harbor fest 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sturgeon Fest keeps the fun rolling from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Besides releasing a sturgeon, you can also participate in family-friendly games, see live animals at our education stations, try arts and crafts, and learn more about Riveredge Nature Center. Our sister festival, Harbor Fest, also happens at the same site and time. Stroll down Greenfield Avenue to check out all kinds of food trucks, beverages, kid activities, play areas, live music, dance performances, diverse vendors, and hands-on presentations at the STEM Stage inside the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences. This vibrant celebration of Milwaukee’s Harbor District is FREE to the public.
Local music / música local
Live art arte en vivo
Food trucks Comida local
Free and family friendly Gratis y familiar
Come celebrate the inner harbor
Ven a celebrar el puerto interior
Free boat rides
sturgeon release noon – 2:00 pm
When you get to Sturgeon Fest, check in to get your wristband There will be two different check-in lines. If you pre-sponsored online (highly recommended), you’ll be able to check in faster, whereas people waiting to sponsor available fish on the day-of will be in a slower line.
Once you have your wristband, get in line to receive your baby lake sturgeon! All fish must be released by 2:00pm sharp. We appreciate your understanding – these rules are put in place for the health of the fish and to ensure they thrive.
Then the big moment You’ll get your fish in a bucket. Release them into the lake by hand or send them down the fun sturgeon slide. Don’t forget to pick up your certificate at the end–you’ll need this to register your fish and get notified if they are spotted again in the future on annual surveys or scans
Register Here
