SEPTEMBER 2005

Milwaukee River Challenge brings U.S. national crew Sept. 17

CREWS FROM throughout the Midwest will be joined by the U.S. national eight-man crew Sept. 17 for the fifth annual Milwaukee River Challenge.

The popular downtown event, which also showcases the city’s growing downtown RiverWalk, features races for men’s and women’s fours and eights from 11 a.m. until approximately  4 p.m. Recognized as the only two-way regatta in the U.S., the Challenge involves a course that runs from the Historic Third Ward on the south to the Humboldt Avenue bridge on the north.                       

Collegiate teams set to compete include Big Ten teams from perennial power Wisconsin, Iowa and Purdue, as well as club teams from Marquette University and Beloit College.

Pere Marquette Park between W. State St. and W. Kilbourn Ave. is the center of the event, but spectators gather all along the RiverWalk and along downtown Milwaukee’s bridges and skywalk. The “Racer’s Village” in   Pere Marquette Park includes the race announcer’s stand, exhibits, demonstrations and food.

The Milwaukee Rowing Club, the University of Wisconsin-Madison rowing team and the RiverWalk District annually sponsor the Challenge. Again this year, a Downtown Housing Expo will be held in conjunction with the event, with free transportation from Pere Marquette Park to properties in the downtown area.

Teams will be practicing on the Milwaukee River Friday afternoon and Saturday morning before racing begins. 

Surprising Brewers host division rivals

THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS, with a new look that extends from the field to the owner’s box, have been extremely competitive at home and away this season. The Brewers, who are in contention for a wild-card berth in the play-offs, play key series this month against the Chicago Cubs and division-leading St. Louis Cardinals.

Home for the Brewers is Miller Park, just west of the downtown area. The park’s retractable dome allows games to be played even in the unpredictable days of early summer. Tickets may be purchased through www.milwaukeebrewers.com or at the box office.

Home games this month:
Sept. 1 vs. San Diego Padres, 7:05 p.m.
Sept. 2 vs. San Diego, 7:05
Sept. 3 vs. San Diego, 6:05 p.m.
Sept. 4 vs. San Diego, 1:05 p.m.
Sept. 9 vs. Houston Astros, 7:05 p.m.
Sept. 10 vs. Houston, 6:05 p.m.
Sept. 11 vs. Houston, 1:05 p.m.
Sept. 20 vs. Chicago Cubs, 6:35 p.m.
Sept. 21 vs. Chicago, 6:35 p.m.
Sept. 22 vs. Chicago, 1:05 p.m.
Sept. 23 vs. St. Louis, 7:05 p.m.
Sept. 24 vs. St. Louis, 6:05 p.m.
Sept. 25 vs. St. Louis, 1:05 p.m.
Sept. 26 vs. Cincinnati Reds, 6:35 p.m.
Sept. 27 vs. Cincinnati, 6:35 p.m.
Sept. 28 vs. Cincinnati, 6:35 p.m.
Sept. 29 vs. Cincinnati, 1:05 p.m.

MOTOR SPORTS

SOUTHEASTERN Wisconsin has two major tracks – the Milwaukee Mile at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis and Road America in Elkhart Lake north of Milwaukee.

Major events at The Milwaukee Mile were held earlier this month, but the traditional Labor Day demolition derby is set for Sept. 5.  For details, visit www.milwaukeemile.com.

At Road America, the Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival Sept. 16-18 closes out the season. Bugatti sports cars, produced only between 1910 and the 1950s, and Elvas, produced between 1955 and 1968, will be featured at the event sponsored by the Vintage Sports Car Drivers Associations.

PROFESSIONAL SOCCER

MILWAUKEE WAVE UNITED, which normally plays in the professional summer A-League, this year is playing without a league tie because of the length of the season of the parent Milwaukee Wave, champion of the Major Indoor Soccer League.

Wave United, which plays all its home games at Uihlein Soccer Park,  7101 W. Good Hope Rd., plays its final home game of the summer at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 against the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer.