Washington Park Wednesdays

Where live music, killer eats & community vibes thrive

Spending an evening at Washington Park Wednesdays has earned a spot on my Milwaukee summer bucket list nearly every year for the past several, and 2018 was no exception. It all started with my dear friend and coworker at the time, Jane, who is one of the brilliant folks running the show at the Shell. Here she is — the people's queen! 

It's been fun to watch this once-small summer music series grow. While the turnout was rather sparse in its early days, the hill overlooking the Shell is now plenty hoppin' with a crowd that's beautifully diverse. The lineup of food offerings has also grown, boasting the likes of Pete's Pops, Pedro's South American Food, Press Waffles, and more. It's becoming a challenge to pick a delicious poison.

During my most recent spin at the Shell, I went for the pork arepas from Pedro's. Holy mackerel. Good luck tearing me away from Pedro's if this food truck is ever on the premises. 




Arepas for dummies (like yours truly): They're kinda like a corn cake patty stuffed with melted cheese, heaped with toppings and slathered in sauce. Get in mah belly! Did I save room for a Press waffle with Nutella? Why, yes. Yes I did. 

The music that night was latin, with a troupe of local samba dancers taking the stage between acts. Still coming up this season are the likes of No No Yeah Okay, Collections of Colonies of Bees, B-Free celebrating the music of Prince, the Extra Crispy Brass Band, and more. People start to gather in the park around 5pm, and music kicks off around 6:00. So put Washington Park Wednesdays on your summer bucket list, friends — it's earned a spot!