FESTIVAL SEASON KICKS OFF IN MAY

Warm weather brings EXCITEMENT to metro area

VISITORS AND MILWAUKEEANS know that the metro area explodes with activity as the temperatures warm up.

After a tough winter that had even the hardiest Midwesterners begging to hang up their snow shovels, the focus is on warm weather fun.

The spring calendar sports a full range of activities that can be enjoyed rain or shine. Summer brings on favorite annual events as well as special 2008 happenings.

The city's own "boys of summer," the Milwaukee Brewers, are off to a hot start this season. Baseball fans never are disappointed here, thanks to Miller Park's retractable roof. And even if the home team is on the road, you can get an up-close tour of the stadium from the dugout to the press box.

If you're a golfer, Key Milwaukee's golf columns can cue you into the beauties (and the beasts) among the areaÕs courses. Gardeners can enjoy the greens at Boerner Botanical Gardens and Villa Terrace.

Two events that are local favorites say "Hello" to summer. From May 29-June 5, 30 downtown Milwaukee restaurants participate in Downtown Dining Week. Last year more than 45,000 diners took advantage of the promotion. Restaurants offer three-course meals at $10 for lunch and $20 for dinner. Adding to the fun will be the annual RiverSplash Festival May 30 to June 1 along the Milwaukee River in downtown Milwaukee.

Polish Fest opens the lakefront ethnic festival season June 20-22. This rapidly growing festival offers visitors authentic music, food and shopping opportunities, as well as cultural demonstrations. It's a "two-fer" on Lake Michigan's downtown shores that weekend, because the nationally recognized Lakefront Festival of Arts also is scheduled that weekend.

June also marks the start of the city's popular Jazz in the Park concerts, held every Thursday evening beginning June 5 in Cathedral Square Park in Downtown Milwaukee. And on June 21, the Summer Soulstice Music Festival will fill three stages on E. North Avenue from Oakland to Prospect avenues.

The area really heats up at the end of June. Summerfest, the world's largest music festival, begins its 11-day run June 26 at the lakefront festival grounds.

Historic Cedarburg celebrates the Midwest's most popular berry at its annual Strawberry Festival June 28 and 29. Also north of the city, Port Washington will welcome five historic "tall ships" at the 9th annual Port Washington Maritime Heritage Festival, Aug. 15-17.

Get a true taste of Milwaukee at the farmers markets held throughout the metro area. See the KEY Feature on page 52 for info on locations and opening dates.

One of the city's favorite markets is in East Town, where Bastille Days offers free festival fun and a taste of Paris.

Festa Italiana was the first of Milwaukee's ethnic festivals and is known for spectacular fireworks that light up the Lake Michigan shoreline July 17-20. Oom-pah bands and much more signal German Fest the next weekend.

The Wisconsin State Fair truly has something for everyone, from headline entertainment to racing pigs to luscious cream puffs. The fair kicks off July 31 and runs for 11 days.

Other August events appeal to all the senses as well. Milwaukee A La Carte at the zoo (taste) Morning Glory Art Fair (sight) and Historic Third Ward Jazz Festival (sound).

Mexican Fiesta brings fun and fiesta to the lakefront, while Indian Summer Festival winds up the ethnic festival season the weekend after Labor Day.

This year, Harley-Davidson celebrates a 105th anniversary throughout the Milwaukee metro area. The roar of Milwaukee iron will dominate the landscape Aug. 28-31.

Before your visit, be sure to check out KeyMilwaukee.com for a detailed look at what's happening. You can check out the current issue of the magazine and book your hotel on KeyMilwaukee.com. You also can sign up for the newly launched monthly e-newsletter, offering special coupons and activity tips found nowhere else.