September is one of the most beautiful times in Milwaukee – the nights are welcoming and sweet, the days are crisp and blue, and the warm camaraderie within Harambee and Riverwest is palpable. It’s the perfect time to come out and celebrate the spirit of the Riverworks District!

Building off the excitement of last year’s event, the second annual Riverworks Week promises to establish this celebration as a beloved favorite among neighbors and creative entrepreneurs far and wide. From Wednesday, September 16th to Saturday, September 19th, there will be fun activities and meaningful connections to be made.

On the Wednesday evening event we will be highlighting the creative entrepreneurial spirit of Riverworks. Join us in the Dolphin Pool where nine entrepreneurs will pitch their business concepts as they compete for a chance to be one of the three contestants that advance to the final round on Saturday. The ultimate winner will receive a valuable prize package of support and services to help grow their business. This contest is open to all and more information can be found online at http://riverworksmke.org/week/dolphin-pool.html.

Also at Wednesday’s event, Milwaukee native and inventor Jessica Banks will deliver the keynote speech. As founder and CEO of RockPaperRobot, Ms. Banks will delight, inspire and entertain as she shares the story of her Brooklyn-based company, while showcasing her wildly imaginative products. Be sure to attend this free Wednesday night event.

On the Thursday night of Riverworks Week, we’ll be meeting at the Estabrook Beer Garden for the North Coast Summit. Leaders from Glendale, Shorewood and Riverworks will mingle to discuss business, local government and community concerns.

On Friday night’s festivities, the community will be buzzing with activity along the Beerline Trail extension, near Keefe Ave. and Richards St. We’ll celebrate the Trail extension with a public art unveiling, the Milwaukee Polo Club, Splash! presented by I Am Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Bucks Energy Dancers. This is sure to be a great opportunity for neighborhood families to connect and share good times together!

We finish off Riverworks Week 2015 with a street party on Fratney St that lasts from Saturday morning into the evening. Makers and artisans will offer up their goods in a Medina Market. Artists will be creating roller prints with a steamroller because… why not?! There will be a live iron pour demonstration, fun events for kids, DJs, food and beer trucks and, of course, the final round of the Dolphin Pool where the newest member of our Creative District will be announced! This event coincides with Doors Open Milwaukee, which features nearby businesses and spaces, such as Flux Design, this year. More information on Riverworks sites involved in Doors Open Milwaukee can be found at http://www.doorsopenmilwaukee.org.

No matter how you choose to participate in this year’s Riverworks Week—whether as a contestant in the Dolphin Pool or as a customer at the Medina Market—be sure to take a moment to share some food, a laugh, and perhaps your contact information with your new friends in Milwaukee’s Creative District, Riverworks.

Riverworks Week 2015 is from Wednesday, September 16th to Saturday, September 19th. For more information on Riverworks Week 2015, please visit http://riverworksmke.org/week/ .