It’s Milwaukee Day
April 14 has been celebrated across the city for over ten years as Milwaukee Day (414 Day). The holiday was started by co-founders Andy Silverman, Brent Gohde, and Timm Gable and is now owned by Mocha Harris. Under Harris’s leadership, she is bringing the celebration to the home of the Milwaukee Bucks by having 414 Day Festival outside of the Fiserv Forum in the Deer District at 1134 N. Vel R. Phillips in Milwaukee.
Harris and DJ Mando will be hosting the festival.
414 Day Festival is free and happening today, Milwaukee Day, April 14, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. CST. The full-day outdoor festival will feature food, vendors, and live music performances from local artists Munch Lauren, MT Twins, and more. The Proclamation Ceremony will happen right at the start of the event to officially recognize 414 Day.
There will also be a double dutch competition, a cans competition, a banging session (a Milwaukee style of dance that was popular around 2008), a fashion contest, and a session to make “dipped” shirts (an art style that’s usually on plain white tees). Each activity reflects Milwaukee’s culture, aligning with Harris’s goal of deeper community engagement this year.
“We’re really going hard for the city. We need more light here,” said Harris.
According to a press release, this year’s sponsors are Cousins Subs, Summerfest, Near West Side Partners, and Visit Milwaukee. A raffle will be held to give away a Milwaukee Bucks Brook Lopez signed basketball and Megan Thee Stallion Summerfest tickets on June 28, 2025. This is Harris’s first year working with corporate sponsors and having a team to delegate roles to. For more than a year, Harris has been working with her business partner Jordan Kellogg to expand their efforts, like making Milwaukee Day a nonprofit.
“It’s bringing Milwaukee to a great scale…expanding into all parts of the city,” said Kellogg. “[We’re] trying to bring everyone together.”
Raising Funds for Athletes
As a nonprofit, Milwaukee Day will sell merchandise during 414 Day Festival to raise money to support this year’s fundraising theme: athletes. Harris said the funds can be used for training, joining teams, and more.
Harris said that 414 Day Festival is a love letter to Milwaukee and about giving Milwaukee the platform it deserves.
“It’s really, really hard for us to get opportunities…but when we do get those opportunities…they’re very impressed with our work,” said Harris.
4 The Love of Milwaukee
Harris is a born and raised Milwaukeean who moved to Atlanta for college. She moved back to the city but has always advocated for Milwaukee’s culture, no matter where she lived.
Outside of Milwaukee Day, Mocha owns MKExpanded, a company that specializes in talent buying and booking for music opportunities, artist development, and A&R Scouting. She believes in Milwaukee’s talent and wants to see the city continue to push forward.
“I want to tell people it’s possible to be successful in Milwaukee if you stay consistent and be persistent,” said Harris.
Kellogg is from Wisconsin but came to the city to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He quickly became a lover of the city through college, DJing, and discovering the talent within the city.
“There is so much culture and creativity in Milwaukee. There’s so much talent around here,” said Kellogg.
414 Day Festival is just one of the many initiatives Milwaukee Day plans to spearhead.
Nyesha Stone founded Carvd N Stone in 2017 to cover positive news while attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Stone has a B.A. in Journalism. She has raised over $30,000 to award grants and scholarships. She has also been featured in ESSENCE and worked with the American Black Film Festival.
