Ethnic Festivals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
An economic impact study
university of wisconsin
whitewaterFiscal and Economic Research Center
Each summer, hundreds of thousands of patrons flock to Milwaukee to
enjoy ethnic festivals. These events not only promote understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds, they also inject millions of dollars into the regional economy.
Milwaukee hosts multiple ethnic celebrations – Polish Fest, Arab Fest, German Fest, African World Festival, Festa Italiana, Irish Fest, Mexican Fiesta, and Indian Summer – providing a bold splash of food, drinks, music, art and dance. Because of these festivals and fairs, Milwaukee has earned the nickname “City of Festivals,” further enhancing its reputation as a culturally rich place.
This report explores the economic impact of these festivals, and includes an in-depth look at four of them:
Mexican Fiesta began in 1973, when a south side street was closed to traffic to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. It marked the first time the neighborhood came together to celebrate with others through music, food and dance. This perennial event grew larger, and in 1977, Mexican Fiesta moved to Henry W. Maier Festival Park, where it now takes place every year for three days. It is Wisconsin’s largest Mexican Festival, showcasing Mexican heritage, and encouraging young Hispanics to pursue education.
Festa Italiana began in 1978 to reunite an Italian community torn apart by urban renewal projects. Today, it is the largest Italian-American festival in the United States. The three-day festival
takes place at Henry W. Maier Festival Park and celebrates food, family and fireworks. Furthermore, this festival offers unique music entertainment ranging from Italian opera to jazz and rock and roll, as well as a parade.
Milwaukee Irish Fest debuted in 1981 at Henry W. Maier Festival Park as a way for Milwaukee to celebrate its Gaelic heritage in a city known for its German roots. Today, it is the world’s largest celebration of Irish, Irish American and Celtic music and culture. Each year, Milwaukee Irish Fest brings in more than 100 acts from around the world to perform on 16 stages. The festival also features a Cultural Village with language, arts, genealogy and more. Guests can also find Celtic canines, sports, dance, food, and shopping throughout the grounds. To further celebrate Celtic culture and heritage, North America’s largest
Principal Researcher and AnalystRuss Kashian, [email protected] Professor, Department of EconomicsUniversity of Wisconsin-Whitewater800 W. Main StreetWhitewater, WI 53190
ConsultantFarrokh Nourzad, Ph.D.Professor of EconomicsMarquette University
Project LeaderJeremy Peterson
AnalystsJason BaronPatrick FogartyJose Zenteno
MapsTyler Tomaszewski
exploring economic impact
outdoor mass is conducted on the last day of the festival.
Indian Summer began in 1987 at Henry W. Maier Festival Park and is one of Milwaukee’s most popular ethnic festivals, in addition to being one of the
focusThe Fiscal and Economic Research Center (FERC) at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater analyzed the economic impact that the ethnic festivals generate in the region.
Our focus is to determine the number of jobs created, the labor income generated, and total economic output produced by the fairs.
methodsThe FERC deployed a crew to survey festival visitors to gauge their spending habits brought about by the festival. This includes items such as money spent on refreshments, music, shirts, trinkets and food at the festival, and also money spent on gasoline, groceries and hotels outside of the festival grounds.
By inputting this data into the IMPLAN software, the FERC was able to determine the direct, indirect and induced economic effects of the festivals.
largest. In fact, Indian Summer is the largest cultural celebration of its kind in the United States. The event offers a Pow Wow to the American Indian community – a time for dancing, singing, renewing old friendships, and making new friendships.
- Direct effects include sales, labor income, and job creation by visitors directly spending money at the festivals.
- Indirect effects occur when a broader economic sector in the area is affected as a result of spending by the festival attendees.
- Induced effects are derived from local spending on goods and services by people working to satisfy the direct and indirect effects.
Results are published in the charts and maps in the succeeding pages.
Mexican Fiesta
mexican fiesta economic impactIMPACT EFFECT EMPLOYMENT FTE LABOR INCOME OUTPUT
79.6 $1,864,909 $4,625,568
13.6 $691,347 $1,869,868
17.2 $746,759 $2,117,286
110.3 $3,303,017 $8,612,721
Direct Effect
Indirect Effect
Induced Effect
Total Effect
Copyright: ©2013 Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ
1 - 2
3 - 5
6 - 50
1 - 2
3 - 5
6 - 50
Home Locations ofSurveyed Patrons
Milwaukee CountyResidents
Other Patrons
25
50
75
100
Lake PorterWillKendall
Distance fromMexican Fiesta
(Miles)
Ogle
Lee
DeKalbKane
DuPageCook
LakeMcHenryBooneWinnebago
Kenosha
WalworthRock
Racine
Milwaukee
WaukeshaJeffersonDane
Ozaukee
WashingtonDodgeColumbia
Green Lake Fond du LacSheboygan
Marquette
Lake Michigan
Festa Italiana
festa italiana economic impactIMPACT EFFECT EMPLOYMENT FTE LABOR INCOME OUTPUT
88 $2,200,260 $5,459,808
17.3 $871,661 $2,333,676
20.7 $897,913 $2,545,755
125.9 $3,969,834 $10,339,239
Direct Effect
Indirect Effect
Induced Effect
Total Effect
Copyright: ©2013 Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ
Text
1 - 56 - 10
20 - 40
1 - 56 - 10
20
Home Locations ofSurveyed Patrons
Milwaukee CountyResidents
Other Patrons
25
50
75
100Distance fromFesta Italiana
(miles)
Lake Michigan
Lake Porter
Cook
WillKendallLa Salle
Lee
Ogle
DeKalbKane
DuPage
LakeMcHenryBooneWinnebago
Green Rock Walworth
Kenosha
Racine
Milwaukee
Waukesha
Jefferson
Dane
Columbia
Dodge Washington
Ozaukee
Sheboygan
Fon du LacGreen LakeMarquette
Irish Fest irish fest economic impact
IMPACT EFFECT EMPLOYMENT FTE LABOR INCOME OUTPUT
189.5 $4,352,445 $11,221,478
33.2 $1,671,345 $4,496,993
40.5 $1,759,100 $4,987,901
263.0 $7,782,892 $20,706,372
Direct Effect
Indirect Effect
Induced Effect
Total Effect
Copyright: ©2013 Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ
1 - 56 - 10
1 - 56 - 10
11-23
Home Locations ofSurveyed Patrons
Milwaukee CountyResidents
Other Patrons
11-23
Distance fromIrish Fest
(miles)
25
50
75
Rock
Winnebago
Ogle
DeKalb Kane
DuPage
Cook
LakeMcHenryBoone
Walworth
Kenosha
Racine
JeffersonDane
Columbia
Dodge WashingtonOzaukee
Sheboygan
Fon du LacGreen LakeMarquette
Milwaukee
Waukesha
Green Lake Michigan
Indian Summer indian summer economic impact
IMPACT EFFECT EMPLOYMENT FTE LABOR INCOME OUTPUT
57.8 $1,355,330 $3,429,774
10.3 $515,472 $1,381,543
12.6 $546,317 $1,549,094
80.7 $2,417,118 $6,360,411
Direct Effect
Indirect Effect
Induced Effect
Total Effect
Copyright: ©2013 Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ
Home Locations ofSurveyed PatronsMilwaukee County
Residents
Other Patrons
Distance fromIndian Summer
(Miles)
25
50
75
100
Wood Portage Waupaca Outagamie Brown
Kewaunee
Juneau
Adams
Waushara Winnebago
Calumet
Manitowoc
Marquette Green Lake
Fond du Lac Sheboygan
SaukColumbia
Dodge
Washington Ozaukee
Iowa
Dane
Jefferson
Waukesha
Milwaukee
Green Rock Walworth
Racine
Kenosha
StephensonWinnebago
BooneMcHenry
Lake
Carroll Ogle
DeKalbKane
DuPageCook
Kendall Will
Lake Michigan
1 - 2
3 - 5
6 - 10
1 - 2
3 - 5
6 - 10
In 2013, ethnic festivals – Polish Fest, Arab Fest, German Fest, African World Festival, Festa Italiana, Irish Fest, Mexican Fiesta, and Indian Summer – generated a $68,034,275 economic impact.
Ethnic festivals in Milwaukee generate tax revenue, create jobs, spur consumer spending, lead to improved infrastructure and bring economic prosperity to the region.
Top industries affected
Food services and drinking venuesHotels and motelsRetail storesCivic, social and professional organizationsPersonal servicesReal estate establishmentsAmusement parks, arcades and gamblingPrivate hospitalsEmployment servicesBuilding and dwelling servicePassenger transit
economic impact of milwaukee ethnic festivalsIMPACT EFFECT EMPLOYMENT FTE LABOR INCOME OUTPUT
612.1 $14,486,196 $36,517,490
110.1 $5,550,764 $14,920,898
134.9 $5,853,154 $16,595,890
856.6 $25,890,115 $68,034,275
Direct Effect
Indirect Effect
Induced Effect
Total Effect
4.22.2014
Conclusion
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