1.
Sunset Zoofari
JULY 6, 13, 20 AND 27
Boogie down with the four-legged ones! The Milwaukee County Zoo brings in local bands for evenings with with the animals. Each night has a theme; the participating bands are Mission Accomplished, Downtown Harrison and Dirty Boogie. You get all this and more at a reduced admission price!
2.
Gathering on the Green
JULY 7-10
Start your weekend early with this Mequon concert series. The festivities kick off Thursday with a tribute to Bruce Springsteen and continue for four packed days with Sammy Kershaw, Collin Raye and Aaron Tippin on Friday, and 38 Special and Night Ranger on Saturday. The weekend closes with Danny Gokey – yes, from “American Idol” – on Sunday.
3.
Port Fish Day
JULY 15-16
Once billed as the “world’s largest one-day outdoor fish fry,” this massive event pairing fried fish and live music now extends over two days in picturesque Port Washington.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
4.
Milwaukee Day at the East Troy Railroad
JULY 16
Rides in a historic Milwaukee streetcar or a newly restored Silverliner car are just part of this celebration of electric railroading history.
5.
Cream Puff 5K
JULY 20
Consider this run on the Milwaukee Mile racetrack your State Fair preview. A cream puff and a ticket to this year’s fair await at the finish line, providing an incentive to pick up your pace.
6.
Air Shows
MULTIPLE DATES
Eyes to the sky this month with back-to-back air shows. Milwaukee Air & Water Show flies July 23-24 (mkeairwatershow.com) and EAA AirVenture takes off July 25-31 in Oshkosh (eaa.org). Expect jaw-dropping aerobatics at both.
7.
German Fest
JULY 29-31
Head to Henry Maier Festival Park for the beer, but stay for the dancing. The polka bands here are seasoned pros, and the Bavarian pretzels are good, too. Prost!
8.
Explore Local Gardens
MULTIPLE DATES
The Milwaukee Art Museum Garden Club is participating in Open Days, a national program through the Garden Conservancy (mamgardenclub.org). Three picturesque gardens will be on display July 30-31 in Bayside and River Hills. For a more personal tour on July 10, check out the not-so-secret Riverwest Secret Garden Tour, which takes you through the yards of gardeners in the neighborhood (riverwestsecretgardentour.com).
