Milwaukee Night Market to Return in 2021 Under New Strategic Partnership with Westown

Organization Seeks Corporate Funders, Vendors for August Market

Milwaukee, Wisc. June 2, 2021 — Westown Association, in partnership with NEWaukee, is excited to announce that the Night Market will return to Downtown Milwaukee this year. The event will be held on West Wisconsin Avenue between 2nd and Vel R. Phillips Avenue from 5-10 p.m. on Wednesday, August 18. 

The Night Market is a one-of-a-kind, free, outdoor street festival showcasing a variety of local Milwaukee vendors, performers and artists.

A new strategic partnership transfers the Night Market brand from NEWaukee, a local engagement agency, to the nonprofit Westown Association, a development and marketing entity that – among other initiatives – produces the Westown Farmers’ Market, River Rhythms weekly music series, and the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

NEWaukee, which announced its new marketing, engagement and experience design services in 2020, created and started the Night Market in 2014 and has hosted the signature event through 2019. The 2020 Night Market season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are happy to find a long-term, sustainable strategic partner for the Night Market in Westown,” said NEWaukee co-founder and CEO Angela Damiani.  “Since the pandemic our business model – like many – has shifted, and our team is focused on delivering exceptional custom experiences for our clients and ensuring that the Night Market continues its track record of success.”

“The Night Market aligns perfectly with our mission and goals to grow a more creative and diverse neighborhood in Downtown Milwaukee,” says Stacie Callies, Westown Executive Director. “We’re excited to grow this signature event and can’t wait for August 18!”  

As part of the brand transition, NEWaukee will work with Westown Association as an event production partner for several market seasons and collaborate on partnerships and sponsorships.  

The decision to bring back the Night Market comes as the City of Milwaukee lifts its COVID-19 restrictions, downtown business leaders call for their employees to return to the office and many small businesses continue to struggle.

“We build community in our Downtown by gathering together. The Night Market is the perfect event to get us all back together … co-workers, friends, families walking, talking and being together on Wisconsin Avenue.  As we welcome our team back to GRAEF’s office at The Avenue we look forward to a new partnership that will surely make the Night Market even better,” said John Kissinger, President/CEO/Principal, GRAEF.  

A recent study by the Urban Institute found a connection between the Night Market and the economic recovery of the West Wisconsin Avenue corridor post-recession, stating, “The Night Market’s activities helped reimagine a space once considered unappealing, unsafe, and inactive…”

The study continues, “Funders should recognize the importance of placemaking in this moment of outdoor appreciation and ensure that placemaking is incorporated into efforts to reimagine space.” 

Companies interested in sponsoring the Night Market are encouraged to visit mkenightmarket.com or email stacie@westown.org. Westown is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and donations are tax-deductible.

“310W has been a proud sponsor of the Night Market since 2018 and we can’t wait for this exciting event to welcome visitors back to West Wisconsin Avenue this summer,” says Westown board member and 310W property manager, Kim Guerrero. “The Night Market helped bring people, small businesses and economic recovery to downtown before, and we believe we can do it again in 2021.”

Additionally, Westown is looking for local vendors to sell their wares at the Night Market. Vendor applications for the August 18, 2021 market are now open and are due by midnight on June 18th. There is no fee to apply. The application can be found at mkenightmarket.com. Accepted vendors will be notified in early July. 

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Westown Association is a non-profit business association focused on championing the economic and social development in the Westown neighborhood. To learn more, visit westown.org.

NEWaukee is an agency with over a decade of experience in helping organizations create transformational programming and brand engagement. To learn more, visit newaukee.com.

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