Great Lakes Distillery Block Party and Bottle Release

Great Lakes Distillery. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

Block party season is upon us! It’s understood that Milwaukeeans will often look for any excuse to party outside with a beverage in hand, and this weekend there are plenty of them. Great Lakes Distillery is celebrating the release of its new Chicken Shack Straight Rye Whiskey with a block party featuring live music, food and plenty of drinks. Enlightened Brewing Company is celebrating its third anniversary at its current location, bringing back fan favorite beers as well as brand new Hazy IPAs and a Session Pale Ale. If you’re looking to get in some exercise in a fun and casual way, the State Fair Park is hosting the Bubble Run — where grown adults and children alike get to race through foam bubbles.

May 20: Uncooped Block Party & Bottle Release at Great Lakes Distillery

The Great Lakes Distillery block parties have returned for 2022, starting off with a bottle release celebration for the distillery’s brand new whiskey: Chicken Shack Straight Rye. Enjoy live music, beer from Central Waters and cocktails that utilize the new whiskey. Food will be served by wood-fired pizza food truck Flour Girl & Flame, and the event will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Great Lakes Distillery (616 W. Virginia St.).

Calling all elephant lovers — the Milwaukee County Zoo is celebrating the world’s largest land animal with an event that will allow guests to go behind the scenes and learn more about the gentle giants. The event features hay room tours, where guests will learn about elephant diets, as well as a game where guests can see how many elephant pellets they can pick up with their “trunk.” Resident elephants Ruth, Brittany and Belle will receive special enrichment at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., and a limited number of paintings made by them will be available to purchase, with all proceeds going towards elephant conservation efforts. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

May 21: Enlightened Brewing Anniversary Block Party

Enlightened Brewing is celebrating the third year of operations at its current location with an Anniversary Block Party. The celebration will include brand new beers, as well as bringing back some fan favorites. New releases include the “Common Cause,” a low alcohol session pale ale brewed and dry-hopped with Cascade. The brewery is also rolling out three hazy IPAs for those looking for something a little more potent. Food will be provided by Pig Tailz MKE and Tots on the Street, and Radio Wranglers and Lost Orange Cat will kick off live music at 5 p.m. The event will run from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

May 21: I Love the 90’s at American Family Field

Gone is the era of Blockbuster video, the Nintendo 64 and “Friends,” but thankfully there are plenty of throwback events to help us remember the good times. Take the “I Love the 90’s” tour, for example. The nationwide event features live music from artists that hit their stride in the 90’s. The tour’s Milwaukee date will take place at American Family Field and will feature performances by Vanilla Ice, Treach of Naughty by Nature and Rob Base.

May 21: Bubble Run at Wisconsin State Fair Park

You’re never too old to play with bubbles — at least according to Bubble Run, a 5k run that sees participants racing through large clusters of bubble foam. The event is meant to be casual — encouraging racers to navigate the course at their own pace. The event will take place at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, and is running a sale for entry tickets that will end on May 20 at 11:59 p.m. Those tickets are only $15 as opposed to the regular $40 fee. Click here for more information.

Over 50 vendors will come together for 414Flea — a curated vintage and goods market. Shop handpicked vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, original artwork and more. The event will take place inside and outside of 906 S. Barclay St., with live music, two full bars and food trucks. Tickets to the event are $15 ahead of time or $20 at the door, and the event will feature free parking. To purchase tickets, click here.

May 22: Grilled Cheese Food Truck Fest

The grilled cheese sandwich — simple, yet highly effective. Celebrate one of America’s favorite sandwiches at the Grilled Cheese Food Truck Fest — featuring six food trucks all specializing in buttery, cheesy bread at The Tap Yard at 1555 N. Rivercenter Dr. The event will feature Mr. P’s Grilled Cheese, Shorty’s Grilled Cheese, Roll MKE, A&A Cafe, Heaven’s Table BBQ and AJ’s Crunch & Munch, and it will run from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.