Author: Lee Matz

Tens of Thousands of Harley-Davidson motorcycles thundered down Wisconsin Avenue on September 2, cheered along by gauntlets of energized spectators, in a nearly 4 mile parade that celebrated 115 years of the company’s mechanized horsepower. The parade kicked off from 45th Street and traveled through the heart of downtown to Veterans Park along Milwaukee’s Lakeshore. The event marked the end of the five day celebration that honored Harley-Davidson’s 115th anniversary. An estimated 6,500 riders from around the world participated in the procession, waving their hometown flags. The colorful displays showed the international impact that Harley-Davidson continues to enjoy. The...

As part of the Brady Street Experience announced by Alderman Nik Kovac, the iconic neighborhood thoroughfare was closed to car traffic from August 31 to September 1 to allow for “Bike-Only” parking in celebration of Harley-Davidson’s 115th Anniversary. From Van Buren Street to Farwell Avenue, along both sides of Brady Street, hundreds of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were parked engine to engine. Organized by the Brady Street Business Improvement District (BID #11), the event and entertainment was specifically geared to riding enthusiasts. Block parties began at mid-day on August 31, and continued up to the doorstep of Labor Day. The eight-block...

Of all the bike images that come to mind with the name of Harley-Davidson, a stunt bike is not usually one of them. That stunt title fits better with the smaller Japanese sports bikes that can be stripped down easily, not the big touring cycles with their size and weight. But for Cole Freeman of the Ill Conduct Stunt Team, his passion for Harley-Davidson has literally driven him to break records using the Milwaukee-built machines. From wheelies, to stoppies, and all sorts of gravity-defying maneuvers, Cole and his team entertained international crowds at the Harley-Davidson Museum during its 115th...

The AlleyWayz live performance series of acoustic concerts took place over the summer in the Black Cat Alley District of Milwaukee’s East Side, showcasing five emerging Milwaukee musicians in partnership with five muralists. The format presented an intimate venue with engaging performances, attended by hundreds of local residents and an online audience. The series came together as a collaboration of creatives from across the city, organized by Aaron Davis, experience designer with BLK SHP; Enrique Rodriguez, founder of Magic Studios; and Stacey Williams-Ng, program director of Black Cat Alley. “This was exactly the kind of thing we hoped would...

Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee’s much anticipated sports and entertainment venue, officially opened its doors to the public on August 26 after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the plaza outside of the world-class downtown arena. As part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, former Bucks owner Senator Herb Kohl was honored with the street naming dedication of Herb Kohl Way, for the section of 4th Street that passed in front of the Arena. In addition, the world’s largest welcome mat, measuring 92-feet long by 24-feet wide, was unveiled outside of Fiserv Forum to welcome the community into its new home. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was...