A group of Milwaukeeans and Milwaukee ex-pats is trying to rally support for a new holiday called Milwaukee Day.
"It's been kind of a joke amongst friends for a while, but we were like 'Wait a minute. Let's make this a real holiday'," said Timm Gable, a producer at Cramer-Krasselt, "So this year we have proclaimed April 14 as being an official holiday.
The idea originated when former Milwaukeean Justin Thomas Kay, who we profiled late last year, realized that the numerical abbreviation for April 14, 4-14, corresponded with Milwaukee's area code.
The core behind the push also includes Brent Gohde of Cedar Block fame, and commercial film director and former Since By Man frontman Sam Macon. Normally I'd chalk this kind of thing up to a group of drunken wingnuts, but all these guys are known for making things happen around town, so I'm guessing this may take off.
Gable said they hope their idea builds momentum this year, with aspirations for a parade and city-wide events for Milwaukee Day 2012. In the meantime, Gable said Milwaukeeans near and far can launch their own festivities doing anything they feel celebrates the city.
"Today is the declaration that the holiday exists. We encourage everyone to go out and celebrate what they feel is Milwaukee in their own way. Whether that means going to a local bookstore, going to Kopp's , going to Leon's or Glorioso's," Gable said.
The group has made a video declaration outlining how you can celebrate and launched a Facebook page and Web site where they will update developments for next year's celebrations. I can't wait to see what they come up with, and let's face it, you can never celebrate Milwaukee enough.
Milwaukee Day PRESS RELEASE from milwaukeeday on Vimeo.
