Milwaukee's Daily Magazine Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009

Sign in | Register now

In Festival Guide Blogs

By Andrew Wagner OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Andrew Wagner

Published June 3, 2008 at 7:59 p.m.

Tags: old world 3rd street, riversplash, bauman

Not long after the post-RiverSplash! shooting Saturday night, I sat down and tried to find a way to share my thoughts, but was still too irked to do it in an appropriate manner. Now that the dust has settled, and the powers-that-be have issued all the obligatory press statements, I'm still feeling the same emotions I did Saturday night: anger, disgust, annoyance, perturbation, etc.

Regularly, I am told by people that I chose to live Downtown so I have no right to complain. That's true to an extent: I am willing to deal with the noise, the irresponsible bar owners and the constant battle for parking.

Nobody, though, no matter where they live should be subjected to the disregard of public and personal property as my neighbors and I do during every RiverSplash!. We've had our cars broken into and vandalized. We've had people climb up onto our patios. Our homes are used as public restrooms ... is that "what we get" for choosing to live Downtown? I don't think so.

My colleague, Jeff Sherman, again offered his suggestions to improve RiverSplash!. All of them were good points, but unfortunately, none of them will be taken into account when planning for next year's festival gets underway.

Here's my view, as somebody who has had a front-row seat to this calamity for three straight years.

Music: There's nothing wrong with having music at an outdoor event. Yes, the Love Monkeys and all the other cover bands that play the church festival circuit all summer long can get tiring after awhile, but it's part of summer in Milwaukee.

What isn't necessary is the DJ that was hired to play Friday night. As I walked back across the river to get to my house, the dead-end stub of Highland Street between Lucille's and the Wisconsin Cheese Shop was jam-packed with people while some yahoo with a microphone was screaming at the crowd to ... scream.

"Who here is f-cked up," the DJ bellowed.

What was more annoying, none of the "stages" seemed to know when things were supposed to shut down for the night. Music was still playing minutes before midnight.

Purpose: While this is a great event for the bars and restaurants on Water Street, the businesses of Old World 3rd Street don't feel much of an effect. I agree with Jeff; what does this event have to do with the Milwaukee River? My best guess is that the only interaction many of the patrons have with the river is using it as a restroom following the event. It's three, poorly-organized block parties all rolled into one. Long story short, RiverSplash! is nothing more than an opportunity for bars to sell more beer and an opportunity for people to drink it outside

Organization: The three groups charged with putting on the event need to re-organize. The Old Wolrd 3rd Street Association, Water Street tavern group and Riverwalk District need to draw up a master plan that brings a focus, a sense of unity and a specific purpose. They need to listen to those who live and work in their respective areas and heed their concerns, instead of just worrying about their own bottom lines.

Clean-up: Pitiful. Disgusting. Reproachful. Those are just a few of the words that would adequately describe the street in the hours after the event and even the next morning. Every other festival I have been a part of has had some sort of overnight clean-up crew. If RiverSplash! hired a company to clean, it ought to get its money back.

Security: This is the most important factor of it all. Where is the security? I spent a good four hours on my patio watching people urinate and vomit in the alley next to my home. I saw drug use and drug sales. There were several fights. There were acts of prostitution. Think I'm kidding? I wish I was. Three times Saturday night alone, we called the police. Not once did an officer show up. We asked the security guards "patrolling" the street to put a body in the alley to keep an eye on things. They were "too busy," I was told. Moments later, the same individual mugged for a camera with a young lady showing off her assets. The individuals hired to keep the peace were allowed to carry firearms ... why?

After three years of having a front-row seat to this annual frat party, enough is enough. The comments that the shooting was in isolated incident that shouldn't reflect on a 19-year record of safe events is a bit of an exaggeration. The fights, the crowd issues and the drinking that led to the shooting have become a bigger and bigger problem every single year.

Those who want to condemn me for my "old man" ramblings are more than entitled to do so. But enough is enough; this event has gone on too long without any purpose or direction. Enjoying summer festivals in the city of Milwaukee is not a right but a privilege. And those who abuse that privilege should have it taken away.

Until the people responsible for staging this event actually take responsibility for the actions that take place during the event; then I hope Ald. Bob Bauman is right when he said "RiverSplash!, as far as I'm concerned, is done."

18 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by sugarcreekboy on June 5, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (report)

This festival has gotten out of hand. It's not just the "one bad incident" as people seem to think. I was there the day of the shooting (walked past the area about a minute before it happened) and it was ridiculous. I saw maybe 3 or 4 cops all night but felt sketchy about a number of people (white and black). It looked like there were people there seeking out trouble, and 3rd was definitely the worst. It's not like this year's RiverSplash was the first one that went bad. I was there last year and got nailed in the head by a flying beer bottle. I've seen those flying around like crazy. Two years ago I saw a guy getting arrested and fighting with the cops while everybody cheered HIM on. Being 31, I've been to this festival probably 7 times since turning 21 and No. 7 is a 100 times worse than No. 1. All the shooting has done has brought to light how out of hand this festival has gotten. I like the fencing idea, but doubt how well it will work over such a large area that is almost sectioned off into three separate parties. But security is definitely an issue. I didn't see any private security and the cops were almost invisible (except for, finally at midnight, when they came through on horseback and motorcycles to clear the crowd). Shouldn't they have been there all night making their presence known? Until security is beefed up, this festival will continue to get worse and worse. And downtown residents knew they were getting into a big party place during RiverSplash when the moved in, but you don't get into having guys take a leak on your front door, guys buying marijuana in your alley or someone breaking into your car. Seriously, I can almost guarantee people who live there don't mind the party if it were a party and not a reason for people to wreak as much havoc as they can imagine.

---

Posted by brewcitypaul on June 4, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (report)

To respond to zboy If you don't think there is a difference between a group of 17 year olds who are drinking and a group of 21-24 year olds drinking than I don't know what to say. There needs to be a system in place to keep those who are breaking the law out of this type of festival. Sure, there are plenty of annoying 21-24 year olds, but the maturity level of the crowd is instantly raised by eliminating underage drinkers. This years problems I believe will lead this to no longer being able to be operated as a free festival. There are far too many costs involved to keep it safe. I don't think I'm the only one that would have no problem paying $5 if it meant feeling safer. If it's free, I probably won't go next year. What does the term "Free For All" evoke? To me it evokes a scene of recklessness and uncontrolled behavior. Which is exactly what you get when it is, "free for all". To the poster who brought up the Madison changes in State St. festival, I say that is a perfect example of what fencing off the area and charging a cover charge can do. No longer do you have people coming and going, underagers, extremely drunk people and general mayhem. I didn't count up the gang members, but I've lived in the city my whole life and have a pretty good handle on what my surroundings are and who is partying at certain places. There was a heavy gang presence and it has been noted in the media. To the poster who noticed the significant atmosphere change between Water St and 3rd St. You are dead on accurate. It was like night and day. Water St was fairly tame. 3rd Street was in utter chaos. I was walking to my car at 1130PM and I noted to my friend "I don't feel comfortable here, I think something bad is going to happen. Let's get out of here". Then I get home and I see there was a shooting. Looks like my gut was right, unfortunately. The people who live downtown, generally accept and most likely love festivals. Thats why we love and choose to live downtown. We don't have to accept violence, shootings, and general lawlessness outside our front door though.

---

Posted by runrun82 on June 4, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (report)

When Madison police decided to regulate the Halloween festivities on State St., they nearly eradicated all issues experienced with the street festival. I agree with the comments on barricading certain ends of the blocks and having entry points, where people are wristbanded according to under 21 / over 21, and maybe frisked for weapons / outside beverages. If someone appears to be too intoxicated, they don't get inside the festival. Makes sense to me.

---

Posted by MoneyMiles on June 4, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (report)

RiverSplash is the first official festival of the year and eagerly anticipated by many. I've always had a blast and was there both nights this year. The one thing that was odd to me was how different the mood and makeup of the crowd on 3rd st was compared to Water st. Old world third was ridiculous! Tons of under-agers slammin fish bowls and acting like idiots. And yes, the wanna-be DJ guy was a joke (super lame and annoying). I'd never thought I'd say it, but they made the Water St side of the river look classy. I spent much time on both sides of the river and Water St was definitely a great time. The other side of the river got trashed and was lame. Should we put a stop to this festival? Hell no! It's been going on for 19 years. One bad incident shouldn't tarnish it's reputation. However, there is merit behind the call for better litter management and crowd monitoring. Wristbands for those wanting to drink is a good idea. Shutting the music off at 11:00 wouldn't hurt either. I look forward to next year!

---

Posted by Z_boy on June 4, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (report)

"brewcitypaul": A number of issues I have with your post. First, the 21 and older stance is silly. I don't see a major difference from those 21, 22, 23, 24 than those 20, 19, 18, 17. For some, turning 21 is his or her first experience with drinking, and we all know what that usually means -- a learning period that typically entails binge alcohol consumption. If you're way over 21-24, do you find yourself hanging down on Water Street much with the fraternity crowd? Admit it, they are obnoxious and rude beyond belief. So if you want to do the age cut-off thing, be bold, get serious, and make it 28 and over. Second, unless RiverSplash pulls in national and international acts, why would I want to pay a cover charge to see some Milwaukee cover band performing "Mustang Sally?" Or why would I want to pay a cover charge for cheap bar food at overly priced rates? Or why would I want to pay admission to see little rubber-duckies flowing down the river? No, RiverSplash should remain FREE; it's part of its draw and appeal. Third, why are people who carry guns "cowards?" The definition I get from Merriem-Webster of a coward is "one who shows disgraceful fear or timidity." Pulling a gun and willing to actually use it is anything but being timid. If anything, it's stupid. But mostly, it's sad, sick, and demented. Fourth, I've checked all the articles thus far that I can find, but I couldn't locate where it says "the fact is that there were more gang members than cops" at RiverSplash. Where did you find this? Who did the tallying? Who compiled these numbers? I'm thinking that this is because what you state isn't a "fact," it's just a "perception" on your part. So for the sake of argument, let's stick to the facts. Fifth, I don't think anyone here has said that if you live downtown, you should just deal with a shooting. That's never the case wherever you should happen to live. I think what HAS been said is that if you chose to live downtown, the humongous crowds and jam-packed festivals throughout summer should not suddenly be some kind of surprise to you. So for those who made a choice to live with this knowledge of what the summer festival season entails ('cause after all, the festivals were all there first -- there was never any mystery involved), to this, I think we're all within our rights to say: DEAL WITH IT! If not, move.

---

Show me the other 13 Talkbacks

Recent blogs/briefs by Andrew Wagner

Brewers introduce Wolf Monday The Brewers Monday introduced left-hander Randy Wolf, who agreed to a three-year deal ...

A gift a day: Boxed spices Dec. 08, 2009 This year, why not give the gift of flavor?

Have you been bad or good? Dec. 05, 2009 Tonight is my favorite night of the year; the night Krampus comes to visit.

Smoking ban is fine, until its time to pay up Dec. 04, 2009 Sure, non-smokers are stoked that smoking will be outlawed in public places -- including ...

A gift a day: practical gift cards Dec. 01, 2009 Sure, gift cards are the "easy way out" and leave little excitement when the recipient ...

Dining | Bars | Music | Movies | Sports | Entertainment | Marketplace | Family | Politics | Milwaukee Buzz
Visitors Guide | Hotels | Events | Weather | Scoops | Postcards | MyOMC | Readers Blogs | Message Boards
E-mail Newsletters | Text Headlines | Terms of Service | Help | Advertising Info | Feedback | About Us
Contact Us | RSS | Privacy Statement