The 2020 installment of Bay View Bash has officially been canceled. The sprawling neighborhood festival—which was scheduled to take place Saturday, September 19—is typically one of the city’s last large-scale summer happenings. As such, the Bash is among the last festivals to make the tough (but wise) decision to call off this year’s event as a result of COVID-19 concerns.
This year’s cancelation comes after a rainy 2019 installment, which had a significant impact on attendance. Despite having to cancel this year’s Bay View Bash, organizers expect the event will return September 18, 2021.
Here’s the official statement from Bay View Bash:
We have made the painful decision to not host this year’s Bay View Bash. Our mission is to support our community, and right now we feel the best way we can support one another is by not putting each other at risk for a potential wave two of Covid-19.
The Bash is run entirely by volunteers and all the money we raise is given back to local non-profits, schools, and hardworking groups that do so much for our community. We encourage you all if you have the ability to, please consider donating to Bay View restaurants, bars, shops, venues, salons, and gyms to help keep us strong.
Keep your eyes peeled to our page as we come up with different ideas to help raise funds for the neighborhood.
Milwaukee Record—which has booked and managed a stage at the event since 2018—is looking forward to the Bash’s eventual return. Until then, stay safe.
Photo by Brianna Griepentrog