The African Cultural Festival returns to Milwaukee this summer to celebrate art, music and food

Alex Groth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read

For the first time in years, Milwaukeeans can celebrate African culture during an ethnic and cultural showcase at Brown Deer Park in July. This year's celebration features a day full of traditional African Art, curated music, food tasting and a dance demonstration.

Three woman came together to bring the African Cultural Festival back to the Milwaukee area and hope it will share culture with community and also help raise funds for African refugee programming.

"This event is about truly sharing culture and the contributions of native Africans to our economic, social, political and cultural fabric of Milwaukee," said Yollande Tchouapi, one of the organizers. "Milwaukee is stronger when diversity is showcased and when the vibrancy of our city is shared."

Here's what to know about this year's African Cultural Festival hosted in Milwaukee this July.

When is the African Cultural Festival?

The African Cultural Festival is scheduled for July 6, 2024 from noon until 7 p.m. The festival will be at Brown Deer Park (areas 2 and 3). The park is at 7835 N. Green Bay Road in Milwaukee. You can find a map and directions to the event here.

You do not need a ticket to attend the festival. It is free to attend and open to the public.

What's the African Cultural Festival 2024 lineup?

Lucky Diop runs an African drum circle at Summerfest on Saturday, June 29, 2019. Passersby stopped to join the circle and play for as long as they liked while many festival attendees stopped to observe.
Lucky Diop runs an African drum circle at Summerfest on Saturday, June 29, 2019. Passersby stopped to join the circle and play for as long as they liked while many festival attendees stopped to observe.

Kicking off around noon, the festival starts with opening remarks and a "parade of nations," highlighting more than a dozen different African nations. Attendees can also enjoy a taste of African cuisine, a showcase of African art and a children's area run by Fit 4 Life.

The 2024 lineup also includes the following musicians, dance groups and artists:

  • African Gospel Music-City of Praise

  • Traditional Dance- Umu-Ada Dance Group

  • Fashion Show-Traditional and Contemporary African Attire

  • Medley of African Musical Instruments-Lucky Diop

  • Traditional Dance-The Nefertari Group

During the festival, vendors will also sell various arts, fashion and jewelry in the park.

For more information:

You can visit its website at africanstakeholdersinc.org or direct questions to its email at info@[email protected].

You can also follow the African Cultural Festival on Facebook and Instagram.

Here's how to sponsor or donate to the festival:

The festival is looking for sponsorships and donations to help provide programming for African immigrants and refugees.

To donate to support African refugee programming you can give via Zelle at [email protected] or via mail to the African Cultural Festival Committee at 11512 N. Port Washington Road, Suite 201D in Mequon.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: African Cultural Festival 2024: Food, music, culture, fashion

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