'City of Festivals' kickoff event offers preview of Milwaukee festival food, drinks, as season approaches

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It won't be long before Milwaukee's festival season begins. As we all know, this city has more festivals than you could possibly attend in one year. 

A kickoff was held Thursday, May 1, for our "City of Festivals."

All seven festivals had booths set up with food and drinks to promote the City of Festivals as our favorite season at Henry Maier Festival Park is almost underway. 

Representatives from Festa Italiana, Mexican Fiesta, German Fest, Black Arts Festival, Irish Fest, Pride Fest, and Polish Fest are prepared for another busy season at Milwaukee's lakefront. 

The CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Sarah Pancheri, says the cultural festival season contributes $318 million annually to the state of Wisconsin.

"What's equally as important is the rich cultural fabric we create as we all cultivate, and really, over decades, celebrate what we know as the City of Festivals," Pancheri said. 

"Festival season here is a time when our culture and our creativity, our community, really all come forward all at once," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

It all starts with Festa Italiana at Henry Maier Festival Park from May 30-June 1. Then, Pride Fest the weekend after. The rest follow through the summer.