From Sept. 7 – 13, community members will celebrate the Near West Side with a week of free community activities, events and prizes
MILWAUKEE, WI – Near West Side Partners (NWSP) is hosting its fifth annual Near West Side Week – a weeklong celebration filled with daily events for the community to celebrate what makes the Near West Side a great place to work, live and play. Beginning on Sunday, Sept. 7 and running through Saturday, Sept. 13, Near West Side Week will include daily opportunities to connect with the Near West Side community and support local businesses.
“As the Near West Side continues to grow and evolve, Near West Side Week is an opportunity to celebrate everything that makes our neighborhood special while building momentum and excitement for all that lies ahead,” said Lindsey St. Arnold Bell, NWSP Executive Director. “We invite neighbors, business owners and visitors to come together and appreciate all that our community has to offer this week!”
A complete line-up of events and activities to engage in during Near West Side Week is here:
Sunday, Sept. 7:
New State Block Party, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m
The New State Music Park, 2600 W. State St.
The New State and NWSP will kick off Near West Side Week with a celebratory block party at the New State Music Park! Come to try local eats, watch performances from Milwaukee artists and explore local artists’ displays.
Monday, Sept. 8:
Rev-Up MKE Competition, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
The Rave/Eagles Club, 2401 W Wisconsin Ave.
NWSP is holding its eighth annual Rev-Up MKE competition, with a brand-new, expo-style format. Each entrepreneur will host a booth to showcase their business idea and interact with event attendees. Attendees will also have the chance to vote for their favorite business to determine the Audience Choice Award winner and enjoy a “Taste of the Near West Side,” featuring local cuisine that reflects the neighborhood’s vibrancy.
Tuesday, Sept. 9:
Bike Trail Task Force, 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Concordia 27, 801 N. 27th St.
Join NWSP and the 30th Street Equitable Development Taskforce to learn more about their effort to create a 6.7 mile-long, multi-use trail along the 30th Street corridor rail line to connect Milwaukee neighborhoods.
Wednesday, Sept. 10:
Coffee Social at Fruition MKE, Concordia 27 Apartment Tour and SWIM Speaker Series, 7:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Concordia 27, 801 N. 27th St.
Neighbors are invited to start their day with free coffee and pastries from Fruition MKE and learn about the great opportunities to live, work and play in the Near West Side. Attendees can also tour the Concordia 27 apartments and listen to Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee’s panel discussion on women’s mental health.
Wednesday, Sept. 10:
Penfield Safety Outpost, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Penfield Children’s Center, 833 N. 26th St.
Join Near West Side Partners for a free community, family-friendly event hosted by Penfield Children’s Center, featuring health and safety resources, kids’ activities, community resources and more.
Thursday, Sept. 11:
Home Sweet Home, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Davidson Park, 3725 W. Juneau Ave.
Revitalize Milwaukee and NWSP invite community members to a free celebration of how healthy homes restore dignity, health and peace of mind. Attendees can enjoy music from the Milwaukee Tool Shed Band, food trucks and more.
Thursday, Sept. 11 – Saturday, Sept. 13:
Scavenger Hunt Kickoff
Near West Side neighbors are invited to participate in a free and fun scavenger hunt around the neighborhood. Enjoy our community’s sites while learning more about what makes our neighborhood special. Click here for the instructions on how to get started!
Friday, Sept. 12:
Near West Fest presented by the Harley Davidson Foundation, 4:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Davidson Park, 3725 W. Juneau Ave.
Celebrate Near West Side Week at Davidson Park with food trucks, live music from Cache MKE, face painting and happy hour at the 1903 Tavern and Beer Garden. Community members are invited to grab free popcorn and watch a family friendly movie, The Sandlot, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 13:
Wintrust Financial Literacy, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Concordia 27, 3725 W. Juneau Ave.
Community members are welcome to participate in this free Financial Literacy Series designed to provide essential financial education and practical money management skills, with a focus on making decisions to buy a home.
Saturday, Sept. 13:
Third Space Collective MKE Ribbon Cutting, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Third Space Collective MKE, 500 N. 29th St.
Join NWSP in welcoming Third Space Collective MKE, a gallery, gathering space, and incubator for creatives in Merrill Park, to the Near West Side! The event will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by the inaugural exhibition showcasing visual artist Eryn Turner at 1 p.m.
All Week: Monday, Sept. 8 – Friday, Sept. 12:
Text to Win
Each day at 9 a.m. during Near West Side Week, neighbors can text NWSWEEK to 414-677-3300 to answer a question for a chance to win a gift card to a local Near West Side business. Play each day to increase your chances of winning! For more information, visit www.nearwestsidemke.org/nwsweek.
NWSP would like to thank this year’s Near West Side Week sponsors for their support. In particular, NWSP is grateful to Town Bank, the presenting sponsor for Near West Side Week and the Rev-Up MKE Competition. In addition, NWSP would like to thank its supporters who have generously invested in Near West Side Week: 5 O’Clock Steakhouse, Advocate Aurora, Catholic Financial Life, Centers for Independence, Children’s Wisconsin, Clark House, Concordia 27 Apartments, David J. Frank, Greenfire, Grifols, Harley Davidson Foundation, JJ Fish & Chicken, LISC Milwaukee, Mandel Properties, Marquette University, Marquette University High School, Matt Talbot Recovery Services, Mortenson, Mueller Communications, Neela’s Market / Citgo, O’Leary and Anick, Penfield Children’s Center, Pieper Electric, Potawatomi Ventures, R & K Liquor Inc., Raj Food, Ritz Holman, Spin, Town Bank and Village Inn.
ABOUT NEAR WEST SIDE PARTNERS, INC:
Near West Side Partners (NWSP) is a non-profit organization that works to revitalize the Near West Side of Milwaukee in four key focus areas: safety, housing, attracting and retaining businesses, and promoting the well-being of our neighbors. NWSP was founded through the support of business and civic leaders, including the organization’s five anchor institutions – Aurora Health Care, Harley-Davidson, Marquette University, Molson Coors and Potawatomi Ventures.
