MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After months of cold rain and gray skies, Milwaukee is finally thawing out -- and residents are soaking it all in.
While the calendar hasn’t officially flipped to summer, the atmosphere across the city says otherwise. Crowded patios, packed parks, and buzzing festivals are helping the city shake off a cool, soggy spring.
“Tragic... it was pouring rain, really cold and windy,” said Jazzy Sarsour, reflecting on the extended stretch of dreary weather.
“Kinda nice to have a break from the typical weather in Milwaukee,” added her brother Elijah Sarsour.
At Cool Waters Aquatic Park Monday, June 16, families and kids fresh out of school enjoyed a long-awaited taste of summer. Daniellys Torres already has a goal in mind: “I wanna read as many books as I can.”
Forecasts from the CBS 58 Weather Team show that temperatures are expected to climb into the 80s—and possibly the 90s—by the end of the week, signaling a true summer warm-up.
Along Lake Michigan, Letty Aphay was ready for beach season. When asked if she enjoys swimming in the lake, she replied, “Yeah,” before admitting, “Mostly not” when asked if she’s a good swimmer.
Across town, students celebrated milestones in the sunshine.
“Today we are doing a cookout with some kickball, and my team won!” said Ymaris Rodriguez, celebrating her GPS Ed class promotion to senior year.
Two major festivals will help set the tone for summer’s arrival in Milwaukee. Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival, kicks off its first weekend on Thursday, June 19. And on that same day, the city hosts its annual Juneteenth celebration.
“We hope people that are coming in town to see Summerfest will go see Juneteenth,” said Tony Kearney, President of Juneteenth Milwaukee. “It’s the African-American community’s opportunity to show the best of it, but it’s for all of us.”
And while the warm weather brings opportunities for fun, it’s also bringing people together.
“What’s your favorite part about a Milwaukee summer?” one resident was asked. “I like how everybody gets together. All races get together. That’s what I like about it.”
So pack away the jackets, dust off the flip-flops, and get ready—Milwaukee summer has arrived.