The show will go on! After news broke in February that the Downtown fireworks hosted annually on July 3 were in danger of fizzling out, the Milwaukee Brewers and several partners – including philanthropist Ted Kellner's T&M Partners and American Family Insurance – announced today that they have joined forces to fund the popular lakefront show.
The official announcement – featuring reigning NL MVP Christian Yelich and representatives from the Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee County, American Family Insurance and T&M Partners – took place Saturday afternoon at the Johnsonville Party Deck at Miller Park.
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele said "The Brewers and Christian Yelich have had a hot start to the season and this partnership is definitely another home run for Milwaukee. I’m thankful for the partners who came together to help make this happen and we can all look forward to another amazing fireworks display at the lakefront this summer."
Guy Smith, Executive Director of Milwaukee County Parks, said "Hundreds of thousands of people flock to Veterans Park each year to watch the display, and it’s become a tradition for many families in the area.
"When we heard in 2018 that US Bank was no longer going to organize the event, we decided to spearhead the search for new supporters, so we’re really excited that this summer we are able to partner with not just one, but several fantastic Milwaukee businesses, who have come together to continue this great Milwaukee tradition."
News of the new partnership to save the fireworks show was first reported on Twitter by TMJ4's Lance Allan.
Milwaukee’s July 3rd fireworks show at Veterans Park is on. Sources tell me the @Brewers along with philanthropist Ted Kellner & @amfam American Family are among the supporters that will help continue the fireworks. Press conference is scheduled tomorrow Miller Park #Brewers pic.twitter.com/QdKqirexw0 — Lance Allan (@lanceallan) April 5, 2019
A Downtown mainstay for 40 years, the fireworks show announced in February that it was at risk of cancellation after U.S. Bank stepped away as the major backer and name sponsor for the event after 2018 and, a year later, no new local businesses had stepped into its place. The show costs $350,000 to put on each year.
As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.
When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.
