For those of you who might not be aware of it, Morgan Park (3404 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.) is a triangular parcel of public land where the Bay View and Fernwood neighborhoods meet just before the border of St. Francis. While it’s far from being Milwaukee County’s largest park, the 0.9-acre space has a great location and it’s really nice. In an effort to draw more attention to this underutilized gem and informally kick off the city’s festival season, Milwaukee Record and Busby’s have joined forces on a new springtime celebration that will bring big time fun to one of Milwaukee’s smallest parks.
On Saturday, May 24, the inaugural “Morgan Park Picnic” will take place at—you guessed it!—Morgan Park. From noon to 6 p.m., the eponymous park will play host to a family-friendly festival that will offer a winning mix of live entertainment, local food trucks, Wisconsin craft beer (and other refreshments), and area retailers set up in and around the triangle. Milwaukee alt-country outfit Ladybird will headline the event, with Latin fusion artist El Sebas, indie rockers Scam Likely, and an open yoga session from Healium also scheduled to take the stage over the course of the day.
Busby’s will curate an impressive blend of beverages from local breweries to sell on site, which will be served by volunteers raising money for community organizations including Fernwood Montessori School, Bay View Bash, and Bay View High School Gay Straight Alliance. Guests can also enjoy food from Flour Girl & Flame, Pallino Burger, Not Bad Food, and Trouble Makers Cocina, all of which will be nestled against the park on Kinnickinnic Ave. Directly across the park, a wide range of local vendors, makers, artists, and organizations will be set up along Pennsylvania Ave. Email [email protected] if you’re interested in purchasing one of the remaining retail vendor spots.
Speaking of money…man, it costs a lot to put on a free community festival! In an effort to help offset some of the expenses associated with producing the event, we’re hosting a Morgan Park Picnic Fundraiser & Volunteer Sign-Up event at Busby’s on Sunday, April 6. From 2-5 p.m., there will be raffles and 10-Liners for great local items. All proceeds will go toward port-o-potty rentals. So come out and help us pay for crap! (And sign up for a volunteer shift if you want to pitch in at the event itself.)
The inaugural Morgan Park Picnic is made possible through primary support by Pabst Theater Group, as well as sponsorship from Educators Credit Union, Kelly’s Greens, Egan Keene Real Estate, Bay View Neighborhood Association, Kneeverland Productions, Wild Workouts & Wellness, Abodes Bestowed, Music Go Round Greenfield, MilWALKee Walks, Healium Hot Yoga, Sprocket Cafe, and WMSE. Save the date and join Milwaukee Record and Busby’s at the first Morgan Park Picnic on Saturday, May 24. We’d love to see you there! [Art by Jake Rohde]