The Milwaukee World Festival, a nonprofit organization that manages Henry Maier Festival Park and operates Summerfest, has announced a call for proposals to explore new programming and enhancements to the festival grounds.
The goal of this request for proposals (RFP) is to create a master use plan that will increase public access to Henry Maier Festival Park while still hosting Summerfest and the various ethnic and cultural festivals held there each year. The park, owned by the City of Milwaukee, is currently leased to Milwaukee World Festival, which has invested over $160 million in capital improvements since 2003.
Mary Ellen Stanek, chairwoman of Milwaukee World Festival Inc., emphasized the importance of Henry Maier Festival Park as a valuable asset to the community and expressed her commitment to working closely with the city to align its goals with Milwaukee’s vision for growth.
In 2023, the park welcomed over 1.2 million guests through Summerfest, cultural festivals, concerts, and public events. Sarah Pancheri, president and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival Inc., shared her excitement about the potential for expanding the use of the park while maintaining its mission to promote performing arts, celebrate cultural traditions, provide recreation opportunities and create employment opportunities.
The organization’s goal is to continue enriching the community through diverse programming while keeping Henry Maier Festival Park as a vibrant and inclusive destination for all.
