International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) has named Milwaukee a 2024 World Festival & Event City, an honor given to cities around the world that host, “events that bring communities together, celebrate diversity, and foster a vibrant cultural landscape.”
The honor was announced on Sept. 29 at the IFEA’s annual convention and expo in Pittsburgh, which was also among the cities that earned the nod.
Other cities to receive the distinction this year are Gwangju Dong-gu, Republic of Korea; McAllen, Texas; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Phuket, Thailand.
"We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition from IFEA," said Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of Visit Milwaukee.
"Milwaukee has long been a city that knows how to celebrate. From cultural festivals on the lakefront to street and neighborhood festivals occurring year-round, these events bring people together in meaningful and memorable ways, while driving tourism to our community."
Milwaukee – which has long identified itself the “City of Festivals” – is known beyond its borders for events like Summerfest, the lakefront ethnic festivals and other celebrations focusing on arts, culture and tradition.
“Milwaukee is a city with a rich history, vibrant culture, and unwavering spirit,” said Sarah Pancheri, president and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.
“As the city of festivals, we will continue to create experiences that unite our community and celebrate the heart of this city.”
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.
