Brady Street Fest might be on a different Saturday in 2024 because of Harley-Davidson festival

For the first time in 15 years, the annual Brady Street Festival might not be held on the last Saturday of July, this year July 27, after Harley-Davidson announced their Homecoming Festival would be the same weekend.

The Brady Street Business Improvement District, which organizes the street festival, will consider the move during their January 31 meeting, according to Executive Director Michael Sander.

"My big concern is doing what's best for the business and community and citizens of Brady Street. We're trying to navigate all that is going on that weekend," Sander said.

The July weekend tends to be busy in Milwaukee, with German Fest and the Riverwest 24 historically being held the same weekend. Organizers of those two events have announced they will still be held on the last weekend of July this year. In addition to Harley-Davidson announcing their festival will be from July 25 to 28, the Milwaukee Water and Air show is also going to be the same weekend this year, on July 27 and 28.

Sander said that Harley-Davidson's festival was the main consideration, as there is a tradition of bikers heading to bars and restaurants on Brady Street. If Brady Street Festival were held the same weekend, the street would be closed to motorized vehicles on Saturday.

"If we move, it will be because of Harley Fest," Sander said. "My big concern is to make a decision that is beneficial to all the businesses on Brady. Does that mean moving Brady Street Fest and participating in Harley Fest? That's a possibility.

"I think it shows a lot of community spirit by adjusting the date, potentially," he said.

Sander could not say what other dates they were considering at this time. He hopes to announce an official decision next week.

"We're probably two weeks behind schedule trying to navigate this," he said. "My goal is to capitalize on everything and have the best business exposure, whether that is to change the date or not. Either way, it will still be successful."

Brady Street Festival was first held annually from 1974 to 1981. It was rebooted in 2007 and has been held on the last Saturday of July every year since, except for a two-year hiatus because the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is one of the most popular annual street festivals in Milwaukee, featuring many local musicians, along with food and merchandise vendors.

Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival changes

Harley-Davidson announced last week that the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jelly Roll, and Hardy will headline a two-day music festival in Veterans Park on July 26 and 27.

It's the first time the festival will be held annually. Last year, the 120th anniversary festival, was the first time the festival was held in July. It was earlier in the month in 2023, from July 13 to 16, with headliners Green Day and Foo Fighters.

Before that, the last major Harley-Davidson festival was for the 115th anniversary in 2018 as part of a pattern of celebrating the company's major anniversaries over Labor Day weekend every five years.

Piet Levy of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brady Street Fest might move its date because of Harley-Davidson festival