South Milwaukee Fall Festival

The South Milwaukee Downtown Market is ending its successful third season with a celebration of autumn – and family fun.

The Fall Family Festival returns on Thursday, Oct. 13, at the South Milwaukee farmers’ market, located at 11th and Milwaukee Avenues. Hours are 3 to 7 p.m.

Besides the usual lineup of market vendors, the event will feature children’s activities like pumpkin carving and apple bobbing – all creatively using products from the market. A tamale eating contest sponsored by Lopez Bakery is also planned for 5 p.m.

Volunteers from St. Thomas More High School will help run the event.

“We’re proud to bring events like the Fall Festival to the market,” said Jim Shelenske, South Milwaukee’s city clerk and market co-founder. “The market is truly family-friendly, and the Fall Festival is designed with families in mind." 

The Fall Festival brings the third season of the Downtown Market to a close. The market took off in 2011, as more than 60 vendors regularly set up at the event selling produce, organics, baked goods, prepared food, arts and crafts. The market has also featured weekly live music on its new stage, including a series of five jazz-themed concerts presented by the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. Family-friendly outdoor movies were also held following three markets in August.

“We’ve had a great 2011, and the market has truly become a community gathering spot, a place for residents from all around the area to come every week and enjoy a night out,” said South Milwaukee Alderman Erik Brooks, co-founder of the market. “That’s a critical part of our mission – to draw people to downtown South Milwaukee.”