Ponchos, umbrellas and relentless spirits filled the Summerfest grounds at Saturday’s Black Arts Fest MKE.
Founded in 2018, the festival celebrates the deep roots of African heritage and the creativity of Black cultural arts. The theme for the 2026 iteration of the festival was “Unity and Community.”
Multiple performances and numerous activities were planned for the day of celebration. Though Saturday’s rainfall caused multiple events to be cancelled.
Vendors, artists and performers found solace under covered tents and tarps as rain pounded the city. There, artists painted new pieces and showcased their collections to attendees.
Music was also a large theme for the day. Although the event was brought down from two stages to one, vibrant local performers brought the energy. Country, gospel music, and jazz were among the wide variety of musical genres featured.
While a few events were cancelled due to weather, the art contest, a paint and sip and many other performances went on as scheduled.
Across the festival grounds, food trucks and local kitchens brought culinary diversity. A wide variety of traditional African goods vendors could be found throughout the grounds selling clothes, hats, jewelry, baskets and more.
The people who braved the elements on a rainy August day were treated to vibrant music, art and food at 2026’s Black Arts Festival in Milwaukee.
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