The popular German Christkindlmarket returns to the Deer District plaza outside Fiserv Forum, Nov. 15-Dec. 24 and, of course, it comes with its very own commemorative mug, as is tradition.
The mugs for the market's three locations – Downtown Chicago and Wrigleyville also host markets organized by Chicago-based German American Events – have been unveiled.
Last year's dark brown, heart-shaped design has been given the boot in favor of white mugs, each depicting an "on location" scene from the market.
Milwaukee's shows the quaint booths arrayed in front of the Fiserv Forum, with a range of recognizable Brew City buildings in the background, including the Northwestern Mutual Tower, the Milwaukee Art Museum and buildings that line Prospect Avenue.
The mugs, which have become collectors' items, will be available at the markets in a limited edition three-pack for $20.
Individual mugs are only available at their own markets.
"The annual Christkindlmarket mug has become such an iconic part of the market experience," said German American Events CEO Maren Biester Priebe, in a news release.
"We are so excited to announce that the boot is back, featuring a unique design at each of our locations."
Mugs from some previous years are available for purchase online.
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.
