In the 1960s, Milwaukee’s mayor, Henry Maier, boarded a plane to Germany with a big idea. He wanted to see Munich’s world-famous Oktoberfest firsthand—the beer, the music, the joy that brought millions together every fall.

What he found wasn’t just a festival. It was a celebration of community—a gathering where strangers became friends at long wooden tables, where families shared meals, and where music and laughter filled the air.

Mayor Maier came home inspired. He dreamed of creating a space in Milwaukee where our city could celebrate its heritage and gather in the same spirit of Bavarian joy. That dream became Henry Maier Festival Park—the Summerfest grounds where we still celebrate today.