Indian Summer Festival Another Milwaukee Showcase

Had a great afternoon under blue skies at Indian Summer today on the Lakefront festival grounds.

Ate wild rice soup. Shook the hand of a Korean War Vet. Watched little kids pet a miniature horse born on Easter named "Rabbit." Yelled along with the crowd to help a 78-year old Oneida woman win an annual dance contest on stage. Helped a tourist from Germany pick out a colorful Central America cloth bag. 

Rubbed elbows with Native Americans, African-Americans, Caucasians, Harley devotees, big families, tattooed couples, Powwow dancers, craftspeople, vendors and shoppers - - all having a fine, dare I say, joyous time.

Didn't see Scott Walker - - the guy who famously told an exurban partisan clutch in the upscale, virtually all-white Waukesha County Village of Oconomowoc Lake in the closing days of the 2012 recall election that his win would keep the state from becoming "another Milwaukee."

What he missed today in the Big City on the lake - - and if I didn't see him there, then it's my loss and mistake - - was another fun celebration of Wisconsin cultures and diversity that only Milwaukee can serve up.

Indian Summer closes out the lakefront festival season tomorrow. Go enjoy in Milwaukee what some people cannot appreciate:

This young dancer was getting a costume adjustment

At the Powwow, spectators are often invited to join

A 78-year-old Oneida woman won the dance competition women's 1st prize for the second year running, we were told.

These girls wanted to be introduced at the dance competition as "The Fuzzies." The MC on the left in the blue shirt was a riot, and played a mean harmonica.