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Coordinates: 43°01′41″N 87°53′56″W / 43.02806°N 87.89889°W / 43.02806; -87.89889
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{{Short description|Location in Milwaukee, Wisconsin}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Henry Maier Festival Park
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| logo =
| logo_size =
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption =
| image = Summerfest Grounds May 2021.jpg
| image_size = 250
| image_alt = <!-- or |alt= -->
| image_caption = <!-- or |caption= -->
| map_type =
| map_alt =
| map_dot_mark =
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| map_size =
⚫
| coordinates = {{coord|43|01|41|N|87|53|56|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| former_names =
| alternate_names = Summerfest Grounds
| status =
| building_type =
| architectural_style =
| classification =
| location =
| address = 200 North Harbor Drive<br/>[[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]]
| namesake = [[Henry Maier]]
| groundbreaking_date =
| opened_date = 1970
| inauguration_date =
| renovation_date =
| closing_date =
| demolition_date = <!-- or |destruction_date= -->
| cost =
| ren_cost =
| client = Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.
| owner = City of Milwaukee
| grounds_area =
| architect =
| architecture_firm =
| developer =
| engineer =
| main_contractor =
| awards =
| designations =
| known_for = [[Summerfest]]
| parking = Yes
| public_transit = {{Bus icon}} [[Milwaukee County Transit System|MCTS]]
| website = {{URL|milwaukeeworldfestival.com}}
| references =
| footnotes =
}}
[[Image:Summerfest Pabst Showcase 1994.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Pabst Showcase located on the Henry W. Maier Festival Grounds during the 1994 Summerfest, with Downtown [[Milwaukee]] and [[Interstate 794]] in the background.]]
[[Image:Summerfest Pabst Showcase 1994.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Pabst Showcase located on the Henry W. Maier Festival Grounds during the 1994 Summerfest, with Downtown [[Milwaukee]] and [[Interstate 794]] in the background.]]
'''Henry Maier Festival Park''' (also known as the '''Henry Maier Festival Grounds''' or the '''Summerfest Grounds''') is a festival park located in [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]]. The Park is named for [[Henry Maier]], Milwaukee's longest-serving mayor.
'''Henry Maier Festival Park''' is a 75-acre festival park located in [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]] on the shore [[Lake Michigan]] and is the site of the annual [[Summerfest]] musical festival and the home of the [[American Family Insurance Amphitheater]].


==Before Summerfest==
== History ==
⚫
=== Before Summerfest ===

In 1927 Maitland Airport was opened. It was one of the city's first airstrips. The airport remained in operation for more than 20 years before it was replaced by a [[Nike missile]] installation, established during the height of '50s [[Cold War]] tensions. The site was one of eight in the Greater Milwaukee area and hosted both the [[MIM-3 Nike Ajax|Nike Ajax]] and nuclear-capable [[MIM-14 Nike Hercules|Nike Hercules]] missiles as a means of last resort against a possible attack by the Soviet Union. The military installation, along with a radar station at Lake Park, remained in use until 1969 when the Army closed them in an effort to reduce costs.
In 1927 Maitland Airport (also the Milwaukee seaplane port) was opened. It was one of the city's first airstrips. The airport remained in operation for more than 20 years before it was replaced by a [[Nike missile]] installation, established during the height of 1950s [[Cold War]] tensions. The site was one of eight in the Greater Milwaukee area and hosted both the [[MIM-3 Nike Ajax|Nike Ajax]] and nuclear-capable [[MIM-14 Nike Hercules|Nike Hercules]] missiles as a means of last resort against a possible attack by the Soviet Union. The military installation, along with a radar station at Lake Park, remained in use until 1969 when the Army closed them in an effort to reduce costs.


The land was then sold to the city and became a top possible destination by Summerfest's early leaders, who worried for the fest's future after bad weather caused a poor turnout in its second year. Organizers believed that a centralized location was crucial, and the lakefront site appeared ideal.
The land was then sold to the city and became a top possible destination by Summerfest's early leaders, who worried for the fest's future after bad weather caused a poor turnout in its second year. Organizers believed that a centralized location was crucial, and the lakefront site appeared ideal.


In 1970, the Harbor Commission, which took ownership of the land from the Army, constructed a deal and began leasing the site to Summerfest for one dollar a year. The recently formed Summerfest quickly set up makeshift offices from the remaining barracks and the control building.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/festivals/articles/summerfestgroundshistory.html|title=Summerfest 50: Maier Festival Park grounds have a long history|date=2017-06-15|work=OnMilwaukee.com|access-date=2019-06-21|language=en}}</ref>
In 1970, the Harbor Commission, which took ownership of the land from the Army, constructed a deal and began leasing the site to Summerfest for one dollar a year. The recently formed Summerfest quickly set up makeshift offices from the remaining barracks and the control building.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/festivals/articles/summerfestgroundshistory.html|title=Summerfest 50: Maier Festival Park grounds have a long history|date=2017-07-03|work=OnMilwaukee.com|access-date=2020-02-19|url-status=live|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615163553/https://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/festivals/articles/summerfestgroundshistory.html|archive-date=2017-06-15}}</ref>

⚫
==Summerfest==


=== Summerfest ===
The history of the Henry Maier Festival Park starts with [[Summerfest]] in 1968. The music festival was created that year, and found some success, being held in 35 different locations. The next year, however, was inundated with horrific weather, forcing cancellation of the last day and ensuring financial losses for that year. In 1970 a central location was decided upon: an abandoned strip of land along the lakefront in the downtown area, which was the former Maitland Airport and served as a Nike missile site during the Cold War.
The history of the Henry Maier Festival Park starts with [[Summerfest]] in 1968. The music festival was created that year, and found some success, being held in 35 different locations. The next year, however, was inundated with horrific weather, forcing cancellation of the last day and ensuring financial losses for that year. In 1970 a central location was decided upon: an abandoned strip of land along the lakefront in the downtown area, which was the former Maitland Airport and served as a Nike missile site during the Cold War.


The early Summerfest Grounds consisted of little more than concrete blocks with wooden slabs placed on top to serve as stages, in the middle of a grassy, muddy field. Despite this, the central location was key to the festival's success, ensuring the existence and expansion of the grounds. Construction continued through the 1970s and 1980s, with the highlight of the creation of the [[Marcus Amphitheater]], a 23,000 seat partially covered venue, in 1987.
The early Summerfest Grounds consisted of little more than concrete blocks with wooden slabs placed on top to serve as stages, in the middle of a grassy, muddy field. Despite this, the central location was key to the festival's success, ensuring the existence and expansion of the grounds. Construction continued through the 1970s and 1980s, with the highlight of the creation of the [[Marcus Amphitheater]], a 23,000 seat partially covered venue, in 1987.


==Other festivals==
== Festivals ==
[[Image:HenryMaierFestivalPark MidGate.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Mid Gate of the Henry Maier Festival Park, during [[Milwaukee Irish Fest]] 2005.]]
[[Image:HenryMaierFestivalPark MidGate.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Mid Gate of the Henry Maier Festival Park, during [[Milwaukee Irish Fest]] 2005.]]
Various ethnic and cultural festivals came to be held at the festival park beginning in the 1980s, as well as several run/walks for charity events.
Various ethnic and cultural festivals came to be held at the festival park beginning in the 1980s, as well as several run/walks for charity events.


*African World Festival <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.africanworldfestival.com/|title=africanworldfestival.com - This website is for sale! - african music Resources and Information.|website=www.africanworldfestival.com|access-date=2019-12-03}}</ref>
*African World Festival <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.africanworldfestival.com/intro.html|title=2005 African World Festival|website=African World Festival|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129060949/http://www.africanworldfestival.com/intro.html|archive-date=2008-01-29}}</ref>
*Arab World Fest<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.arabworldfest.com/|title=Welcome|website=Arab World Fest|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref>
*Arab World Fest<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.arabworldfest.com/|title=Welcome|website=Arab World Fest|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610134849/http://www.arabworldfest.com/|archive-date=2019-06-10|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Asian Moon Festival<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asianmoonfestival.com/|title=asianmoonfestival.com - Informationen zum Thema asianmoonfestival.|website=www.asianmoonfestival.com|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref>
*Asian Moon Festival<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asianmoonfestival.com/|title=Welcome to Asian Moon Festival|date=2006-06-11|website=www.asianmoonfestival.com|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714153347/http://www.asianmoonfestival.com/|archive-date=2008-07-14}}</ref>
*[[Festa Italiana]]
*[[Festa Italiana]]
*[[German Fest]]
*[[German Fest]]
*Indian Summer Festival<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiansummer.org/|title=Indian Summer Festival|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref>
*Indian Summer Festival<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiansummer.org/|title=Indian Summer Festival|website=Indian Summer Festival|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517204149/http://www.indiansummer.org/|archive-date=2019-05-17|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref>
*[[Milwaukee Irish Fest|Irish Fest]]
*[[Milwaukee Irish Fest|Irish Fest]]
*Labor Fest
*Labor Fest
*Mexican Fiesta<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mexicanfiesta.org/|title=Home|last=admin|website=WHSF/Mexican Fiesta|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref>
*Mexican Fiesta<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mexicanfiesta.org/|title=WHSF/Mexican Fiesta|website=WHSF/Mexican Fiesta|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621112021/https://www.mexicanfiesta.org/|archive-date=2019-06-21|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref>
*[[Polish Fest]]
*[[Polish Fest]]
*[[PrideFest (Milwaukee)|PrideFest]]
*[[PrideFest (Milwaukee)|PrideFest]]


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Parks of Milwaukee]]
* [[Summerfest]]
* [[American Family Insurance Amphitheater]]
* [[Lakeshore State Park]], located directly across a lagoon to the east
* [[Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon]]


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://milwaukeeworldfestival.com Official website]
⚫
{{Coord|43|01|41|N|87|53|56|W|format=dms|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:US-WI}}
*[http://milwaukeeworldfestival.com/calendar-of-events Henry Maier Festival Park Calendar of Events]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051207134523/http://summerfest.com/aboutus/history.htm History of Summerfest] (including the grounds)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051207134523/http://summerfest.com/aboutus/history.htm History of Summerfest] (including the grounds)
*[http://www.airfields-freeman.com/WI/Airfields_WI_SE.htm#downtownmilwaukee Maitland Airport & Military Reservation] details and images
*[http://www.airfields-freeman.com/WI/Airfields_WI_SE.htm#downtownmilwaukee Maitland Airport & Military Reservation] details and images


{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Henry Maier Festival Park| ]]
[[Category:Economy of Milwaukee]]
[[Category:Economy of Milwaukee]]
[[Category:Culture of Milwaukee]]
[[Category:Culture of Milwaukee]]
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[[Category:Tourist attractions in Milwaukee]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Milwaukee]]
[[Category:Festival venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Festival venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Henry Maier Festival Park| ]]
[[Category:1970 establishments in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Event venues established in 1970]]

Latest revision as of 20:08, 26 November 2024

Henry Maier Festival Park
Map
Alternative namesSummerfest Grounds
General information
Address200 North Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Coordinates43°01′41″N 87°53′56″W / 43.02806°N 87.89889°W / 43.02806; -87.89889
Named forHenry Maier
Opened1970
ClientMilwaukee World Festival, Inc.
OwnerCity of Milwaukee
Known forSummerfest
Other information
ParkingYes
Public transit accessBus transport MCTS
Website
milwaukeeworldfestival.com
The Pabst Showcase located on the Henry W. Maier Festival Grounds during the 1994 Summerfest, with Downtown Milwaukee and Interstate 794 in the background.

Henry Maier Festival Park is a 75-acre festival park located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the shore Lake Michigan and is the site of the annual Summerfest musical festival and the home of the American Family Insurance Amphitheater.

History

[edit]

Before Summerfest

[edit]

In 1927 Maitland Airport (also the Milwaukee seaplane port) was opened. It was one of the city's first airstrips. The airport remained in operation for more than 20 years before it was replaced by a Nike missile installation, established during the height of 1950s Cold War tensions. The site was one of eight in the Greater Milwaukee area and hosted both the Nike Ajax and nuclear-capable Nike Hercules missiles as a means of last resort against a possible attack by the Soviet Union. The military installation, along with a radar station at Lake Park, remained in use until 1969 when the Army closed them in an effort to reduce costs.

The land was then sold to the city and became a top possible destination by Summerfest's early leaders, who worried for the fest's future after bad weather caused a poor turnout in its second year. Organizers believed that a centralized location was crucial, and the lakefront site appeared ideal.

In 1970, the Harbor Commission, which took ownership of the land from the Army, constructed a deal and began leasing the site to Summerfest for one dollar a year. The recently formed Summerfest quickly set up makeshift offices from the remaining barracks and the control building.[1]

Summerfest

[edit]

The history of the Henry Maier Festival Park starts with Summerfest in 1968. The music festival was created that year, and found some success, being held in 35 different locations. The next year, however, was inundated with horrific weather, forcing cancellation of the last day and ensuring financial losses for that year. In 1970 a central location was decided upon: an abandoned strip of land along the lakefront in the downtown area, which was the former Maitland Airport and served as a Nike missile site during the Cold War.

The early Summerfest Grounds consisted of little more than concrete blocks with wooden slabs placed on top to serve as stages, in the middle of a grassy, muddy field. Despite this, the central location was key to the festival's success, ensuring the existence and expansion of the grounds. Construction continued through the 1970s and 1980s, with the highlight of the creation of the Marcus Amphitheater, a 23,000 seat partially covered venue, in 1987.

Festivals

[edit]
The Mid Gate of the Henry Maier Festival Park, during Milwaukee Irish Fest 2005.

Various ethnic and cultural festivals came to be held at the festival park beginning in the 1980s, as well as several run/walks for charity events.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Summerfest 50: Maier Festival Park grounds have a long history". OnMilwaukee.com. 2017-07-03. Archived from the original on 2017-06-15. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  2. ^ "2005 African World Festival". African World Festival. Archived from the original on 2008-01-29.
  3. ^ "Welcome". Arab World Fest. Archived from the original on 2019-06-10. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
  4. ^ "Welcome to Asian Moon Festival". www.asianmoonfestival.com. 2006-06-11. Archived from the original on 2008-07-14.
  5. ^ "Indian Summer Festival". Indian Summer Festival. Archived from the original on 2019-05-17. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
  6. ^ "WHSF/Mexican Fiesta". WHSF/Mexican Fiesta. Archived from the original on 2019-06-21. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
[edit]
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