Hike to Support the Urban Ecology Center

Urban Ecology Center. ©The Kubala Washatko Architects, Inc.

There’s plenty to do in the Milwaukee area this week while still maintaining social distancing.

Each week, Urban Milwaukee is curating a list of events that are taking the necessary safety precautions provided by the CDC in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This week you can participate in Doors Open Milwaukee, though it will be completely virtual this year. And you can celebrate the Walker’s Point neighborhood with its Appreciation Week, or participate in a hike in support of Milwaukee’s Urban Ecology Center. And don’t forget to visit some farmer’s markets as they won’t be around much longer.

September 24-27: Walker’s Point Appreciation Week

Head down to the Walker’s Point neighborhood to celebrate Walker’s Point Appreciation Week, an event that has replaced the Walker’s Point Street Fest with a more COVID-19 appropriate format. Businesses will be offering week-long specials, such as new beer releases from Indeed Brewing Company (530 S. 2nd St.) and Urban Harvest Brewing. Check out your favorite Walker’s Point businesses to see what they’ll be offering in celebration of the neighborhood.

September 25: Movie Night at Story Hill FireHouse

Story Hill FireHouse (407 N. Hawley Rd.) is collaborating with Soundsational DJ’s and Entertainment on an outdoor movie night. The 1927 bungalow-style firehouse will show a surprise movie on a large screen outside that will start at 7 p.m. While the movie has not been revealed yet, some hints dropped on the Facebook event page suggest it will be baseball themed. No outside beverages are allowed, but a cash bar offering themed cocktails and mocktails will be available. McGinn’s (5901 W. Bluemound Rd.) will be offering fish fry to go for the event.

Balzac is hoping to end patio season with a bang with its second Filipino lunch event. The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is first-come-first-serve with no reservations. Customers will dine on the patio if the weather permits, and socially-distanced seating will be arranged as needed. The menu will feature Balzac’s take on Sisig, a popular Filipino dish traditionally made with minced pork, chopped onion and chicken liver (Balzac’s Sisig will feature crispy pork belly and a sunny side egg) and other Filipino delights.

September 26: Tosa Farmer’s Market

Every Saturday until Oct. 17, the Wauwatosa Farmer’s Market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon. In accordance with guidelines from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and local health officials, the market has added new safety precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Some important guidelines include limiting families to one healthy adult shopper (leave the kids at home if possible), one-way walking traffic routes and pre-ordering for quick pick-up. For a full list of guidelines, check out the Facebook event page. The market is located at Hart Mills Parking Lot at 7720 Harwood Ave.

September 26: Oak Creek Farmer’s Market

Every Saturday until the end of October, the Oak Creek Farmer’s Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market has new safety precautions in place and added an online ordering option that includes a drive-thru. Vendors start taking orders for pickup each Monday. The market is located at the Drexel Town Square, at 8040 S. 6th St.

September 26: South Shore Farmer’s Market

Every Saturday until the end of October, the South Shore Farmer’s Market at South Shore Park in Bay View will be open from 8 a.m. until noon. The market is following a new social-distancing format that will allow for safe, fast and easy transactions. Pre-orders can be made from the online store Monday through Thursday.

Every Saturday and Sunday in September, the East Side Art Lot (a new outdoor hangout spot that Urban Milwaukee previously reported on) will host a socially distanced art and maker market presented by The Waxwing, Milwaukee Makers Market and The East Side BID. From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., guests can browse 12 vendors while enjoying live local music. Masks are required for this event.

September 26: Virtual Doors Open Milwaukee Opening Day

Like most other annual Milwaukee events, Doors Open Milwaukee, an event that allowed businesses around the city to invite the public into their spaces for special events and tours, has pivoted to a virtual format. From Sept. 26 to Oct. 11, over 85 businesses will allow online tours through photos, videos and 360-degree-virtual reality experiences. Visitors will also have the opportunity to go on a virtual tour of Fund for Lake Michigan Water Passport sites and learn about the relationship between Milwaukee’s water and the the city’s development. Doors Open is also offering a downloadable neighborhood activity booklet designed by artist Erick “CK” Ledesma that will feature family-friendly and socially-distanced activities in 16 neighborhoods. For more information on participating buildings and sites, visit historicmilwaukee.org/doors-open.

September 26-27, 29, October 1: Fondy Farmer’s Market

Every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday until early November, the Fondy Farmers Market will be set up at 2200 W. Fond du Lac Ave. Fresh vegetables, baked goods, wellness products and more will be sold. The event is taking precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as requiring masks and prohibiting eating on-site. Free masks are available at the information booth. SNAP benefits are accepted, and some vendors also accept WIC and Senior vouchers. The market will run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

September 27: Greenfield Farmer’s Market

Every Sunday up until the end of October the Greenfield Farmer’s Market at Konkel Park, 5151 W. Layton Ave., will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market encourages social distancing and mask wearing. And there are one-way traffic arrows to help prevent crowded spaces. The market is accepting cash, Visa, Mastercard and SNAP benefits for payment. For more information, visit the market’s website.

September 27: Riverwest Farmer’s Market

Every Sunday until Oct. 18, the Riverwest Farmer’s Market will take place on N. Pierce Street between E. Center Street and E. Hadley Street  (next to the basketball court). Fresh produce, flowers and baked goods are just some of the stuff for sale at the market. Vendors will be set up from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Urban Ecology Center is hosting its sixth rendition of its annual MKE HKE, a family-friendly hike with the goal of raising funds to support the center’s mission. Participants have the option to complete one of three hikes, all between two and three miles long. Hike locations include Riverside Park (1500 E. Park Pl.), Washington Park (1859 N. 40th St.) or Menominee Valley (3700 W. Pierce St.). Hikers are encouraged to wear masks and can reserve time slots for self-led or guided hikes by registering online. Guided hikes are led by a UEC team member and cost $25. Self-led hikes are free, but still require signing up to ensure social distancing. For more information, visit urbanecologycenter.org/hkemke.

September 29: River Roundup featuring The Erotic Adventures of the Static Chicken

The jazzy, funky and fun band that most will know from its performances at The Jazz Estate is taking to the Milwaukee river for the final edition of the River Round Up concert series. Join The Erotic Adventures of the Static Chicken in a kayak cruise that will depart from Brew City Kayaks (818 S. Water St.) at 5 p.m. and will travel up the river to The Harp Irish Pub (113 E. Juneau Ave.), where the band will perform a short set. The event will then move to Boone & Crockett (818 S. Water St.) for a socially-distanced after-party. Ticket options include a kayak rental for $45, or a bring-your-own-kayak option for $20 if you plan to launch from the event’s starting point. Those who depart from elsewhere are encouraged to donate to @funkclubwagon via Venmo.