By Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer Published May 15, 2024 at 12:01 PM

Northwestern Mutual Community Park (aka the Summerfest kids area) located on the 75-acre Henry Maier Festival Park grounds – which re-opened for the season in March – will host four free Sunday Family Fun Days.

The events are scheduled for June 9 (Summerfest theme); July 7 (Family Health and Wellness); Aug. 4 (STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics); and Sept. 22 (Performing Arts).

The themed events will take place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and include family friendly programming, interactive activities and roaming entertainers, plus food and drink options from vendors like Bobalou Stuffed Gourmet Pretzels, Fazio’s Popcorn Wagon, Little Sweetie’s Treat Wagon, Pete Pops, Sil’s Mini Donuts and Streetza Pizza.

There will also be live performances from groups including Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Ballet, hi, Tech and Boys & Girls Clubs.

“We have been thrilled with the community’s response to Sunday Family Fun Days, which offer FREE enhanced activities at the Northwestern Mutual Community Park,” said Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.  President and CEO Sarah Pancheri.

“Our hope is that families from across our community enjoy the local arts and entertainment available through these special events.”

The park is accessible from 10 a.m. until dusk daily – depending on the weather – and during special events during the festival season including the Big Gig, the lakefront ethnic and cultural festivals, and other events.  

“We are proud to offer an accessible and inclusive playground at the Northwestern Mutual Community Park,” said Steve Radke, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation.

“Our partnership with Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. and its Sunday Family Fun Days furthers our commitment to our hometown of Milwaukee, which serves as a cultural destination for thousands of families and visitors each year.”

You can see more photos and get a detailed description of the park  – which has inclusive and accessible play facilities for children ages 2 to 12 – in this article.

Pets are not allowed. Free parking, except during special events, is available in Lot G, south of the Mid-Gate entrance.

Complete Community Park info and Family Fun schedules are at milwaukeeworldfestival.com/find-events/northwestern-mutual-community-park.

Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.

He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.

With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.

He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.

In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.

He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.