Experience Downtown Blog

#MKEitShine recognizes cultural groups affected by COVID-19 cancellations with citywide lighting

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As a symbol of diversity and inclusion, citywide lighting recognizes cultural groups affected by COVID-19-related festival cancellations, starting with Pride Fest on June 1 

Buildings throughout downtown Milwaukee will recognize cultural groups whose annual festivals have been canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis with the #MKEitShine campaign. Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 is encouraging buildings and landmarks to illuminate their facades with colors representing each cultural festival during its originally scheduled festival dates. Patriotic colors will be encouraged citywide to welcome visitors during the rescheduled dates of the Democratic National Convention.     

Beginning this evening, 600 EAST Wisconsin, 833 East Michigan, CelticMKE Building, Discovery World, Fiserv Forum, Gas Light Building, Hyatt Place Milwaukee Downtown, Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, Lakefront Brewery, MGIC, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee County Historical Society, Milwaukee County Parks Mitchell Park Domes, Milwaukee War Memorial Center, Northwestern Mutual, The Pfister Hotel, Schlitz Park (#MilwaukeeFamous sign), SpringHill Suites by Marriott (when reopened) and U.S. Bank Center will be lit in a rainbow of colors to salute PrideFest. As the campaign progresses, participation in future weeks will fluctuate.

Citywide lighting encouraged on the following days:

• PrideFest: June 1 – 7 (colors: rainbow)
• Polish Fest: June 12 – 14 (colors: red and white)
• 3rd of July Fireworks: July 3 – 5 (colors: red, white and blue)
• Bastille Days: July 9 – 12 (colors: red, white and blue)
• Festa Italiana: July 17 – 19 (colors: green, white and red)
• German Fest: July 24 – 26 (colors: black, red and gold)
• Black Arts Festival: Aug. 1 (colors: blue, red, yellow and green)
• Democratic National Convention: Aug. 10 – 20 (colors: red, white and blue)
• Mexican Fiesta: Aug. 21 – 23 (colors: green, white and red)
• Irish Fest: Aug. 28 – 30 (colors: green, white and orange. Note original dates for Irish Fest: Aug. 13 - 16)

Thank you to our participating properties: 

• 600 EAST Wisconsin
• 833 East Michigan
• CelticMKE Building 
• Discovery World
• Fiserv Forum            
• Gas Light Building
• Hyatt Place Milwaukee Downtown
• Hyatt Regency Milwaukee
• Lakefront Brewery
• MGIC
• Milwaukee Art Museum
• Milwaukee County Historical Society
• Milwaukee County Parks Mitchell Park Domes (will only be lit on Saturdays and Sundays)           
• Milwaukee War Memorial Center 
• Northwestern Mutual
• The Pfister Hotel
• Schlitz Park (#MilwaukeeFamous sign)
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott (when reopened)
• U.S. Bank Center

Photography by Nate Vomhof