These neighborhood events attract hundreds, even thousands of people to Riverwest. If you are interested in participating, contact the person listed beneath each event. All events are posted monthly on the Riverwest Currents website. March 15 — St. Patrick’s Pub Crawl (3rd annual) The Pub Crawl was started in 2001 by Erik Peterson. The Crawl includes about a dozen area pubs and benefits Children’s Charities. Contact: Erik Peterson, 414/431-0031. April 19 — Spring Clean-up A neighborhood tradition for years and years when neighbors come together to clean up what the winter season leaves behind after the snow melts. Contact: Email inquiries to the Riverwest Neighborhood Association at rnamail@yahoo.com. June 8 — 27th Annual Locust St. Festival of Music & Art Voted “Best Neighborhood Festival” by Shepherd Express readers in 2001 and 2002. The festival began in 1976 to celebrate the neighborhood’s victory against the city’s plan to widen Locust St. We’ve been celebrating ever since with a Beer Run/Walk, 6 live music venues, 50 exhibitors, community drum circle, kids’ activities, and plenty of dancing in the street with about 15,000 participants. A portion of the proceeds benefits Woodland Pattern Book Center. Contact: Pete Wolbersen, 414/562-2020, Jim Linneman, 414/263-9844,or Tess Reiss at contessa_milw@yahoo.com.Web: www.locust-street.com June 15-October 26 — Gardeners’ Market Gardeners’ Market was begun in 1995 by a group of Riverwest residents and is held every Sunday in Garden Park on Locust & Bremen. The market features fresh produce (some organic), a variety of vendors, and live music by local musicians. Contact: Vince Bushell at vince@riverwestcurrents.org or Tess Reiss at contessa_milw@yahoo.com June 25-August 20 — Gordon Park Grooves A music in the park concert series that began in 2002 after completion of the county’s $3 million renovation of Gordon Park. This summer, concerts will be held every Wednesday evening. Contact:Pete Wolbersen, 414/562-2020 or Jim Linneman, 414/263-9844 July 4 — Independence Day Celebration Another neighborhood tradition for years and years. Free parade, flags, ice cream, music, talent show, and fireworks at dusk in Gordon Park. Contact: Jan Christensen of the 4th of July Committee at email jan@riverwestcurrents.org. August 28 — Pig Fest on Locust St. Locust Street is hosting a Pig Fest as Harley-Davidson celebrates its 100th Anniversary in the city of Milwaukee. The street party will stretch from Humboldt to Fratney and will include a pig roast, music, food, vendors, and other fun stuff. Contact: Pete Wolbersen, 414/562-2020 or Tess Reiss at contessa_milw@yahoo.com September 20 — Center St. Fest & Art Cart Race The fest began in 1997 and last year drew a crowd of several thousand. This year, in addition to the Scavenger Hunt Bike Race, Motorcycle Rally, Outdoor Pool Tournament, and live music, it will also feature the ever popular Art Cart Race (started in 1998) and sponsored by the Riverwest Artists Association. Contact: Steve Johnson, 414/372-3882, Tess Reiss at contessa_milw@yahoo.com, or for the Art Cart Race, Sparky at 414/374-4722. October 4 & 5 — Artwalk Artwalk is a neighborhood-wide “open house for the arts” that began in 1979. Artwalk showcases artists living and working in Riverwest with a walking tour of artists’ homes, studios, and galleries. It is organized and sponsored by RAA and includes about 30 sites with many area restaurants and taverns participating. Contact: Ann Gratch, 414/374-4722.