Milwaukee, WI (May 14, 2025) – Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. (MWF) is excited to announce a new way for the community to get active at Henry Maier Festival Park this spring and summer: FREE open pickleball play is now available at the Aurora Pavilion at Henry Maier Festival Park through Memorial Day - right in the heart of downtown Milwaukee and just steps from beautiful Lake Michigan.
Whether you're a seasoned player or just curious about the game, you’ll enjoy this covered outdoor space featuring three courts, open daily from dawn to dusk on a first-come, first-served basis. Enter through the Mid Gate at Henry Maier Festival Park and head to the south entrance of the Pavilion - don’t forget to bring your own paddle and balls.
FREE instructor-led classes, hosted by Pickleball Kingdom, Prolite Sports, and TEAM LAMMI, will be held on Saturdays, May 17 and 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for all ages – it’s a great way to learn the basics and improve your game—all skill levels are welcome.
“The addition of a pickleball pop-up experience reflects Milwaukee World Festival’s ongoing commitment to creating accessible opportunities for the greater Milwaukee community at Henry Maier Festival Park,” said Sarah Pancheri, President and CEO of MWF. “We’re excited to activate the Park beyond our major events and offer a new space for players to enjoy the game.”
Pickleball will continue at Henry Maier Festival Park this summer with the debut of the Dean’s Dip Pickleball Village during Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance. From June 19–21, June 26–28, and July 3–5, 2025, festivalgoers can enjoy pickleball on the north end of the festival grounds. The Dean’s Dip Pickleball Village at Summerfest will feature two courts and:
- Open play each day of the festival
- Celebrity Pickleball Tournament - organized and run by TEAM LAMMI, a Milwaukee sports marketing and event agency
- Clinics and demos with professional players
- Pickleball vendors including Centerline Athletics, Civile Lifestyle Apparel, Pickleball Kingdom, Prolite Sports, Triple Crown Sports, and more.
- Dipping with Dean's – sampling of new flavors from Dean's Dip.
Grab your paddle and join us at the lakefront - for more details visit www.MilwaukeeWorldFestival.com.
About Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance
Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance is one of the most iconic celebrations of music in America, hosting the industry’s biggest acts for an unforgettable live music experience. Since its inception in 1968, Summerfest continues to distinguish itself as a premier independent national music festival and has developed an unrivaled reputation, consistently featuring hundreds of performances across 12 stages, throughout the 75-acre festival grounds along Lake Michigan. Summerfest will take place over three weekends – June 19-21, June 26-28, July 3-5, 2025. For the latest information, visit Summerfest.com, or Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok: @Summerfest.
Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., producer of Summerfest, continues to fulfill its nonprofit mission of bringing the community together and providing a showcase for performing arts, activities, and recreation to the public, through music and special events.