Downtown worker appreciation event brings free lunch, games
Downtown Employee Appreciation Week is back in Milwaukee with free lunches, games and live music.
Downtown Employee Appreciation Week runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3. It is a collaborative project from Milwaukee Downtown Business Improvement District 21, local businesses and community leaders.
The week dedicated to Milwaukee’s downtown workers is now in its 16th year.
“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 in a news release. “This year’s celebration is our way of thanking all of our downtown employees for being part of our growing workforce.”
A free lunch giveaway will take place every day during the week at different locations across downtown. Other daily activities include wellness sessions, Bucks Basketball Shootout and Office Challenge Games including Corporate Ladder, Paper Clip Toss and Donut Dunk.
The celebratory week also features kayaking on the Milwaukee River, a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, trivia and happy hours.
The full listing of events is available at www.iworkdowntownmke.com.
Here’s what to expect for lunches throughout the week:
Monday, Aug. 30
Free lunch for 1,000 employees from Tatay’s Truck (formerly Meat on the Street) and Davians starting at 11:45 a.m. in Red Arrow Park. The lunch event will have live music and caricaturists creating free caricatures.
Tuesday, Aug. 31
The World’s Largest Coffee Break will take place at 9:30 a.m. in Catalano Square.
Cousins Subs will hand out 1,000 mini subs and bags of chips starting at 11:45 in Pere Marquette Park. Milwaukee County Historical Society will give out 500 scoops of ice creams and Fiddleheads Coffee will provide 500 coffee drinks and 400 bakery items.
Wednesday, Sept. 1
Hot dogs from Bev’s Catering will be handed out to 1,000 downtown workers at Schlitz Park starting at 11:45 a.m. JP Cullen will provide chips.
Thursday, Sept. 2
The main free-lunch item is yet to be announced. It will be served starting at 11:45 a.m. at Zeidler Union Square. Desserts from Midway Bakery and cookies from DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Milwaukee Downtown will also be served.
Friday, Sept. 3
Brats and chips for 1,000 people will be given away by Modern Maintenance at Pere Marquette Park starting at 11:45 a.m. Corner Bakery Cafe will provide chocolate chip cookies while KEI hands out oranges and the Milwaukee Police Department serves ice cream cups.