South Shore Water Frolics
Encyclopedia
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
. It features a parade, live music and fireworks at the lakefront.
The event, along with Summerfest
Summerfest
Summerfest is a yearly music festival held at the Henry Maier Festival Park along the lakefront in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. The festival lasts for 11 days, is made up of 11 stages with performances from over 700 bands, and since the mid-1970s has run from late June through early July, usually...
and the many ethnic and cultural festivals held throughout the city, is what gives Milwaukee the nickname "City of Festivals."
Description
Celebrating its 60th year in 2009, the South Shore Frolics is one of the oldest festivals in Milwaukee. Originally known as the South Shore Water Frolic, it is currently sponsored by the Bay View Lions ClubLions Clubs International
Lions Clubs International is a secular service organization with over 44,500 clubs and more than 1,368,683 members in 191 countries around the world founded by Melvin Jones Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States, the organization aims to meet the needs of communities on a local and...
, which provides a stage and music near the South Shore Yacht Club.
The event is kicked-off with a parade that runs through the heart of the Bay View business district: along Kinnickinnic Avenue from Lincoln Avenue south to Estes, then east to the park. The parade includes classic cars, local dignitaries, floats sponsored by local businesses, and competitions between local high school sports teams, cheerleaders, bands, and organizations. At the park venues are staged such as the annual Classic Car Show and the South Shore Festival of the Arts presented by the Bay View Arts Guild.
Rounding off each night is the festival's signature Atomic Fireworks display put on by Bartolotta Fireworks; and with the crowds' cries of "Blow-up the beach!", the evening culminates in a percussive onslaught of shells.