PULSE, A Health & Wellness Fest For All powered by Aurora Health Care and Milwaukee World Festival will make its debut on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Henry Maier Festival Park.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will provide attendees with the tools and resources needed to live fitter, happier, and healthier lives.
Guests can participate in both large and small group cardio workouts, including a 30-minute HIIT workout led by Green Bay Packers’ legend Donal Driver. There will also be yoga, cooking demonstrations, health and wellness panel discussions and youth sports activities. Milwaukee’s own DJ Shawna will also be spinning upbeat tunes In the Aurora Pavilion throughout the day.
“We are thrilled to launch this new free event powered by Aurora Health Care at Henry Maier Festival Park to showcase a range of organizations focused on improving the health and wellness of our community,” said Sarah Pancheri, President and CEO, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. “Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or interested in learning how to take steps towards a healthier lifestyle for you and your family, we encourage you to register today and join us as at the lakefront for PULSE.”
Cooking stage
Among the attractions at PULSE is the Cooking Stage at the Northwestern Mutual Community Park sponsored by Pick 'n Save with Kroger Delivery and hosted by OnMilwaukee Dining Editor Lori Fredrich (yes, that's me).
The schedule for cooking demonstrations includes:
10:15 a.m.: Chef Imani Graham of Mentionable Eats presents Lobster & Grits
11 a.m.: Chef Adam Pawlak of Egg & Flour Pasta Bar presents Chipotle Tomato Carpaccio
11:3o a.m.: LeRoy Butler Meet & Greet and Recipe Signing
12:15 p.m.: Chef Dana Spandet of Flour Girl & Flame presents Rustic Harvest Chili
1 p.m.: Chef Ruta Kahate of Ruta's Fresh Indian Fare presents Green Bean Peanut Salad & Tricolor Salad
1:45 p.m.: Chef Adam Pawlak of Egg & Flour Pasta Bar presents Mediterranean Chicken Skewers
2:30 p.m.: Chef T'yannah El of Solful Kitchen presents Crispy Fried Vegan Chicken Sandwich
Copies of Lori Fredrich's cookbook "Wisconsin Field to Fork: Farm Fresh Recipes from the Dairy State" will be available for purchase at the OnMilwaukee tent near the cooking stage. Fredrich will also be available to sign books from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the OnMilwaukee tent.
Additional activities
- Zumba led by YMCA’s Dominique Johnson.
- Interactive fitness experiences, classes, and activities for all ages with Orangetheory Fitness, Wisconsin Athletic Club, Toned Body Fitness, Sculpting Sistas, Sky Yoga, Tribal Yoga School, YogaSix, The Moving Galaxy, The Milwaukee Rec, YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, Animal Flow in Milwaukee, She Wolf MKE, and many others.
- Over 50 health and wellness organizations and vendors offering resources, fitness experiences, apparel sales, food and beverage sampling, and more.
- Panel discussions on mental health and family wellness with medical professionals and experts from Aurora Health Care, United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, Heal Black Men, and more.
- A one-mile family walk with Girls on the Run throughout the Park.
- Pickleball Village with Prolite, Pickleball Kingdom, and Centerline Athletics – open play, workshops, coaching, and Pickleball vendors selling merchandise.
"At Aurora Health Care, we are proud to sponsor this first-of-its-kind family-friendly health and wellness fest as part of our ongoing commitment to the communities we serve,” said Gabrielle Finley-Hazle, President, Aurora Health Care.
“With PULSE, we aim to promote healthy living and provide valuable resources to local families, along with other community organizations. We believe that investing in health is an investment in the future, and we are excited to contribute to a healthier, more vibrant community.”
Register now
PULSE is free to attend, but attendees are encouraged to register online in advance to avoid long waits at the entrance. Onsite registration will also be available.
PULSE attendees are also strongly encouraged participate in the onsite Community Giveback which will benefit the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, Kradwell School and Sojourner Family Peace Center.
To participate, attendees can donate deodorant, socks and baby wipes (new and in their original packaging) to the event, which will be included in mental health and hygiene kits. Aurora Health Care executive leaders and teammates will be on site packing the kits and will provide enough supplies for over 1,000 kits.
For further information and the complete schedule of activities and classes please visit MilwaukeeWorldFestival.com/PULSE
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 each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “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 recording the FoodCrush podcast, 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.
