Looking for something to do this Saturday? You might have found it.
Silver City Fest offers a little bit of everything, from noodles to art activities, reptiles and folk dancing.
Led by the VIA Community Development Corp., the festival celebrates the Silver City neighborhood and diverse cultures and businesses that make up the community. This year’s celebration marks the 15th Silver City Fest.
“I think it just speaks to VIA’s belief in investing in the neighborhoods that we work in,” said Brisa Van Galen, economic development director for VIA CDC.
The family-friendly event is usually held along West National Avenue, but the City of Milwaukee and Wisconsin Department of Transportation are currently in the middle of rebuilding the avenue between South 39th and South 27th streets.
Not to be deterred, the festivities will move to West Pierce Street under the 35th Street viaduct to 37th Street from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12.
“There’s ample street parking on Pierce, or we ask people to park on the side streets,” Van Galen said.
Presented by AARP Wisconsin, the festival will feature an abundance of live music and entertainment, food and activities.
Construction and businesses
Festival attendees can show their support for National Avenue businesses during construction as well as interact with new businesses in the area that are located on West Pierce Street.
Vientiane Noodle Shop, 38th Street Mini Mart, SunRise Nutrition and Rosie’s Beauty Salon from the National Avenue corridor will set up booths at the festival.
Elev8 Table Tennis, a table tennis club planning to open within a building at 3600 W. Pierce St., will have ping-pong tables and a robot that can be used to practice the sport to spread awareness about its business.
SheWolf MKE, also located in the building, will have its garage door open so people can check out the women-focused boxing gym’s space, Van Galen said.
Other food and artisan vendors will be selling lemonade, baked goods, walking tacos, egg rolls, jewelry, crafts and more.
While this is not the first time Silver City Fest has been held outside of National Avenue, the location does change the calculations for some of the neighborhood’s businesses, according to Van Galen.
The challenge is that some businesses on National might not have the staffing or capacity to close their storefronts to run a festival booth a street over or operate both locations.
“We’re doing everything we can to get folks to come out,” Van Galen said.
A range of community organizations will be available with resources, including the Latino Entrepreneurial Network, Milwaukee Domes Alliance and Revitalize Milwaukee.
Activities and entertainment
The festival will include many free interactive activities, including face painting, balloon making, a live chalk art mural designed to look like a 3D structure and activation of the nearby Arlington Heights Park.
“We highly prioritize putting on a festival that is free,” Van Galen said.
La Familia de Arte will be leading art-making activities like creating butterfly medallions and bead necklaces and collecting engraved tiles that will be glazed and used for a mosaic bench that will sit in front of the VIA CDC office.
There will also be a barrel train ride for kids, which Van Galen said is a first for the festival.
From 1 to 4 p.m., learn about reptiles with Tatiana’s Tiny Zoo. Children can also check out some of the Milwaukee Department of Public Works’ big trucks, and a firetruck will be on site from 1 to 2 p.m. You can also expect a visit from Bernie Brewer.
This year’s featured music headliner is Tlalok y Su Orquesta, performing from 2 to 3 p.m. Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa will serve as the event’s emcee.
The entertainment lineup will also feature performances by Ometochtli Mexican Folk Dance, the Milwaukee Flyers, Salsabrositas and Bembé Drum & Dance.
For more information
Follow VIA CDC’s website and social media for updates on the festival. Businesses interested in sponsoring the event for this year or next year are welcome to reach out.
There will be a meeting about the next phase of National Avenue construction from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Elephant TKB, 3730 W. National Ave.
Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.
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