Milwaukee Magazine

Few people have contributed more to the lives of Black Milwaukeeans over the last sixty years than Reuben Harpole. From collaborations with Milwaukee Public Schools with long-running initiatives like Homework First, to bringing the pride and principles of African heritage to Milwaukee youth with the Rite of Passage Program, to his contributions to our city’s pioneering Black newspaper, the Milwaukee Star, Harpole has helped to empower Milwaukee’s Black youth since the 1960s.

Read more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/juneteenth-parade-grand-marshall-reuben-harpole/

Story by: Tad Kriofske Mainella
Photo: Courtesy of Wisconsin Black Historical Society and Museum

We spoke to the founder of Private Palate and creator of The Mood Food Method about wellness.

Learn more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/britta-kramer-wellness-advice/

At long last, Summerfest is finally here. It’s the Big Gig, the jewel in summer’s crown, the one Milwaukee festival to rule them all.

Thus, the eternal question: Who should I see? With over 600 acts across 12 stages in nine days, there’s all sorts of answers. We at Milwaukee Magazine have a few suggestions to get you started as we enter the first weekend of musical mayhem.

Read more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/editors-picks-weekend-one-summerfest-2026/

Photo by: Deb Schaefer

A Children’s Wisconsin doctor explains why doctor visits are important – from our MilMag Mini kids edition.

Learn more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/milmag-mini-so-what-happens-when-you-go-to-the-doctor/

Kris Kodrich has been going to Summerfest since the very first festival in 1968. Attending nearly every one of them since has shaped his entire life. You can read all about his decades of Big Gig devotion in our June issue feature “Growing Up and Growing Old at Summerfest.”

We asked Kodrich to share to share the shows he’s most excited to catch at this year’s fest.

Read what he had to say: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/summerfest-fanatics-10-must-see-shows-2026/

The band Chicago was playing one of its biggest hits when it hit me just how long I’ve been coming here.

I was standing at the BMO Pavilion at Summerfest last summer, listening to “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is,” looking out over the crowd along the lakefront. I’d heard the band play it at Summerfest before – probably more than once.

Read the full feature story: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/how-summerfest-shaped-one-mans-life-and-love-of-music

Story by: Kris Kodrich
Photos: Courtesy of Kris Kodrich

This story originally appeared in our June 2026 issue. Ensure every month’s issue is delivered right to your door for less than $20 a year. Subscribe now: https://tr.ee/MilMagSubscribe

The Founder and CEO of goGLOW discusses beauty trends, tanning and more.

Learn more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/qa-melanie-richards-talks-summer-beauty/

It’s a big weekend in Milwaukee, with Summerfest kicking off, Juneteenth and much more.

Read more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/15-things-to-do-in-milwaukee-this-weekend-june-18-21/

Story by: Anya Kelley
Photo by: Deb Schaefer

The ferris wheel spins, Lake Michigan glistens in the summer air, and music from every genre fills the air. In the hustle and bustle of the fairgrounds, it becomes clear that Summerfest is a celebration of Milwaukee.

When you plan your Summerfest excursion, make sure not to miss the array of Wisconsin-born and local artists – from Milwaukee and beyond – who fill this year’s lineup.

Read the full guide to Wisconsinites performing at Summerfest this year: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/wisconsin-artists-summerfest-2026/

Story by: Jane Patterson
Photo by: Deb Schaefer

Summerfest kicks off this week. But if you’re not up for The Big Gig, there are plenty of smaller beer events happening in Milwaukee.

Read more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/8-beer-events-brewing-in-milwaukee-this-week-june-17-20/

Story by: Dan Murphy
Photo: Courtesy of Getty