Don Smiley

The Year’s Most Popular Murphy’s Law Columns

What do Don Smiley, Ryan Clancy and Eric Hovde have in column?

Does Summerfest Get Special Treatment?

Its bar license owned by private company never gets a thorough review by the city.

Why Does Summerfest Run a Private Company?

Its managers Ron San Felippo and Mike White can't explain it. And Summerfest won't say. Third story of investigative series.

Don Smiley Paid $3.3 Million in 2022

Summerfest boss has collected $9.9 million in 6 years for running tax-exempt charity.

Aurora Summerfest Deal Raises Questions

Why is a hospital chain paying for music? And where will money for sponsorship deal come from?

Aurora Becoming Stage Sponsor at Summerfest

Former Johnson Controls World Sound Stage will become The Aurora Pavilion, receive upgrades.

Let The Music Play Grant Program Application Now Open

Positively Impacting Hundreds of Local Music Education Students Annually

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Celebrates a Successful First Half of the Event Season Convening the Community at Henry Maier Festival Park

Summerfest Attendance Up 40%, 3-Weekend Format To Continue

But overall attendance was still well below pre-pandemic levels.

Summerfest Tech Finds Success with its Sixth Annual Conference for Tech Leaders

Milwaukee’s premier summer tech event grew to three days in 2023 and registered thousands of attendees from 29 states and 16 countries.

Don Smiley’s Latest Paycheck Was $991,154

Summerfest boss has collected $6.56 million in five years for running tax exempt charity.

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Announces 2023 Details for Sunday Family Fun Days at Northwestern Mutual Community Park

Series to Feature Community Arts Groups, Activities, and Themed Events

2023 Concert Season at Henry Maier Festival Park Kicks Off May 28 with Janet Jackson

Summerfest 2023 Admission Promotions Announced

Nine Days, 14 Ways to Get in FREE

MCTS Will Provide Buses for Summerfest

MCTS returning to Summerfest with shuttles from two park-and-ride lots.

Summerfest Unveils 2023 Schedule

Here's an easy-to-read schedule, grouped by date and stage.

Milwaukee’s Summerfest Announces 2023 Headliners for 55th Anniversary

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Announces J. Jeffers & Co. as New Sponsor

Includes Naming Rights for Hospitality Area Featuring New Fan Concert Upgrade for All Shows at American Family Insurance Amphitheater

Summerfest Tech to Partner at the South by Southwest® Conference in Austin, TX

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Announces Mary Ellen Stanek as Board Chairwoman and adds Dr. Joan Prince and Charles Harvey to Board of Directors

Sixth Annual Summerfest Tech Celebrates Growth with Three Days of Expanded Programming

Most Popular Murphy’s Law Columns

Readers liked stories about Tims -- Michels and Ramthun. And Summerfest, its well paid leader and IRS complaint were hot stuff.

Biggest Concert Season in Over 15 Years Wraps Up at American Family Insurance Amphitheater and BMO Harris Pavilion

Summerfest Will Keep 3-Weekend Format

Festival says format will return in 2023 and survey shows attendee prefer it.

Republican Party Officially Selects Milwaukee for 2024 Convention

Milwaukee becomes first city to win back-to-back Democratic and Republican national conventions since 1972

Summerfest Tech Experiences Big Growth In 2022

The Sounds of Summerfest Channel Launches Today on Audacy App

Summerfest To Provide Shuttle Service

Private service will be twice as expensive and provide fewer stops than now cancelled public option.

Summerfest Leader Will Step Down At End of 2023

Don Smiley will return at the end of 2023. Sarah Smith Pancheri named president.

Summerfest Marketplace to Feature Nine Minority-Owned Businesses Through BMO EMpower Grant Program

Want To Visit Summerfest’s Children’s Park? Check The Schedule

Northwestern Mutual Community Park is free and popular, but availability is based on fest calendar.

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Announces Sunday Family Fun Days at the Northwestern Mutual Community Park

Park opens to the community on April 19

IRS Complaint Filed Against Summerfest

Complaint challenges festival’s nonprofit status, claiming it now operates ‘as a commercial entity.’

Bob Babisch Announces 2022 Season will be Final Year Serving as Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Vice President of Entertainment

Summerfest Tech Celebrates 5th Year with Focus on Innovation

Grows to 2 Days, Adds Locations, Expands Reach, Doubles Pitch Competition Prize

Summerfest CEO Collects $2.49 Million

Don Smiley gets total compensation of 1.19 million in 2019 and $1.29 million in 2020.

Summerfest Lands One of the City of Milwaukee’s Top Attorneys

Mary Schanning will become general counsel, chief administrative officer at Milwaukee World Festival.

Indoor Concert Complex Planned Next To Summerfest

800 and 4,000 seat theaters would offer year-round entertainment.

Summerfest to Extend Fan Appreciation Day Hours Saturday

FREE Summerfest 2022 Tickets to first 30,000 Fans 2022 Dates Announced

Summerfest Will Offer Its Own Shuttles

Festival to offer scaled-down version of MCTS park-and-ride bus network.

Milwaukee World Festival to Provide Bus Shuttles to Summerfest

Gov. Evers Appoints Tim Sheehy as Chair of the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District Board

Summerfest Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative Test

Music festival is first major outdoor event in Milwaukee area to implement requirement.

Cousins Subs Announces Summerfest Ticket Promotion

Sub Shop Rewards Customers with Free Ticket Offer

Northwestern Mutual Builds New Park on Summerfest Grounds

New park replaces the Children's Theater and Playzone.

Milwaukee World Festival to Hold Job Fair on June 26 Hiring Over 2,000 Seasonal Workers

Invites Prospective Employees to Join for Historic Season

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Announces Return of Summerfest Tech

OnMilwaukee and Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Announce New Event – MKE Food Truck Fest – July 24, 2021

Drive-Thru Vaccination Clinic at Summerfest

Summerfest 2021 Headliners Announced

New Generac Power Stage Set for August Debut at Henry Maier Festival Park

Summerfest Moving to September for 2021

Another June festival announces delay.

Summerfest 2021 Moves to September

Festival will be held September 2 – 4, 9 – 11 and 16 – 18, 2021

Summerfest Trades Harley-Davidson for Generac

Generator manufacturer will sponsor stage on festival grounds.

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. and Generac Power Systems Announce Partnership

New Generac Power Stage Will Enrich the Festival Concert Experience

2020-2021 Let The Music Play Grant Application Open

Grants to support youth music programs including hybrid or virtual education

Northwestern Mutual Dedicates More Than $3 Million to Strengthen Milwaukee Cultural Attractions

Company supports seven destinations, including redevelopment project at Henry Maier Festival Park

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Announces Redevelopment of Northwestern Mutual Children’s Theater & Playzone as Community Park

Park to feature one of the most accessible playgrounds in Wisconsin

Summerfest Fans Invited to Give Back – Donation Drive-Up Benefiting Hunger Task Force and Next Door

Public Encouraged to Donate and Receive Summerfest 2021 Ticket

Summerfest Announces New Format and 2021 Dates

More Weekends – More National Talent June 24–26, July 1–3 and July 8–10

Summerfest Canceled

Due to the pandemic, for the first time in the festival's history it is canceled

Cousins Subs, Summerfest and Disrupt Idea Co. Launch Campaign to Feed Aurora Health Care Frontline Workers Public Encouraged to Pay It Forward

Don Smiley, President and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc and Christine Specht, CEO of Cousins Subs, along with her husband John Palmert, Director of Franchise Sales at Cousins Subs, Making Personal Donations to Kick Start the Campaign

Statement from Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.

Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee Announces Henry Maier Festival Park as Site of Official Convention Delegate Welcome Party

Event will introduce several thousand delegates to all Milwaukee has to offer and kick off convention week activities

Summerfest Tech to Expand

Two-Day Event to Showcase Tech Leaders and Industry-Led Programming

Summerfest Flush With Cash

Festival has $47 million net fund balance. Aldermen say it can afford to pay for police services.

Summerfest Marketplace Officially Opens at MKE

New store features Wisconsin apparel, accessories, décor, and Summerfest merchandise.

Summerfest Pays No Net Rent

Charges ethnic festivals more rent than it pays city, like “a greedy landlord,” alderman charges.

Summerfest Got $48 Million in Gifts

Total donations from 2010 to 2018 helped pay for CEO Don Smiley’s "caviar lifestyle"?

Should Summerfest Pay Higher Rent?

Harbor House pays at least 7 times more than Summerfest per acre of lakefront land.

Journal Sentinel’s Huge Mistake

Newspaper vastly inflates growth of Summerfest CEO Don Smiley’s compensation.

Summerfest CEO Awarded $2.33 Million

Don Smiley’s 2017 pay package includes $1.3 million deferred from prior years. City officials “shocked.”

Summerfest 2019 Makes Me Smile!

Festival hosts diverse and innovative line-up, grows Summerfest Tech, and provides world-class experience

Summerfest Thanks Community with BIG WIN Promotion

Featuring Chance to win $20,000 and Prizes from Festival Sponsors. Plus - 30,000 FREE Summerfest 2020 Tickets will be Distributed

Summerfest Tech 2019 Announces Marcus Lemonis, Star of CNBC’s The Profit, as 5 LAKES Pitch Final Guest Judge

Marcus Lemonis is one of the preeminent entrepreneurs of his generation.

Megadeth Concert on July 4th Canceled Due to Health Issues

Refunds are available from the original point of purchase.

Summerfest Unveils Foods, Beverages, and Merchandise Line for 2019 Festival

Summerfest is rolling out its lineup of new foods and beverages alongside returning favorites.

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. and Zurn Industries Announce New Multi-Year Sponsorship

Includes Designation as Official Water Solutions Partner

Summerfest Tech Opens Applications for Inaugural 5 LAKES PITCH COMPETITION

$10k + In-Kind Prizes for Early-Stage Companies

Summerfest Tech 2019 Event Details Released

Second Year Event Grows to Two Days

Summerfest 2019 Headliner Lineup Revealed

Over 100 Headlining Artists Announced

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Hiring Over 2,000 Seasonal Workers

There are a variety of positions available to match every skill set.

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Adds Two Events to Festival Calendar

"We are thrilled that Swarmm Events has decided to present Milwaukee Taco Fest and Big BBQ Fest at Henry Maier Festival Park."

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Reaches New Heights

American Family Insurance Amphitheater roof raised 26 feet

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. and Uline Reveal New Stage Details

The new stage will incorporate natural materials including locally-sourced lannon stone and cedar to integrate into the area’s lake-side setting.

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Unveils Renderings and Amenities for New American Family Insurance Amphitheater

The $50 million project is poised to transform the venue for the next generation of music fans.

Let The Music Play Grant Program Accepting Online Applications

The Let The Music Play grant program is open to non-profit organizations and schools that serve Milwaukee County through music based programming for students aged 11 - 18.

Celebrate Labor Day Weekend at the Lakefront with Bikes, Music & 3rd Annual Big Gig BBQ

$5,000 Prize to be Given Away During Big Gig BBQ

Summerfest 2018 Results

Despite three days of excessive heat warnings over 100 degrees and two days with rain, attendance was reported at 766,192.

Summerfest Wraps Up with a BIG WIN for Fans

Featuring 30,000 FREE Summerfest 2019 Ticket Giveaway and Prize Drawing

Contribution to José G. Pérez of $150

Summerfest Kicks Off Opening Day by Giving Away 25,000 Tickets

Fans visiting Henry Maier Festival Park who approach a participating staff member will receive one weekday admission ticket, while supplies last.

VISIT Milwaukee Names 2018-2019 Officers and Board of Directors

Board Directors volunteer their time to assist in providing overall strategic direction to VISIT Milwaukee and by advocating its mission to the community.

Summerfest Continues Streaming Collaboration with ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!

New program includes headlining performances as well as meet & greet opportunities

Milwaukee World Festival Inc. Officially Opens New North Gate and Community Plaza

Announcement of “Let The Music Play” Grant Program

Updated Security Policy in Effect for Summerfest 2018

NO BACKPACKS OF ANY SIZE are allowed inside Henry Maier Festival Park.

U.S. Cellular Launches New Stage with Free Concert Featuring Diplo on June 22

#StageWarming community concert is first event

Summerfest Reveals New Foods, Beverages, and Merchandise Line for 2018 Festival

Summerfest is rolling out its lineup of new foods and beverages alongside returning favorites.

Throwback Thursday Returns to Summerfest on June 28th

Presented by Pick ‘n Save

Contribution to Ashanti Hamilton of $200

Summerfest 2018 Headliner Lineup Revealed

Over 100 Headlining Artists Announced

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. and Klement’s Sausage Company Announce New Ten Year Sponsorship

Includes New Stage Area and Designation as Official Sausage of Summerfest

Contribution to Ashanti Hamilton of $250

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $500

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $250

Contribution to Ashanti Hamilton of $200

Contribution to Robert Bauman of $250