Kalahari Family Weekend: Kids at Heart

Savoring Elkhorn Ribfest: BBQ, Pitmasters, and Summer Vibes

This week on One of a Kind Milwaukee, I’m taking you to Elkhorn Ribfest—one of southeastern Wisconsin’s tastiest summer traditions! Now I finally had the chance to attend this yearly event. From sampling award-winning ribs to chatting with championship pitmasters, this episode is packed with smoky flavors, BBQ tips, and everything you need to know before heading out. Whether you’re a backyard grill master or simply love discovering great local events, you’ll get an inside look at what makes Ribfest such a fun weekend destination. Why This Story Matters Summer festivals are about more than great food—they bring communities together and celebrate the people behind the craft. Meeting the pitmasters and hearing the passion, techniques, and traditions that go into competition BBQ made this experience even more memorable. What We Get Into * My first impressions of Elkhorn Ribfest * Why it’s one of Wisconsin’s must-visit summer festivals * Sampling award-winning ribs from local and international pitmasters * An interview with Mr. Green’s BBQ and their signature Wisconsin-inspired approach * An interview with Aussom Aussie BBQ and how Australian influences create a completely different rib experience * Why you should add Ribfest to your summer bucket list Meet the Featured Pitmasters Mr. Green’s BBQ Representing Wisconsin, Mr. Green’s BBQ shared the secrets behind their award-winning ribs, including their unique 4-1 cooking method, a flavorful dry-rub style, and the use of Wisconsin honey as part of their cooking process. Their commitment to local ingredients and balanced flavors makes them a standout on the competition circuit. Aussom Aussie BBQ Bringing authentic Australian BBQ traditions to Ribfest, Aussom Aussie BBQ takes a different approach by smoking their ribs over fruit woods and incorporating fruit into their signature barbecue sauce. The result is a naturally balanced sweetness and acidity without relying heavily on vinegar, finished with a beautifully crisp, caramelized glaze. Connect with the Pitmasters Be sure to follow Mr. Green’s BBQ [https://www.instagram.com/mr.greens_bbq?igsh=MWQ4amZjZGprNTcyZA==] and Aussom Aussie [https://www.instagram.com/aussomaussie?igsh=dTFiOTBxOGtsMGU5] on social media to see where they’ll be competing next and to support these incredible pitmasters beyond Ribfest. About One of a Kind Milwaukee One of a Kind Milwaukee is your guide to discovering the people, places, events, and experiences that make Milwaukee—and the surrounding communities—so special. From local festivals and hidden gems to food, entertainment, and inspiring stories, there’s always something new to explore. Stay Connected If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow foodies and festival lovers. You can also follow One of a Kind Milwaukee on social media for more local events, interviews, and weekend inspiration.

2026 WI State Fair Food Preview

The countdown to the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair is officially on! In this episode, I’m giving you a preview of this year’s incredible lineup of new food and beverages coming to the fairgrounds. Of course, we’re talking about the famous Sporkies and Drinkies competition entries, but that’s only part of the story. There are dozens of additional new foods and drinks making their debut this year, and I’m sharing some of the ones that have me most excited to grab a bite (or a sip!) when the fair opens. I’m also giving you a look ahead at what’s coming up next on One of a Kind Milwaukee, including an interview with Graze Craze and a special post-event recap from Elkhorn Ribfest. What We Get Into * A preview of the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair’s newest foods and beverages * A breakdown of this year’s Sporkies and Drinkies entries * What’s new beyond the Sporkies and Drinkies competition * My personal must-try food and drink picks * Tips for planning your Wisconsin State Fair foodie adventure * A preview of my upcoming Graze Craze interview * A preview of my upcoming Elkhorn Ribfest recap episode Resources Mentioned The official 2026 Wisconsin State Fair New Foods & Beverages Guide includes every new food and beverage debuting this year, along with descriptions and vendor locations. Official New Foods & Beverages Guide: https://wistatefair.com/fair/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026_New_Foods_List_FINAL_V4.pdf Wisconsin State Fair New Foods page: https://wistatefair.com/fair/new-foods/ Coming Up on One of a Kind Milwaukee * Graze Craze – I’ll be sitting down with the team behind Graze Craze to learn more about their beautiful grazing boards, the story behind their business, and why they’ve become a favorite for entertaining and special occasions. * Elkhorn Ribfest – I’ll be attending the 10th Annual Elkhorn Ribfest, happening July 15–19, 2026, at the Walworth County Fairgrounds in Elkhorn. After the festival, I’ll share my favorite BBQ, event highlights, and whether it’s worth adding to your Wisconsin summer bucket list. About One of a Kind Milwaukee One of a Kind Milwaukee is your guide to discovering the people, places, events, restaurants, and experiences that make Milwaukee—and Wisconsin—one of a kind. From hidden gems and local favorites to seasonal festivals, local businesses, and weekend adventures, each episode is designed to help you experience more of what makes our community so special. Stay Connected Instagram: @1ofakindmke If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s already planning their Wisconsin State Fair food lineup. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode of One of a Kind Milwaukee!

DockHounds Dive Bar: Food, Views, Promotions & More

Thinking about booking the Dive Bar at a DockHounds game? I recently had the chance to experience this unique group space firsthand, and in this episode I’m sharing my honest take on what it’s like—from the view of the field and the game-day atmosphere to the food, drinks, and why it’s such a fun option for groups. I’ll also walk through the different hospitality spaces available around the ballpark, who they’re best suited for, and highlight some of the upcoming promotional nights, themed games, giveaways, and ticket offers that make planning a visit even more exciting. If you’re looking for a unique outing for friends, family, coworkers, or a special celebration, this episode will help you decide if the DockHounds Dive Bar is the right fit. New to the DockHounds? Be sure to check out my earlier interview episode featuring Justin Hunt and Dominic Stearn from the DockHounds organization. In that conversation, we took a deeper dive into: * The DockHounds’ 5th Anniversary season * Theme nights and special promotions * The Wisconsin Dive Bar Takeover concept * Ticket packages and fan experiences * Group outing opportunities * Food and beverage offerings * Community involvement * Behind-the-scenes stories, including the team’s beloved bat dogs and Colt’s retirement Think of this episode as the guest perspective, while the interview offers the inside story directly from the team. Whether you’re a baseball fan, planning a group outing, or simply looking for another one-of-a-kind Wisconsin experience, I hope this episode helps you plan your next visit to the ballpark. ⚾ Thanks for listening to One of a Kind Milwaukee

A Concert Lover’s Thoughts on Concert Etiquette

As someone who attends a lot of concerts throughout the year, I’ve started noticing some changes in concert culture—and I have thoughts. In this episode, I’m sharing my take on concert etiquette, from standing versus sitting and scream-singing every lyric to phone usage, crowd behavior, ear plugs, and navigating venue bag policies. This isn’t about taking the fun out of live music. It’s about making sure everyone gets to enjoy the experience they paid for. Do you agree with my takes? I’d love to hear your biggest concert pet peeves and the etiquette rules you think every concert-goer should know.

Okay Milwaukee… We’re Busy This Weekend

Milwaukee officially said: welcome to summer chaos. ☀️ In this mini episode of One of a Kind Milwaukee, Angela shares her picks for what feels like the unofficial kickoff to Milwaukee’s crazy summer schedule — from beloved lakefront traditions to foodie pop-ups and neighborhood gems. In this episode, we cover: • IKEA Family Kite Festival at Veterans Park — a true lakefront summer classic 🎏 • Thirst Books’ 1-Year Anniversary featuring local authors, women-owned pop-ups, giveaways, and romance-reader heaven 📚 • Dominic the Food Reviewer’s Grilled Cheese Pop-Up at Zócalo (yes, pre-orders are available 🧀) • Rosé Fest at Strange Town for patio vibes, shopping, and a girls-day-worthy outing 🍷 • Cooper Park Paint the Pavement community art event 🎨 • Hoyt Pool’s opening weekend in Wauwatosa 💦 Some events are the big Milwaukee staples, some are smaller local finds, and some are simply things Angela personally thinks deserve a spot on your weekend radar. Whether you’re doing all the things or just picking one fun stop, consider this your weekend inspiration guide. Follow One of a Kind Milwaukee for more local finds, food, events, and hidden gems around Milwaukee and beyond.