Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 to host free lunches, Office Challenge Games, giveaways and more, Aug. 30 – Sept. 3
MILWAUKEE (August 16, 2021) – Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 will team up with downtown businesses and community leaders to welcome back downtown employees during the 16th annual Downtown Employee Appreciation Week, Aug. 30 – Sept. 3, 2021. The weeklong celebration will feature free lunches, Office Challenge Games and after- hours socials.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music and prize opportunities at Red Arrow Park will kick things off on Monday, Aug. 30 at 11:45 a.m. Lunch for 1,000 employees will be provided by Tatay’s Truck and Davians, while supplies last. Plus, three local caricaturists will be onsite creating free caricatures for downtown employees and Dave Watkins will be painting in Red Arrow Park as part of the Art in the Park series. Throughout the week, lunchtime giveaways and live music will travel to various downtown locations and include 1,000-item treats ranging from subs and hot dogs to ice cream and cookies.
In addition to food and live music, employees can play the Office Challenge Games, which include Corporate Ladder, Paper Clip Toss and Donut Dunk. Daily prizes are up for grabs for the top contenders in each game. All lunchtime activities will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Red Arrow Park (Monday, Aug. 30), Pere Marquette Park (Tuesday, Aug. 31), Schiltz Park (Wednesday, Sept. 1), Zeidler Union Square (Thursday, Sept. 2), and Pere Marquette Park (Friday, Sept. 3).
New this year, employees can take a moment for movement with free daily wellness sessions supported by Lululemon and offered by various fitness instructors. Advance registration will be required for all fitness classes. Downtown employees can enjoy beer and bags among the company of friends and colleagues along the Milwaukee RiverWalk from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mason Street Landing. On Wednesday, Sept. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., downtown employees can get their first shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the Aurora clinic with no appointment necessary, with the second shot scheduled for a later date. Later that evening, co-workers can team up for the first “I Work Downtown” Bocce Ball night at Marcus Performing Arts Center, with two sessions offered at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Advance registration is required at iworkdowntownmke.com, with no fee to participate.
In addition to daily events, Milwaukee Downtown offers special events throughout the week. Employees and a guest can paddle downtown’s waterways on Monday, Aug. 30 and Wednesday, Sept. 1, thanks to Milwaukee Kayak Company. Register at www.milwaukeekayak.com to book one of three launch times (4:30 p.m., 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.) A $15/person reservation fee is also required.
On Thursday, Sept. 2, the downtown workforce can enjoy free music over the lunch hour during PNC Presents Tunes@Noon at the courtyard of the 411 East Wisconsin Center from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Later that evening, downtown employees can enjoy a complimentary drink, with proof of employment, during Rainbow Summer at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. The featured performer of the night is De La Buena.
Crowd-favorite activities returning this year include daily rounds of the Bucks Basketball Shootout, the World’s Largest Coffee Break in Catalano Square at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31, and “I Work Downtown” Trivia competitions presented by VISIT Milwaukee at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31 at The Brown Bottle and on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. at SportClub. Advance registration is required for participation in trivia and can be completed at www.iworkdowntownmke.com. Plus, five winners will be selected to receive a Downtown Employee Appreciation Week prize if they ride The Hop to the World’s Largest Coffee Break on Tuesday, Aug. 31 or to the trivia competition at SportClub on Thursday, Sept. 2.
“Our annual homecoming event is our way of not only welcoming Milwaukee’s dedicated workforce back to downtown, but also creating an experience that draws people to our vibrant work environment,” said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “This year’s celebration is our way of thanking all of our downtown employees for being part of our growing workforce.”
Downtown Employee Appreciation Week will conclude with a closing ceremony featuring live music, games and lunch for 1,000 downtown employees on Friday, Sept. 3 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Pere Marquette Park. In addition, completed Downtown Employee Appreciation Week passports will be pulled for a prize drawing that recognizes employees who participated in three or more events. Passports must be turned in by 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3 to a Public Service Ambassador to be eligible for the drawing.
Downtown Employee Appreciation Week will be held in accordance with local and state health and safety guidelines. For this reason, events are subject to change. Masks will be encouraged at indoor events regardless of individuals’ vaccination status. Information on the passport, event registration, daily giveaways and employee discounts are available at www.iworkdowntownmke.com.
About Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21
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Milwaukee Downtown, Business Improvement District #21, is an organization established in 1998 to support the interests of the Downtown Milwaukee business community. Created through private sector leadership, Milwaukee Downtown is a management district organization that oversees 150 square blocks representing approximately 500 property owners in the center of Downtown Milwaukee. The organization funds specific initiatives aimed at creating a clean, safe and friendly Downtown. More info available at www.milwaukeedowntown.com.
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