Two years ago, the folks behind energy drink/extreme sports/soccer-team ownership brand Red Bull brought its Flugtag event to Milwaukee and wowed more than 50,000 people on the lakefront with a parade of human-powered flying machines that soared (or didn’t) to success. Next month, the company will return with a similarly inventive — but arguably more accomplished — group of athletes.
Red Bull Wake the City will turn the lakefront into another sort of proving ground Saturday, Aug. 31, as pairs of pro wakeboarders will try to widen the eyes of a judging panel and walk away victorious. Honestly, after watching a few highlights from the 2022 event in the Italian city of Milan, walking away period seems like a win.
Until this year, Europe was the only continent to host Wake the City, which will trade Milan’s canals for the shores of Lake Michigan as it makes its United States debut in Milwaukee.
“I am so excited to compete at the first U.S. Red Bull Wake the City event right where it all started for me,” said Meagan Ethell, Red Bull athlete and upcoming Red Bull Wake the City participant. “Growing up in the suburbs just outside of Chicago, I can tell you there’s nothing better than a summer in the Midwest on the water.”
Ethell will be one of 36 wakeboarders in the doubles competition taking place along the Lakeshore State Park Inlet right next to Henry Maier Festival Park. The free event is open to the public and will have more information to share soon via Red Bull’s website.
