Milwaukee Brewfest 2020 has been canceled.
You knew it was coming, right?
In an emailed statement, organizers of the lakefront festival, which typically hosts more than 100 breweries and celebrated its 10th year in 2019, wrote:
"We have worked tirelessly over the past two months to reconfigure the grounds for increased social distancing and to put in place policies that would increase the safety of all attendees, brewery representatives, volunteers, and staff. We were hopeful that we would be able to hold the event safely, and that it would still be enjoyable for all who attend.
"We found out today that ALL Special Event permits in the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County Parks have been suspended through September.
"Unfortunately, the current health crisis in the county makes this a tough but necessary decision. We will miss the familiar faces of the guests and breweries who have joined us for the last 10 years and we are sad for any new guest who will not be able to enjoy the best craft beer event in the area. All tickets purchased for 2020 will be valid for Milwaukee Brewfest 2021.
"We look forward to seeing you next year. Mark your calendar for July 31, 2021. Until then, cheers to next year and the love for craft beer!"
The 2020 festival was slated for July 25.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
