It’s September and our Great Milwaukee Summer is swiftly fading. But as the autumnal chill begins to set in, it’s time to get ready for our Phenomenal Milwaukee Fall and all the amazing activities that come with it.
Among the can’t-miss events that await you is Flannel Fest, a celebration of food, music and cozy plaid-printed attire that’s slated to take place on Saturday, Oct. 21 from noon to 10 p.m. in the parking lot at The Cooperage, 822 S. Water St.
The event is free, family-friendly and filled with fall-worthy fun.
Just check out the recap of the 2022 festivities:
Food, drink & fabulous finds
First, let’s take a look at the amazing line-up of food vendors, which includes none other than Taco Moto, Dooby Dogs, Flour Girl & Flame, Tots On The Street, Lumpia City, Ay Chihuahua Coffee and BB Cakes. Pair your chosen fare with beer, wine or cocktails from Boone & Crockett and the party’s already begun.
But there’s more. Outside, you’ll also find a beer tent featuring local brews from New Glarus, Hinterland and Third Space Brewing, with proceeds going to support the folks at Courage MKE, an organization working tirelessly to make the lives of displaced LGBTQ+ youth a whole lot better.
Guests can also indulge in soul-warming hot cocktails from Flannel Fest sponsors Termana Tequila and Jack Daniels, plus samples of new products from White Claw (rawr!).
But that’s not all. Attendees can also peruse a marketplace of unique goods from local vendors including Cival Collective (jewelry), Clover MKE(plants), Canni Hemp Co. (THC/CBD products), The Plate Collective(ceramics), El Serpientio Jewelrio, Jackalope Milk(leather goods, home decor, etc.) and Paloma Wilder Bonded Bar (permanent jewelry).
Live music all day long
And yes, there’s music. In fact, the line-up for Flannel Fest 2023 might be the best yet with WMSE’s Boogie Bang Gang kicking things off and Emcee Shle Berry introducing acts on two Flannel Fest Stages: the Main Stage (presented by White Claw) and the Folk Stage (presented by Jack Daniels and Teremana Tequila).
Main Stage
Headliner: Sunflower Bean
Openers:
REYNA
NilexNile
Shoobie
Twan Mack and Swadetracks
Folk Stage
Headliner: The Hallelujah Ward
Openers:
Ben Mulwana
Arum Rae
Next Paperback Hero
Can’t wait?
Get a taste of what’s to come with the Flannel Fest Pre-Party on Friday, Oct. 20 from 6 to 11:30 at The Cooperage. Tickets are just $15 and include an evening of music from The Keystones, Alley Eyes, Social Cig, and Tigera.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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