Hoancoming Returns on September 18 Under New Leadership

Milwaukee – (August 13, 2025) – For the third straight year, Hoancoming, Milwaukee’s end-of-summer celebration, will take place on the Milwaukee River on Thursday, September 18, celebrating Milwaukee’s unique communities, vibrant waterways, and beloved festival culture.

This year’s event will be produced under new leadership from the Hoan Group, an independent, membership-based organization dedicated to connecting regional leaders from across the Milwaukee, Madison, and Greater Green Bay areas in order to continue moving Wisconsin forward.

Originally launched by Light the Hoan to support lighting the east side of the Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge—a goal successfully achieved in June 2025—Hoancoming has evolved into a free, end-of-summer celebration of civic pride, community, and connection, featuring new ways to give back.

“Light the Hoan is proud to have created the Hoancoming event,” says Erika Smith, Executive Director of Light the Hoan. “The Board of Directors and I believe the event will reach new heights under the leadership of the Hoan Group and we’re excited that the Hoan Bridge will continue to shine brightly as a major part of the celebration.”

“So many people came out to enjoy last year’s festival, and it played a massive role in raising funds and awareness for the lighting of the east side of the Hoan Bridge,” says Ian Abston, Vice President of the Board for Light the Hoan, Founder of the Hoan Group and co-chair of this year’s Hoancoming event. “2025 is all about saying ‘thank you’ to the community and giving everyone one last chance to celebrate and give back before the end of another amazing Milwaukee summer.”

Hoancoming will feature live music, a boat parade, and a drone and light show synced to the lights on the Hoan Bridge that will be visible from both water and land. Boaters can enjoy the event from the confluence of the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan, near the Hoan Bridge. Those attending on land can join in on the celebration from the adjacent Riverwalk or from general viewing areas at locations such as Boone & Crockett, The Cooperage, Milwaukee’s Pierhead Lighthouse, and more.

This year’s presenting sponsors include Gateway Capital and Zizzo Group Engagement Marketing as they partner with the Hoan Group in support of this year’s beneficiary, the MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer).

“At Gateway Capital, we believe in investing in what moves Milwaukee forward—and that includes celebrating the spirit, resilience, and innovation of our people,” said Dana Guthrie, Managing Partner of Gateway Capital and co-chair of Hoancoming. “Hoancoming is a reflection of the pride we all share in our city and a reminder of what’s possible when community comes together.”

“Hoancoming is Milwaukee’s one-of-a-kind celebration of our iconic Hoan Bridge. With the boat parade and drone show, it’s the perfect summer send-off,” said Anne Zizzo, Founder and CEO of Zizzo Group Engagement Marketing and co-chair of Hoancoming for a second year. “Zizzo Group is honored to support this event – it keeps growing every year because of the special way it brings businesses and people together on our amazing Milwaukee River.”

“The MACC Fund is deeply honored and grateful to be this year’s Hoancoming beneficiary,” said Autumn Gentry, Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement for the MACC Fund. “This celebration is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together. With the Hoan Group’s support, we’re able to amplify our mission and shine a brighter light on the urgent need for life-saving research in childhood cancer and related blood disorders. A cure is only possible when we stand united in hope and action.”

Additional details about the Hoancoming event can be found online at hoancoming.com.

Local and regional businesses interested in sponsorship or volunteer opportunities are encouraged to contact the Hoan Group at contact@hoangroup.com.

ABOUT LIGHT THE HOAN – Light the Hoan is a Milwaukee nonprofit dedicated to illuminating the Daniel W. Hoan Memorial Bridge as a nightly symbol of community pride and connection. The organization brings Milwaukeeans together through sponsorships, bulb dedications, and creative programming that let individuals, nonprofits, and businesses shine their stories across Milwaukee’s skyline. To learn more visit www.lightthehoan.com.

ABOUT THE HOAN GROUP – The Hoan Group is an independent, membership-based organization that connects dedicated leaders through unique experiences and a shared passion for moving our region forward. While the organization has historically operated outside of the public eye, its members have been spearheading initiatives that have contributed to Wisconsin’s growth since 2016. Taking its name from Milwaukee’s iconic Hoan Bridge, the organization shares that same spirit—connecting leaders across Milwaukee, Madison, and Greater Green Bay to meet, learn, and grow together. To learn more visit www.hoangroup.com.

ABOUT GATEWAY CAPITAL – Gateway Capital is a Milwaukee-based venture capital firm that invests early in high-growth potential startups in the Midwest—particularly in overlooked or underestimated geographies and communities where others may hesitate. Focused on pre-seed and seed-stage startups, Gateway delivers both financial and social returns, with firm belief that the two are not mutually exclusive. Led by Managing Partner Dana Guthrie, Gateway aims to expedite the challenging early stages of commercialization, product market fit discovery, and ultimately, investor realized returns.. To learn more visit www.gwaycapital.com.

ABOUT ZIZZO GROUP ENGAGEMENT MARKETING – Zizzo Group (ZG) is the region’s first engagement marketing agency. For over 30 years, ZG has helped companies create two-way, authentic and measurable communications with their internal and external audiences. ZG counsels a wide range of business-to-business and consumer clients throughout the United States such as Milwaukee Brewers, Summerfest, Network Health, Muk Luks, Educator’s Credit Union, George Webb and more. A future 50 company and a top 10 Milwaukee-area engagement marketing firm, ZG works with many leading brands. ZG has been recognized as one of Milwaukee’s “Best Places to Work” by The Milwaukee Business Journal and Milwaukee Magazine, and as having one of “Milwaukee’s Coolest Offices” by The Milwaukee Business Journal. For more information, visit www.zizzogroup.com.

ABOUT MACC FUND – The MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer) is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1976 on the Milwaukee Bucks’ court. Its mission is to fight childhood cancer and related blood disorders by funding critical research. Since its inception, the organization has contributed over $87 million to support groundbreaking Wisconsin-based research, helping keep clinical trials and innovative treatments close to home. To learn more visit www.maccfund.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.