Milwaukee’s parks are more than green spaces—they’re places where we gather, play, explore, connect, and create memories. In this episode, we meet with the Milwaukee Parks Foundation to learn more about the organization working to help create a thriving, vibrant, and equitable park system for everyone.

We also talk about Go Green for Parks, the Foundation’s annual fundraising event, happening September 15 at South Shore Terrace, and why supporting our parks matters now and for future generations.

In this episode we cover:

🌳 What the Milwaukee Parks Foundation is and how it works alongside Milwaukee County Parks

🌱 The Foundation’s mission and why philanthropic support for our parks is so important

🏞️ Some of the biggest challenges facing Milwaukee County Parks

💚 How donations to the Milwaukee Parks Foundation make an impact

🙌 Ways you can get involved—including volunteering

🍻 What to expect at Go Green for Parks

🌿 How Go Green for Parks supports the future of Milwaukee County Parks

✨ Why this annual event is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of our parks and the people who love them

🌳 Go Green for Parks

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 5–8 PMSouth Shore Terrace2900 S. Shore Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53207

Grab your best green outfit and join fellow park lovers for an evening celebrating Milwaukee County’s incredible park system. Guests can enjoy activities, drinks, appetizers, entertainment, and more while supporting the future of our parks.

🎟️ Tickets: Starting at $50

👉 Get your tickets: https://mkeparksfoundation.org/gogreen/

🌿 Learn More & Get Involved

Milwaukee Parks Foundation🌐 https://mkeparksfoundation.org/

The Milwaukee Parks Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to collectively stewarding a thriving park system and building a vibrant and equitable park system for all. The Foundation supports Milwaukee County Parks through fundraising, partnerships, community engagement, and advocacy. (Milwaukee Parks Foundation)

Want to get involved? You can donate, volunteer in the parks, share your park story, attend Foundation events, or stay connected with what’s happening throughout the year. (Milwaukee Parks Foundation)

📱 Instagram: @mkeparksfoundation Facebook: Milwaukee Parks Foundation

Follow the Milwaukee Parks Foundation for park updates, events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support our parks.

🎙️ Connect with One of a Kind Milwaukee

Follow along for more Milwaukee events, local finds, food & drink, weekend adventures, and all the things that make Milwaukee one of a kind.

Instagram: @1ofakindmke

In this episode, we’re talking all things Botanical Battle Royale with Brandon of Bittercube! We dive into the inspiration behind this unique cocktail competition, the talented Wisconsin bartenders competing, the role of botanicals in cocktails, the People’s Choice competition, and what guests can expect at this year’s event.

Hosted by Bittercube Bitters & Heirloom Liqueurs, in collaboration with the Pour Inc. Group, Botanical Battle Royale takes place Saturday, September 19 from 1–5 PM at the historic Muellner Building in Wauwatosa. Guests can sample signature cocktails, Wisconsin spirits, local food truck offerings, and vote for their favorite cocktail.

Get your tickets & event details:
Bittercube Botanical Battle Royale Tickets

2026 Sporkies/Drinkies Report Out 🎡🍴🍹

10 hours. 12 vendors. A whole lot of food and drink. And my mom as my fair buddy!

For this year’s Wisconsin State Fair food adventure, Mom and I spent 10 hours making our way through the fair, sampling food and drinks, meeting vendors, and gathering the stories behind some of the things you’ll find at the fair.

In this episode, I’m sharing the 2026 Sporkies/Drinkies Report Out, featuring interviews and answers to questions from many of the vendors we connected with throughout our day.

You’ll hear directly from vendors about their businesses, their featured fair offerings, and what makes their food or drink worth seeking out at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Featured vendors included:

* All Things Jerky* Leff’s Lucky Town* Flying Solo* WurstBar MKE* KnuckleHead Eagle* Olympia Granola Bars* Saz’s Hospitality Group* Cheese Curd Tacos* Root Beer MKE* Charlie’s Fair Foods* …and more!

❤️ A Special Thank You to Our Collaboration Partners

A huge thank you to the vendors who collaborated with One of a Kind Milwaukee and helped make this episode and our 2026 Wisconsin State Fair coverage possible:

@allthingsjerky @leffsluckytown @flyingsolobar @wurstbarmke @knuckleheadeagle @olympiagranolabars @sazshospitalitygroup

We appreciate you welcoming us, sharing your stories, answering questions, and allowing the opportunity to feature your products as part of this year’s Sporkies/Drinkies coverage!

Also Featured

We also purchased and sampled items from several additional vendors during our fair adventure, including:

@cheesecurdtacos @rootbeermke @charliesfairfoods @Rootbeermke (Facebook)

These vendors were not collaboration partners but were included because we wanted to experience and share more of the Wisconsin State Fair food and drink scene with you.

This week on One of a Kind Milwaukee, I’m taking you to Elkhorn Ribfest—one of southeastern Wisconsin’s tastiest summer traditions! Now I finally had the chance to attend this yearly event. From sampling award-winning ribs to chatting with championship pitmasters, this episode is packed with smoky flavors, BBQ tips, and everything you need to know before heading out.

Whether you’re a backyard grill master or simply love discovering great local events, you’ll get an inside look at what makes Ribfest such a fun weekend destination.

Why This Story Matters

Summer festivals are about more than great food—they bring communities together and celebrate the people behind the craft. Meeting the pitmasters and hearing the passion, techniques, and traditions that go into competition BBQ made this experience even more memorable.

What We Get Into

• My first impressions of Elkhorn Ribfest
• Why it’s one of Wisconsin’s must-visit summer festivals
• Sampling award-winning ribs from local and international pitmasters
• An interview with Mr. Green’s BBQ and their signature Wisconsin-inspired approach
• An interview with Aussom Aussie BBQ and how Australian influences create a completely different rib experience
• Why you should add Ribfest to your summer bucket list

Meet the Featured Pitmasters

Mr. Green’s BBQ

Representing Wisconsin, Mr. Green’s BBQ shared the secrets behind their award-winning ribs, including their unique 4-1 cooking method, a flavorful dry-rub style, and the use of Wisconsin honey as part of their cooking process. Their commitment to local ingredients and balanced flavors makes them a standout on the competition circuit.

Aussom Aussie BBQ

Bringing authentic Australian BBQ traditions to Ribfest, Aussom Aussie BBQ takes a different approach by smoking their ribs over fruit woods and incorporating fruit into their signature barbecue sauce. The result is a naturally balanced sweetness and acidity without relying heavily on vinegar, finished with a beautifully crisp, caramelized glaze.

Connect with the Pitmasters

Be sure to follow Mr. Green’s BBQ and Aussom Aussie on social media to see where they’ll be competing next and to support these incredible pitmasters beyond Ribfest.

About One of a Kind Milwaukee

One of a Kind Milwaukee is your guide to discovering the people, places, events, and experiences that make Milwaukee—and the surrounding communities—so special. From local festivals and hidden gems to food, entertainment, and inspiring stories, there’s always something new to explore.

Stay Connected

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow foodies and festival lovers. You can also follow One of a Kind Milwaukee on social media for more local events, interviews, and weekend inspiration.

The countdown to the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair is officially on! In this episode, I’m giving you a preview of this year’s incredible lineup of new food and beverages coming to the fairgrounds.

Of course, we’re talking about the famous Sporkies and Drinkies competition entries, but that’s only part of the story. There are dozens of additional new foods and drinks making their debut this year, and I’m sharing some of the ones that have me most excited to grab a bite (or a sip!) when the fair opens.

I’m also giving you a look ahead at what’s coming up next on One of a Kind Milwaukee, including an interview with Graze Craze and a special post-event recap from Elkhorn Ribfest.

What We Get Into

* A preview of the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair’s newest foods and beverages

* A breakdown of this year’s Sporkies and Drinkies entries

* What’s new beyond the Sporkies and Drinkies competition

* My personal must-try food and drink picks

* Tips for planning your Wisconsin State Fair foodie adventure

* A preview of my upcoming Graze Craze interview

* A preview of my upcoming Elkhorn Ribfest recap episode

Resources Mentioned

The official 2026 Wisconsin State Fair New Foods & Beverages Guide includes every new food and beverage debuting this year, along with descriptions and vendor locations.

Official New Foods & Beverages Guide:

https://wistatefair.com/fair/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026_New_Foods_List_FINAL_V4.pdf

Wisconsin State Fair New Foods page:

https://wistatefair.com/fair/new-foods/

Coming Up on One of a Kind Milwaukee

* Graze Craze – I’ll be sitting down with the team behind Graze Craze to learn more about their beautiful grazing boards, the story behind their business, and why they’ve become a favorite for entertaining and special occasions.

* Elkhorn Ribfest – I’ll be attending the 10th Annual Elkhorn Ribfest, happening July 15–19, 2026, at the Walworth County Fairgrounds in Elkhorn. After the festival, I’ll share my favorite BBQ, event highlights, and whether it’s worth adding to your Wisconsin summer bucket list.

About One of a Kind Milwaukee

One of a Kind Milwaukee is your guide to discovering the people, places, events, restaurants, and experiences that make Milwaukee—and Wisconsin—one of a kind. From hidden gems and local favorites to seasonal festivals, local businesses, and weekend adventures, each episode is designed to help you experience more of what makes our community so special.

Stay Connected

Instagram:

@1ofakindmke

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s already planning their Wisconsin State Fair food lineup.

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode of One of a Kind Milwaukee!

Thinking about booking the Dive Bar at a DockHounds game? I recently had the chance to experience this unique group space firsthand, and in this episode I’m sharing my honest take on what it’s like—from the view of the field and the game-day atmosphere to the food, drinks, and why it’s such a fun option for groups.

I’ll also walk through the different hospitality spaces available around the ballpark, who they’re best suited for, and highlight some of the upcoming promotional nights, themed games, giveaways, and ticket offers that make planning a visit even more exciting.

If you’re looking for a unique outing for friends, family, coworkers, or a special celebration, this episode will help you decide if the DockHounds Dive Bar is the right fit.

New to the DockHounds? Be sure to check out my earlier interview episode featuring Justin Hunt and Dominic Stearn from the DockHounds organization. In that conversation, we took a deeper dive into:

• The DockHounds’ 5th Anniversary season
• Theme nights and special promotions
• The Wisconsin Dive Bar Takeover concept
• Ticket packages and fan experiences
• Group outing opportunities
• Food and beverage offerings
• Community involvement
• Behind-the-scenes stories, including the team’s beloved bat dogs and Colt’s retirement

Think of this episode as the guest perspective, while the interview offers the inside story directly from the team.

Whether you’re a baseball fan, planning a group outing, or simply looking for another one-of-a-kind Wisconsin experience, I hope this episode helps you plan your next visit to the ballpark.

⚾ Thanks for listening to One of a Kind Milwaukee

As someone who attends a lot of concerts throughout the year, I’ve started noticing some changes in concert culture—and I have thoughts.

In this episode, I’m sharing my take on concert etiquette, from standing versus sitting and scream-singing every lyric to phone usage, crowd behavior, ear plugs, and navigating venue bag policies.

This isn’t about taking the fun out of live music. It’s about making sure everyone gets to enjoy the experience they paid for.

Do you agree with my takes? I’d love to hear your biggest concert pet peeves and the etiquette rules you think every concert-goer should know.

Milwaukee officially said: welcome to summer chaos. ☀️

In this mini episode of One of a Kind Milwaukee, Angela shares her picks for what feels like the unofficial kickoff to Milwaukee’s crazy summer schedule — from beloved lakefront traditions to foodie pop-ups and neighborhood gems.

In this episode, we cover:

• IKEA Family Kite Festival at Veterans Park — a true lakefront summer classic 🎏

• Thirst Books’ 1-Year Anniversary featuring local authors, women-owned pop-ups, giveaways, and romance-reader heaven 📚

• Dominic the Food Reviewer’s Grilled Cheese Pop-Up at Zócalo (yes, pre-orders are available 🧀)

• Rosé Fest at Strange Town for patio vibes, shopping, and a girls-day-worthy outing 🍷

• Cooper Park Paint the Pavement community art event 🎨

• Hoyt Pool’s opening weekend in Wauwatosa 💦

Some events are the big Milwaukee staples, some are smaller local finds, and some are simply things Angela personally thinks deserve a spot on your weekend radar.

Whether you’re doing all the things or just picking one fun stop, consider this your weekend inspiration guide.

Follow One of a Kind Milwaukee for more local finds, food, events, and hidden gems around Milwaukee and beyond.

In this episode, we are talking all things Lake Country DockHounds as they celebrate their 5th anniversary season 🎉

We sat down with Justin Hunt and Dominic Stearn to get the inside scoop on what makes DockHounds baseball more than just a game—it’s a full-on summer experience.

From themed nights and ticket deals to fan-favorite traditions (yes… including the bat dogs 🐶), this episode covers everything you need to plan your next night out.

• Celebrating the 5th anniversary season and how far the team has come
• What makes a DockHounds game a must-do summer activity
• 🎉 Themed game nights like
• 🍻 The Wisconsin Dive Bar Takeover—a hyper-local, high-energy fan experience
• 🎟️ Ticket packages & specials
• 👥 Group outing opportunities for friends, companies & celebrations
• 🌭 Food & beverage highlights—classic ballpark eats + local-inspired favorites
• ⚾ A look at the players and where their baseball journeys can take them
• 🐶 The story behind the beloved bat dogs and Colt’s retirement

Whether you’re a baseball fan or just looking for your next fun summer night, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at a great experience—where community, creativity, and baseball all come together.

Ready to check out a game for yourself?

👉 Visit the official website:
https://www.dockhounds.com

There you can:

• View the full game schedule
• Explore themed nights & promotions
• Grab tickets or group packages
• Stay up to date on all things DockHounds

Games are played at WBC Park in Oconomowoc, WI—a perfect summer destination just outside Milwaukee.

Spring break, but make it Kalahari Resorts style.

One weekend, one resort, and somehow we managed to pack in waterpark thrills, mini golf, laser tag, spa time, games, great food, and plenty of laughs along the way.

One of the best parts? Our 3-bedroom suite meant we had plenty of room to spread out and come together — reading by the fireplace, hanging around the dining table for games, and planning the next adventure.

And when everything is under one roof… you don’t even have to leave when someone forgets their swimsuit. Yep — the onsite shops saved the day for my youngest brother.

Safe to say this getaway delivered big fun and even bigger memories.

Ready to plan your own trip?

This Spring Break use code 1OFAKIND through the link in my bio to take up to 20% off. Book by April 30 for stays through December 31, 2026.

#KalahariPartner #KalahariSpringBreak #FamilyFun #ThingstoDo