Photo courtesy of Fred Gillich
414 Beer is in liquor stores now. It was crafted by Vernacular Brewing and made at MobCraft.
Since it was first observed in 2010, Milwaukee Day (April 14) has come to be an important date on the city's spring calendar as residents celebrate the city for all it has to offer culturally.
Unfortunately, the nature of Milwaukee Day gatherings this year will be a little different than in the past. While the city is under a statewide stay at home order and strict social distancing efforts are in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, in-person gatherings are a no-no for now. But that doesn't mean the spirit of Milwaukee Day—celebrating all that Milwaukee has to offer including the culture, live music, sports, arts, beer and more—will be hampered by the current state of the world.
We rounded up a list of some of the ways you can celebrate safely.
Milwaukee Record's "14-Hour Socially Distant Telethon" @ 10 a.m.-midnight
Milwaukee Record's Matt Wild, Tyler Maas, and Josh Hoppert are hosting a 14-hour Facebook Live event that will include a live recording of their "My First Band" podcast, a quarantine comedy showcase, new videos, replays of videos from their archive and more. They are asking for donations to help support the online publication and plan to highlight other local organizations in need of support. You can read more about the event here.
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"Gertie the Duck" Story Time with John Gurda @ 11 a.m.
Local historian John Gurda will livestream a reading of "Gertie the Duck," the out-of-print children's book that tells the story of the iconic Gertie, a duck who captivated Milwaukee. A Spanish translation will be provided by Historic Milwaukee intern Selena Fregoso. RSVP to the Zoom session here in order to get an access code for the livestream.
Lakefront Brewery Gives Away Free Beer to Health Care Workers @ noon-8 p.m.
Health care workers can stop by the brewery with their hospital identification for a free six-pack of Riverwest Stein Amber Lager and a special 414 glass (while supplies last). Russ and Jim Klisch will also be live on Facebook at 4:14 p.m. for a virtual toast.
Swarmm Events Presents Virtual 414 Day @ noon-8 p.m.
Virtual 414 Day includes a full slate of livestreaming local music. Plus, they'll also show a live mural painting in progress. They're also hosting a virtual toast on Facebook Live at 4:14 p.m.
The NoRona Happy Hour with MobCraft Beer @ TBA
MobCraft staff puts on a daily weekday happy hour at varying times in the afternoon and evening. This Tuesday, they kick off a six week virtual book club featuring Josh Noel's "Barrel-Aged Stout and Selling Out: Goose Island, Anheuser-Busch, and How Craft Beer Became Big Business." There's a $45 registration fee that includes the book or you can pay $25 to join the club but buy the book yourself.
Virtual Happy Hour and Toast with OnMilwaukee and Fred "Too Much Metal" Gillich @ 6 p.m.
OnMilwaukee is hosting a virtual happy hour on Facebook Live that will feature Fred Gillich, owner of Too Much Rock for One Hand in the Third Ward and one of the brains behind the new 414 beer, which was crafted by Vernacular Brewing and made at MobCraft's brewing facility. So practice social distancing while heading out to one of the many places selling 414 beer so you can pour a glass and enjoy while tuning in to the virtual happy hour.
Light the Night @ 8 p.m.
Several local media outlets are encouraging residents to "Light the Night" at 8 p.m. by going to your window with a flashlight and shining your light for several minutes for neighbors to see. The goal is to remind everyone that we are all in this together as we stay safer at home. Several Downtown buildings and organizations will also join #LightTheNightMKE with their own light displays, including Fiserv Forum, the Pfister Hotel, the Hilton Hotel, 777 Building and more.
Subscribe and Listen to the New Jazz at Noon Podcast
Local arts and entertainment supporter Black Box Fund has launched a new podcast featuring Jazz At Noon performances from the last 14 months that took place at various locations in the Third Ward, including Catalano Square Park and the Broadway Theatre Center. You can download the first episode now and new episodes will drop every Monday at noon.
Photo courtesy of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum
Pre-order the New Milverine Bobblehead
The latest new bobblehead release through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum is a limited edition bobblehead figure featuring (and authorized by) Milwaukee icon John Hamann, who is better known as “Milverine”. The organization is donating $5 from the sale of each Milverine bobblehead to the Wisconsin Humane Society.
Virtual Taco Tuesday Run
Performance Running Outfitters and BelAir Cantina are hosting a virtual run on Tuesday. Get out for a run (practicing social distancing), share a selfie with #PROvirtualtacorun and don't forget BelAir has two dollar tacos available and they are open for carryout or delivery.
Buy a Four-Pack of Milwaukee Day Lager Tallboys by Company Brewing
Company Brewing has released a collaboration beer with the founders of Milwaukee Day since 2018. This year is no different. The helles lager contains 4.14% ABV and can be purchased at Discount Liquor, Ray’s Wine & Spirits, Downer Wine, Consumer Beverage and Outpost (Wauwatosa and Capitol Drive locations).
Order the New "Play By the Rules" Brewers Shirt
The Milwaukee Brewers and the Brewers Community Foundation announced a new branded t-shirt for sale with the tagline "Play by the Rules. Keep your Distance." Proceeds from the $25 shirt support the BCF's efforts to raise money for local nonprofit organizations experiencing increased demands due to COVID-19.
Review the Milwaukee Day Website for Ways to Support Local Fundraising Efforts
Once the stay at home order effectively ended the chance of there being any in-person events on Milwaukee Day, the event organizers shifted their efforts to gathering a list of Milwaukee area fundraising efforts, non-profits, restaurants, live music venues and retail stores to support at this time.
Bonus Activities
- Fly your 414 flag or, if you don't have one, order it from Too Much Metal
- Support a local restaurant that's open for business by ordering a meal for carryout or delivery (if you are able).
- Buy a gift card online to support a local business.
- Sponsor a cat at Sip & Purr Cafe to ensure they can continue to pay their bills
- Support local media with a subscription, membership or donation: Milwaukee Magazine (get a full year of the print publication for $4.14 on Tuesday), Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Shepherd Express, Milwaukee Record, Urban Milwaukee and Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.
- Donate to Imagine MKE's artist relief fund.
- If you're short on cash, consider donating blood to the American Red Cross or Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin.
Last, but certainly not least... stay at home.
