Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.
Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. is an independent, private 501©(3) corporation founded in 1965 that produces Summerfest, presented by American Family Insurance, a three-weekend festival that typically generates millions in economic impact for the community each year. Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. also maintains and improves Henry Maier Festival Park, located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, WI. In addition to Summerfest, Henry Maier Festival Park hosts a variety of ethnic and cultural festivals, concerts, walks, runs, and other special events.
The mission of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. is to promote an understanding of different ethnic cultures, the histories and traditions of various nationalities, harmony in the community, civic pride and provide a showcase for performing arts, activities and recreation for the public and employment opportunities for the youth of the community.
Impact
Bob Babisch earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre-Acting at the UWM Peck School of the Arts in 1974. His wife, Tammy Babisch, graduated from UWM, and their son Bennett (Ben) earned his UWM Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation Science in 2021. Actor, author, and artist daughter Jennie is currently attending Southern Oregon University. With this gift to his hometown alma mater, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., honors the remarkable legacy of Bob Babisch after 47 years of service leading its entertainment department. Babisch, who joined Milwaukee World Festival in 1976, has been in his current position of vice president of entertainment for most of those years, leading the team that handles booking and production for all concerts during Summerfest and other shows held at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater and BMO Harris Pavilion. Babisch will retire after the 2022 season, retaining a consulting role with Milwaukee World Festival (MFW).