Last Weekend in Milwaukee…

Milwaukee is a diverse city with numerous events happening every weekend. The Third Coast Daily photo team visited several of them last weekend and has a photo gallery including the newly unveiled Iron Block Building on Wisconsin Ave, Summer Soulstice Music Festival on the Eastside, Lakefront Festival of Art at the Milwaukee Art Museum grounds, Greek Fest celebrated at the Summer Fair Grounds, East Library’s farewell commemoration, and a look at Pizza Man’s new Downer location.  Just a small sampling of what our fair city has to offer.

Photos by Madeline Pieschel and Howard Leu

June 17 -June 20 | Unveiling of the restored Iron Block Building 

This past week, the restored Iron Block Building on Wisconsin and Water was officially unveiled to the public. Wisconsin’s largest dental group practice, Dental Associates, purchased and extensively repaired and remodeled the building to accommodate for its  new corporate headquarters and dental clinic, situated in heart of the historic building. The Iron Block Building was built all the way back in 1860, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Along with its historical significance, it embodies architectural importance, being the only surviving building with a cast iron exterior in the city of Milwaukee. After twelve long months of reconstruction, the building has been returned to its near-original state.

Friday-Sunday | Lakefront Festival of Art 

The nationally recognized Lakefront Festival of Art held its 50th year celebration this past weekend, drawing large and diverse crowds. More than 170 artists participated, some traveling across the country to take part. The event took place both inside and outside of the Milwaukee Art Musuem, with tents sheltering the artworks on the MAM lakefront grounds. Along with the beautiful artwork was live music, a wine garden, silent art auction, sculpture garden, food vendors, and more.

Friday-Sunday | Greek Fest

The 47th annual Greek Fest was held at the Wisconsin Summer Fair Grounds Friday, June 21, through Sunday, June 23. The 3 day festival featured a variety of Greek foods and vendors, entertainment including traditional Greek dance performances and live Greek music, carnival games,and lots of rides for children. Friday night marked the festival’s most popular event, the Fish Fry. Along with the delicious fish, patrons could find authentic Greek souvlaki, gyros, saganaki, lamb and chicken, and pastries close by. Greek Fest is a fundraiser for the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

Saturday | Summer Soulstice Music Festival

Last Saturday marked the longest day of the year, and, more importantly, Milwaukee’s 13th annual Summer Soulstice Music Festival, showcasing seventeen of Milwaukee’s greatest local bands and musicians. The long day of festivities, held on North and Murray Avenues, started at noon and ended at midnight, featuring nonstop music on three stages, arts and crafts vendors, neighborhood food and spirits, dodgeball and polo competitions, and even a green market. The Festival is annually held on the East Side as a way to honor emerging local artists.

Saturday | Farewell to East Library

Last Sunday, people stopped by the East Library to bid farewell to this east side icon. The 1968 built building will be razed and replaced with a new mixed-used building complex that will consist of over 90 units of apartments, street level retail and a state-of-the-art library. Many who grew up visiting the East Library came to visit it for the last time. A temporary library will be set up at 2430 N. Murray St.

Pizza Man Showing “Sign” of Life

Pizza Man, another east side icon, installed their familiar store sign at the new 2597 N. Downer Ave. location this past week. The popular establishment originally located on the northeast corner of N. Oakland and E. North was burned to the ground in January 2010. With much fanfare and anticipation, Pizza Man will open its doors once again this Fall.