For 10 years, Milwaukee's Downtown has come alive with a huge lighting ceremony. From the beginning, OnMilwaukee.com has been proud to be involved as a sponsor. Our pride continues this Thursday as Milwaukee Downtown welcomes you to Pere Marquette Park beginning at 5:30 p.m.
This switch-flipping ceremony comes packed with another spectacular fireworks show, dancers, singers and the funky fire and ice duo -- Fear No Ice. Free hot cocoa, coffee and cookies will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m. (while supplies last).
Before the fun at Pere Marquette, you can hear traditional and contemporary carols by the Milwaukee Children's Choir at 4:30 p.m. at Red Arrow Park. Then join emcee John McGivern and city and county officials in lighting the city / county Christmas tree.
The actual Holiday Lights show starts at 6 p.m. The Squeezettes are booked, as is Castle of Arts, Danceworks and Santa, of course. Last year, former Milwaukee Buck Yi Jianlian flipped the official switch. No word on who is tabbed for this year. Regardless of who flips the switch, this has become a huge Downtown event.
The community's Christmas and holiday season kick-off continues on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. with the 82nd annual Milwaukee Holiday Parade.
Featuring more than 100 units of entertainment, including lavish floats, huge character balloons, high school bands and recognizable local talent.
By bringing a non-perishable food donation, parade-goers can help to bring hope and thanksgiving to our neighbors in need.
The Milwaukee Holiday Parade, which has been produced by the DeGrace family for 55 years, begins at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of Kilbourn and Prospect Avenues. The parade continues west on Kilbourn, heads north on Water Street, turns west on State Street to Old World 3rd Street, and then goes south on 3rd to end in front of the Shops at Grand Avenue.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
