Near West Side Partners will celebrate the second Near West Side Week from Sunday, Sept. 11, to Saturday, Sept. 17. Throughout the week, there will be a variety of events highlighting the Near West Side’s thriving neighborhoods and businesses.
In addition to the regularly scheduled Near West Side Week events, there are two bonus opportunities for Marquette faculty and staff members to get involved.
Sound the Alarm Volunteer Event
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
MEETING POINT: Harley-Davidson Campus, 3700 West Juneau Ave.
The Near West Side Partners are working alongside the American Red Cross to make homes safer, and volunteers are needed. Volunteers will install smoke alarms and provide home fire safety information to residents on the Near West Side. No prior experience is necessary. Training will be provided. Volunteers will visit homes in teams of three.
Registration can be done online or by emailing Kelly Clark of the American Red Cross before Friday, Sept. 9.
Bus tour prior to Near West Side Food Truck Rally
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 15, at 11:30 a.m.
MEETING POINT: AMU Town Bank branch.
Catch a bus and take a short tour of the Near West Side before grabbing lunch at the Near West Side Food Truck Rally, scheduled to run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Highland Park (4000 W. Highland Blvd.). Register in advance online.
Schedule of events
Sunday, Sept. 11
- Vliet Street Paint and Sip
- 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. | Vliet Street Parklet, 3801 W. Vliet St.
- Paint alongside new Near West Side business owner Chrishella Roche of Vibez Creative Studio while enjoying a drink from Triciclo Peru. Registration is required.
Monday, Sept. 12
- Near West Side Week Kick Off
- Noon to 1 p.m. | The New State Music Park, 2612 W. State St.
- Join for remarks from Keith Stanley, executive director of Near West Side Partners, and THE NEW STATE redevelopment team, as well as a ribbon cutting, live music from Evan Christian and food trucks. Attendees will receive a free Near West Side Week t-shirt.
Tuesday, Sept. 13
- 27th Street Walking Tour
- 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. | Daddy’s Soul Food & Grille, 754 N. 27th St.
- Check out new developments along 27th Street, including a behind-the-scenes look at the new Concordia 27 community resource hub, during this tour guided by Keith Stanley. Register online.
- Near West Side Sound the Alarm
- 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. | Harley-Davidson Campus, 3700 W. Juneau
- American Red Cross volunteers and partners will install free smoke alarms and provide life-saving education in Near West Side homes.
Wednesday, Sept. 14
- Rev-Up MKE live pitch event
- 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. | The Rave/Eagles Ballroom, 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave.
- Rev-Up MKE is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to expand or start a business in the Near West Side. Join to hear from finalists, cast your vote and enjoy a taste of the Near West Side by sampling food from local restaurants.
Thursday, Sept. 15
- Food Truck Rally
- 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Highland Park, 4000 W. Highland Ave.
- NWSP staff will be handing out Near West Side Week t-shirts, gift cards and other swag. Check the Near West Side Week website for vendor updates.
- Near West Side Housing Resource Fair
- 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. | Milwaukee Academy of Science, 2200 W. Kilbourn Ave.
- Make connections and learn everything you need to know about purchasing a home and the resources available in the Near West Side.
Friday, Sept. 16
- Near West Side Movie Night
- 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. | Merrill Park, 435 N. 35th St.
- Enjoy Disney’s “Encanto” under the stars. Arrive early to play, put down a blanket and enjoy snacks.
- Near West Side Scavenger Hunt
- All day through the GooseChase App
- Explore the Near West Side and discover its hidden gems. Play on your own or recruit more team members to complete missions, earn points and make memories. Prizes include Near West Side gift cards. View the scavenger hunt rules and gameplay instructions online.
Saturday, Sept. 17
- Near West Side Stroll & Roll
- 10 a.m. to noon | Merrill Park, 435 N. 35th St.
- Bike or walk to the Hank Aaron Trail with Near West Side Partners and enjoy refreshments at the finish. All attendees receive a free Near West Side t-shirt. Register online.
- Near West Side Action Activities Tour
- 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Ambassador Hotel, 2308 W. Wisconsin Ave.
- Join Near West Side Partners for a bus tour of new murals, neighborhood markets, storefronts and more installed as part of the CNI Action Activities. Register online.
- Near West Side Scavenger Hunt
- All day through the GooseChase App
- Explore the Near West Side and discover its hidden gems. Play on your own or recruit more team members to complete missions, earn points and make memories. Prizes include Near West Side gift cards. View the scavenger hunt rules and gameplay instructions online.
About the Near West Side
Marquette, an anchor institution of Near West Side Partners, supports the continued revitalization of Milwaukee’s Near West Side and the community engagement, business and commercial corridor development, housing and tenant engagement as well as health and well-being commitments of NWSP.
Click here to learn more about the history of the Near West Side Partners and Marquette’s involvement in the nonprofit organization.