Milwaukee area events and attractions earned a combined 37 Pinnacle Awards from the International Festivals & Events Association. Winners included Jazz in the Park, Bastille Days, the Lakefront Festival of Arts, the Grape Lakes Food & Wine Festival, the Holiday Folk Fair International, Irish Fest, Summerfest and the Wisconsin State Fair.

The Pinnacle Awards recognize high quality festivals and special events. The awards were given, by event category and budget amount, at the International Festivals & Events Association Conference held in Boston, Nov. 8-12.

"These Milwaukee area events were competing against events held in cities throughout the world," said Doug Neilson, president & CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Convention & Visitors Bureau. "From ethnic and music festivals to the arts and culture, our festivals and events are second-to-none. This recognition by the International Festivals & Events Association is really an invitation for visitors to come to Milwaukee and partake in the many wonderful events we offer."