Wisconsin Archives • Page 12 of 14 • Rose Clearfield

Doors Open Milwaukee Highlight: Tripoli Shrine

Wisconsin / November 9, 2016

During Doors Open Milwaukee 2016 in mid-September, I visited 15 sites and took nearly 1,000 pictures. I shared a sneak peek in my September highlights post as well as a brief narrative of the full two days over on Niume. Now I’m sharing longer posts covering a few of the sites.

My first two longer posts highlighted Calvary Cemetery and Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Today I’m highlighting the Tripoli Shrine. Modeled after the Taj Mahal in India, it’s been an iconic Milwaukee institution since 1928. The Shriners are best known for their silly side, with regular colorful appearances in parades, complete with uniforms, bands, and clowns. They also support 22 specialized pediatric hospitals, which offer burn care and orthopedic services.

There is so much attention to detail in the Tripoli Shrine construction. Right down to the door plates, each element in the building is customized and fitting with the overall design.

Every single tile in the Tripoli Shrine is hand placed. The work is intricate and flawlessly done.

There are quite a few unique artifacts around the building as well.

The Shriners had several tiny cars on the premises for people to sit in and pose for pictures. So much fun.

For more information about the Tripoli Shrine, visit the official Tripoli Shrine website and the official Doors Open Milwaukee website.

Additional Doors Open Milwaukee highlight posts

Calvary Cemetery

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

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Milwaukee Events – November 2016

Wisconsin / November 1, 2016

China Lights extended!

China Lights has been extended for a full week, which means it’ll run in Milwaukee through Sunday, Nov. 6. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the stunning exhibit, which features 38 displays with more 1,000 lighted components. I have more details about the event over here.

Holiday events

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival: Nov. 17, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017. The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 17. It features music, dancing, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa. For just $1, take the 40-minute Jingle Bus ride, which showcases the lights displays as well as iconic downtown landmarks.

Best Christkindlmarket Milwaukee: Nov. 17-20. Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery hosts Milwaukee’s Christkindlmarket. Enjoy food, drink, shopping, and entertainment, including polka bands, keg tapping ceremonies, and stein holding contests. Mass takes place on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 10:00 a.m.

Holiday Folk Fair International: Nov. 18-20. The folk fair features three days of traditional music, dance, and food with a music pavilion, international stage, world cafe, coffee house, interactive exhibits, vendor booths, and much more.

Milwaukee Holiday Parade: Saturday, Nov. 19 at 9:30 a.m. The parade features more than 100 units including floats, marching bands, local celebrities, costumed characters, giant helium balloons, live animals, specialty vehicles, and of course, Santa.

Deck the Streets of Old Milwaukee: Nov. 19-Jan. 29. The Milwaukee Public Museum transforms the Streets of Old Milwaukee into a holiday wonderland with a Victorian-era touch featuring holly, ribbons, wreaths, garlands, bells, and more. The exhibit kicks off on Saturday, November 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with musical performances, holiday programs, and family activities.

Annual Tree Lighting @ Bayshore Town Center: Saturday, November 19 at 6:00 p.m. Watch the tree lighting in the Bayshore Town Square, which may include an appearance from Santa. Afterward, grab a bite to eat or do a little holiday shopping.

Candy Cane Lane: Nov. 25-Dec. 25. There are more than 300 homes that participate in the annual Candy Cane Lane. View decorations in West Allis from 92nd to 96th Street between Montana Avenue and Oklahoma Avenue. The event is free, but donations to the MACC fund are always appreciated.

Nov. 5: Veterans Day Parade
Nov. 5: Family Free Day at the Milwaukee County Zoo
Nov. 5-6: Savor Milwaukee
Nov. 8: Taco Trucks on Every Corner for Election Night
Nov. 12-13: TrainFest

Are you looking for even more things to do in Milwaukee on the cheap?
Check out Free Things To Do In Milwaukee WI.

[Disclaimer: I do not work for the city of Milwaukee. I am not paid to promote any of the events listed on this page. I’m simply a resident of southeast WI who loves Milwaukee and enjoys attending and generating exposure for events in Milwaukee.]

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Packers Vs Vikings Skull Bowl

Wisconsin / October 31, 2016

Happy Halloween!

I took this Packers vs. Vikings photo set last year, but for various reasons, never posted the shots during the fall. Halloween seemed like the perfect excuse to finish and share the set at least. This is Wisconsin so of course, the Packers are winning this Skull Bowl game.

Jimmy Zamzow creates an annual front yard Halloween display on Holy Hill Rd., just west of Highway 164 in Hubertus, WI. It won’t be Packers vs. Vikings this year, but he’s guaranteed to have another fantastic theme. You can read more about Zamzow and his Halloween displays at JS Online.

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Doors Open Milwaukee Highlight: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

Wisconsin / October 21, 2016

During Doors Open Milwaukee 2016 in mid-September, I visited 15 sites and took nearly 1,000 pictures. I shared a sneak peek in my September highlights post as well as a brief narrative of the two full days over on Niume. Now I’m sharing longer posts covering a few of the sites.

My first longer post highlighted Calvary Cemetery. Today I’m highlighting Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. It’s a little-known fact that the church is designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright has roots in both Wisconsin and Illinois. As such, Wright buildings and tours are promoted heavily in both states. But Annunciation isn’t discussed nearly as often as more iconic Wright buildings, such as Taliesin and the Oak Park home and studio. I had been to the church once as a kid but hadn’t been back since. I don’t ever find myself in that area of town so I’d never even driven by it during my time in Milwaukee. As it is a bit out of the way, I had to allow a big block of time for it during Doors Open, but it was well worth it.

Annunciation gave talks on the hour, spending half an hour talking about the church’s history and the changes in the Greek Orthodox church over the past 60 years or so. Then Doors Open attendees had half an hour to ask questions and explore the church on their own before the next tour began. I knew next to nothing about the architecture and construction of Annunciation or the history of the Greek Orthodox church. Needless to say, the talk was fascinating.

The light fixtures are undeniably one of the coolest aspects of Annunciation. I could have taken dozens of pictures of them.

Frank Lloyd Wright incorporates as many functional building elements as possible into the building’s design. The cross is actually one of the church’s heating / air-conditioning vents.

I took this picture right before leaving the church. It’s one of my favorite shots from the entire weekend.

For more information about Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, visit Wikipedia, Wright in Wisconsin, and the official Doors Open Milwaukee website. If you’re interested in touring Annunciation outside of Doors Open, contact the church to set up a group tour.

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Fall Harvest Festival Floral Show at the Domes

Wisconsin / October 18, 2016

The Fall Harvest Festival floral show is taking place at the Mitchell Park Domes through early November 2016. The domes always do a fabulous job putting together their seasonal shows. The current show is no exception.

The Domes reopened the Tropical Dome last month. I have dozens and dozens of pictures of the Tropical Dome, but of course, I couldn’t resist taking a few more.

The waterfall in the Tropical Domes is one of my all-time favorite spots in Milwaukee.

The Fall Harvest Festival show runs through Sunday, November 6. The Mitchell Park Domes are always free on Monday mornings from 9:00 a.m.-noon except major holidays for Milwaukee County residents. Due to the continued limited Domes access, general admission is just $5 until all three domes reopen. Children age 5 and under get in for free.

Did you miss my feature about the Summer on Olympus floral show? Check it out right here.

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