side Partners’ Wednesday Webinar Series will provide updates from July Appreciative Inquiry Summit.
- Historic Avenues West Walking Tour, 5-6:30 p.m.
Ambassador Hotel, 2308 W Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee
Join Keith Stanley for a guided tour of the historic Avenues West neighborhood, utilizing a new app developed by Historic Milwaukee, and enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail from Gin Rickey before or after the tour.
Thursday, Sept.16:
- Near West Side to Hank Aaron Trail Walk & Ride, 4:30-7 p.m.
Merrill Park, 435 N 35th Street, Milwaukee
Bike or walk to the Hank Aaron Trail with Near West Side Partners and enjoy brats and refreshments at the finish! All attendees will receive a free NWS Week t-shirt.
Friday, Sept. 17:
- Near West Side Scavenger Hunt, game opens at noon
Get a group together, compete for prizes and experience Near West Side landmarks, historic sites, and hidden gems. The game will open via the GooseChase app at noon at Friday, September 17, and will close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 18. A team can begin game play at any time during this period and can complete missions at its own pace. Final game standings will be determined and announced on Monday, September 20.
- Near West Side Movie Night, 5-9 p.m.
Merrill Park, 435 N 35th Street, Milwaukee
Join the Near West Side neighborhood for a family friendly evening screening of Tom & Jerry (2021) in Merrill Park.
Saturday, Sept.18:
- Near West Side Scavenger Hunt, games closes at 6 p.m.
Get a group together, compete for prizes and experience Near West Side landmarks, historic sites, and hidden gems. The game will open via the GooseChase app at noon on Friday, September 17, and will close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 18. A team can begin game play at any time during this period and can complete missions at its own pace. Final game standings will be determined and announced on Monday, September 20.
- Virtual Near West Side Housing Resource Fair, 9:30-11 a.m.
Via Zoom
Take a virtual tour and learn everything you need to know about purchasing a home and the resources available in the Near West Side.
- Vliet Street Mural Tour, 3-5 p.m.
Vliet Street Oasis Market, 3743 W Vliet Street, Milwaukee
Join NWSP and artist Brad Bernard for a guided walk down Vliet Street to see and hear about new murals installed as part of the Choice Neighborhood Initiative Action Activity program and other citywide arts initiatives.
For more information, visit www.nearwestsidemke.org/nwsweek.
ABOUT NEAR WEST SIDE PARTNERS, INC:
Near West Side Partners, Inc. is a non-profit organization with a mission to revitalize and sustain the Near West Side as a thriving business and residential corridor, through collaborative efforts to promote commercial corridor development, improved housing, unified neighborhood identity and branding, and greater safety for residents and businesses. Near West Side Partners, Inc. is an organization of businesses and civic leaders from throughout the Near West Side, including the organization’s five anchor institutions – Advocate Aurora Health, Harley-Davidson, Marquette University, MolsonCoors and Potawatomi Business Development Corp.
