Amidst a number of events that are canceling their 2021 plans, it’s been interesting to see a few events (tentatively) going ahead with their 2021 plans. Like the second annual Bloody Mary Festival-Wisconsin, for instance, which today announced its (tentative) intention to set up shop outside the Fiserv Forum, in the Deer District, on August 21.

“People are ready to get back out again and have fun,” says event organizer Evan Weiss in a press release. “We’re closely monitoring the pandemic and we’ll follow all safety protocols as required by the CDC, state, and local officials.”

So yeah, after going virtual in 2020, the Milwaukee edition of the nationwide Bloody Mary Festival will (tentatively) return for a second in-person event on Saturday, August 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Another virtual installment of the Bloody Mary Festival is set for Saturday, March 20.) Guests will have the opportunity to (tentatively) taste various Bloody Mary mixes from local bars, restaurants, and craft bottled mixes, and (tentatively) vote for a “People’s Choice Award.” A panel of industry judges will also (tentatively) select the “Best Bloody Mary in Wisconsin.”

General admission tickets are $49, while VIP are $59. Tentatively.

“The Bloody Mary Festival-Wisconsin had a tremendous inaugural event in 2019, attracting thousands of people to Deer District,” says Michael Belot, Senior Vice President of Bucks Ventures and Development, in a press release. “We look forward to once again hosting The Bloody Mary Festival-Wisconsin to celebrate the innovative Bloody Marys made by Wisconsin’s diverse restaurants and to offer our guests another fun and unique event in Deer District.”

Here’s the full press release:


THE SECOND ANNUAL BLOODY MARY FESTIVAL-WISCONSIN TO BE HELD IN DEER DISTRICT ON SATURDAY, AUG. 21, 2021

MILWAUKEE (March 2, 2021) – The Bloody Mary Festival-Wisconsin will return to Deer District on Saturday, Aug. 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event marks the festival’s second annual event in Deer District. Milwaukee is one of 10 cities nationwide to host The Bloody Mary Festival.

“The Bloody Mary Festival-Wisconsin had a tremendous inaugural event in 2019, attracting thousands of people to Deer District,” said Michael Belot, Senior Vice President of Bucks Ventures and Development. “We look forward to once again hosting The Bloody Mary Festival-Wisconsin to celebrate the innovative Bloody Marys made by Wisconsin’s diverse restaurants and to offer our guests another fun and unique event in Deer District.”

The largest event of its kind, The Bloody Mary Festival brings together the most innovative and crafty Bloody Mary mixes, curated by its team of Bloody Mary aficionados and made by local bars, restaurants, and craft bottled mixes.

“We knew how popular Bloody Marys were in Wisconsin but the response to this event has been overwhelming!” said Event Organizer, Evan Weiss. “People are ready to get back out again and have fun. We’re closely monitoring the pandemic and we’ll follow all safety protocols as required by the CDC, state, and local officials.”

Guests will have the opportunity to taste them all before voting for their favorite via the “People’s Choice Award.” A panel of industry judges will also select the “Best Bloody Mary in Wisconsin.”

The festival goes beyond cocktails, however, by including many local businesses sampling and selling food, beverages, crafts and more. Tickets to the festival will include all participating Bloody Marys, tastes of local food and beverage products, temporary tattoos, photo ops and more.

Currently, The Bloody Mary Festival happens virtually with each ticket holder receiving a box full of Bloody Marys delivered to their door in advance of the virtual event. During the virtual event, attendees enjoy the Bloody Mary box, hear from the experts, then vote for their favorite. The next virtual event is Saturday, March 20, 2021.

The Bloody Mary Festival – Wisconsin has General Admission sessions from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. and VIP sessions from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. The General Admission cost is $49, and the VIP cost is $59.

For more information on The Bloody Mary Festival-Wisconsin, or to purchase tickets, visit www.thebloodymaryfest.com. Follow the festival at Facebook and Instagram for more news and up-to-date information.

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Co-Founder and Editor

Matt Wild weighs between 140 and 145 pounds. He lives on Milwaukee's east side.