Milwaukee Night Market returns for a full season in 2022, first Market to be held on June 15

Source: Westown Association

The Milwaukee Night Market returns to the heart of downtown Milwaukee for four nights this summer on June 15, July 13, August 17 and September 21. Produced by Westown Association, the free, outdoor event showcases a variety of vendors, performers and artists, transforming West Wisconsin Avenue into an exciting fusion of all the city has to offer. The Market is held from 5 to 10 p.m. on West Wisconsin Avenue between 2^nd Street and Vel R. Phillips Avenue.

In 2021, Westown Association acquired the Night Market brand from NEWaukee, a local engagement agency, who had produced the event since 2014. After the Market’s cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Westown Association assumed production of the event and hosted a single Market on August 18. The 2021 Milwaukee Night Market attracted over 25,000 attendees to the neighborhood and featured over 100 diverse vendors offering delicious cuisine, handcrafted jewelry, locally grown produce and more.

“We are excited for the return of the Milwaukee Night Market and look forward to hosting a full season this summer,” said Stacie Callies, Executive Director of Westown Association. “In 2021, we saw the Night Market provide a unique opportunity to gather on West Wisconsin Avenue as many visitors and employees returned downtown after months away. Now in 2022, we get to recreate that environment four different times, making it the best summer event in the city for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to experience Milwaukee.”

Westown is currently seeking vendors to participate in the Milwaukee Night Market. Applications can be found at mkenightmarket.com. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 18; selected vendors will be notified in early April. American Family Insurance is returning for the second year, sponsoring vendor fees for ten BIPOC entrepreneurs at each of the four markets by selecting an array of vendors that feature ethnic diversity and gender parity. American Family will also work with the selected entrepreneurs to create storytelling opportunities to help raise awareness of their small businesses and increase customer reach.

“American Family Insurance is excited to return as a sponsor for the 2022 Milwaukee Night Market and support 10 local entrepreneurs of color,” said Ranell Washington, American Family Insurance community and social impact advisor. “Economic empowerment is one of the goals of our Free to Dream initiative where we’re investing $105 million over five years to help close equity gaps and create meaningful impact in communities. Small businesses, especially diverse businesses, are the economic engine of our country and we want to support these bold entrepreneurs in a variety of ways.”

Community partners including GRAEF, Gruber Law Offices, Miller Lite and We Energies Foundation are also sponsors of the 2022 Milwaukee Night Market. Additional signature sponsors and new partnerships will be announced at a later date. To inquire about 2022 Night Market sponsorship opportunities, contact Stacie Callies at stacie@westown.org. Westown Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations are tax-deductible. You can view highlights from the 2021 Night Market at mkenightmarket.com/media.

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Westown Association media contact:
Stacy Callies
Office: 414-276-6696
Cell: 414-531-0685
stacie@westown.org
www.westown.org
www.mkenightmarket.com

About American Family Insurance group
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 232 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, The General, Homesite and Main Street America Insurance. Across these companies the group has more than 13,500 employees nationwide.

Westown Association is a non-profit business association focused on championing the economic and social development of Milwaukee’s central business district west of the Milwaukee River. This is accomplished through special event marketing, business advocacy, growth initiatives and public/private partnerships that improve the quality of life and vitality of the district. For more information, please visit westown.org.