The start of summer depends on whether you’re a traditionalist (Memorial Day) or a literalist (the solstice, which this year falls on June 21). Either way, you’ve got time to attend a spring festival before the clock runs out, and this Saturday affords you the opportunity as the Morgan Park PIcnic returns for its second edition.
Milwaukee Record and local tavern Busby’s launched the event last year in an effort to liven up the one-acre triangle between the Bay View and Fernwood neighborhoods. The reception was such that it seemed silly not to come back for year two, which will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the location right there in the title.
There’s a fair amount packed into that 43,560 square feet, including an entertainment lineup featuring some top-notch Milwaukee musicians. Healium teacher Robyn Lucks will start things on the festival stage by hosting a Punk Rock Yoga class from 11 to 11:45 a.m. (registration encouraged), after which you’ll be able to enjoy tunes from:
- 12:30 p.m. — Red Quean
- 2 p.m. — Emmitt James & The Stankface Trio
- 3 p.m. — dak duBois & the flavour brigade
- 4:30 p.m. — Social Cig
With ample opportunity to bob your head and maybe even move your body to the music, you’ll need some food to fuel up. The event has a fair number of palettes covered with a lineup that includes Bay View Lions Club, K&L’s BBQ, Not Bad Food, Off Shore, Pallino Burger, and Tots On The Street, plus desserts from Chillwaukee Pops and Pie Inc.
Following the logical path we’ve laid for ourselves, you now need something to wash down all those yummy eats. Carry-ins are a BIG no-no because a lot of work goes into this thing, and all of the people involved need to be fairly compensated for their efforts (plus carry-ins are illegal based on the event permits). Fortunately, Busby’s has ample experience pouring beverages of all kinds, including the ones you’ll find at the drink stations:
- Central Time IPA
- Cucumber Lime Blonde Ale
- Frog Weiss Fruited Sour
- Happy Place Midwest Pale Ale (draft + cans!)
- Heavenly Haze Hazy IPA
- Lavender Lemonade Fruited Sour
- Liquid Death Water
- Morgan Park Golden Ale
- Odyssea Rosé Sangria
- Odyssea Red Sangria
- Pretty Good Amber Ale
- Sprecher Root Beer
- Third Space Hop Water Citra Lemon
As with all of the best Milwaukee festivals, a good crop of local retailers and vendors will be on hand, in this case stationed on Pennsylvania Avenue between KK and Holt. You can also go above and beyond by volunteering to ensure a smooth festival experience for all. Beyond that, the organizers suggest using alternative transportation so you don’t need to worry about parking, and maybe bring a lawn chair or other seating option to get comfy for the afternoon.
If you’d like even more information about this year’s Morgan Park Picnic, slide over to the Milwaukee Record website.
