The Great Milwaukee Summer is HERE! Your guide to what you'll be doing, where you'll be drinking, who you'll be hearing and how you'll be getting a sweet tan this summer is on OnMilwaukee. The Great Milwaukee Summer guide is brought to you by Educators Credit Union and Harley-Davidson Museum.
The Kwik Trip Tour of America’s Dairyland (ToAD) celebrates its 14th year this month and returns to West Allis for the second year in a row. The 11-day race will cruise through 11 different southeastern communities from June 15-25 and residents are encouraged to come out and cheer on the bicyclists.
The event features professional announcers who will explain the basics of the races to newbies. Basically, it's a family-friendly neighborhood block party with entertainment, food, drink – and it's free to attend!
The Kwik Trip Tour of America’s Dairyland is the longest competitive multi-day road cycling event in the United States. It attracts roughly 500 pro and amateur racers of all ages and genders from around the world.
The Tour’s sixth stop is in West Allis’ Becher Street neighborhood for “The Cheese Wheel Classic” on Tuesday, June 20. During the event, eight-10 races are held from late morning to dusk – approximately 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“I enjoy the race and I like sponsoring, but most importantly, the neighbors love it,” says Mark Lutz, who is the owner of West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe and a sponsor of the race.
For a full schedule of TOaD stops throughout the state, go here. For those planning to observe the fun from West Allis, here are 6 spots we recommend that are on the route and have outdoor space and/or seating.
1. Pete’s Pops
1977 S. 71st St., (414) 817-0390
Grab a shady seat or bring your own and enjoy the races with a tasty frozen treat in hand. We highly recommend the salted watermelon.
2. West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe
6832 W. Becher St., (414) 543-4230
During the races, West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe will offer its full menu booth indoors and on its Becher-facing patio. There will also be a New Glarus beer trailer slinging beers and brats.
3. Station No. 6
6800 W. Beecher St., (414) 543-4230
Station No. 6 will open early for the races at 11 a.m. with an outdoor brat-and-beer stand.
4. The Bake Sale
6923 W. Becher St. (414) 543-4230
The Bake Sale will offer its full menu with outdoor seating in front of the building for optimum race viewing. The biz will expand its hours until after the race ends.
5. Wild Roots
6807 W. Becher St., (414) 231-9081
Wild Roots is open for the entire race and will serve its entire wild menu including the scrumptious duck fat burger.
6. The Drunk Uncle
1902 S. 68th St.
A little off the main drag means plenty of room to spread out and check out the races. The bar opens early for the event and tap adult beverages (indoors only) for racegoers 21 years and older. And if you really do have a drunk uncle, you should probably leave him at home for this one. It's is a family-friendly event. Ope!
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
