South Shore Water Frolics
South Shore Water Frolics was a free three-day summer festival held annually at South Shore Park in the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It featured a parade, live music and fireworks at the lakefront. 2014 and 2015 did not have a parade, due to lack of donations.
The event, along with Summerfest and the many ethnic and cultural festivals held throughout the city, is what gives Milwaukee the nickname "City of Festivals".
Description
Celebrating its 63rd year in 2012, the South Shore Frolics is one of the oldest festivals in Milwaukee. Originally known as the South Shore Water Frolic, it was sponsored by the Bay View Lions Club, which provided a stage and music near the South Shore Yacht Club.
The event was kicked off with a parade that runs through the heart of the Bay View business district, along Kinnickinnic Avenue from Lincoln Avenue south to Estes, then east to the park. The parade included classic cars, local dignitaries, floats sponsored by local businesses, and competitions involving local high school sports teams, cheerleaders, bands, and organizations. Various park venues staged events such as the annual Classic Car Show and the South Shore Festival of the Arts presented by the Bay View Arts Guild.
Rounding off each night is the festival's signature Atomic Fireworks display put on by Bartolotta Fireworks. With the crowds' cries of "Blow-up the beach!", the evening culminates in a percussive onslaught of shells.
After 68 years of celebrations, South Shore Water Frolics was cancelled. The Bay View Lions Club, which organizes the Frolics, did not hold the event in the summer of 2018 due to it being a money loser for three of the past four years.