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Paddle the Milwaukee River to a floating concert with Tony Holiday aboard the Funktoon, pause for a pub break at The Harp, then finish the night at Twisted Fisherman’s afterparty. A three-hour evening paddle that blends live music, riverfront views, and social kayaking.
Paddle the Milwaukee River to a floating concert with Tony Holiday aboard the Funktoon, pause for a pub break at The Harp, then finish the night at Twisted Fisherman’s afterparty. A three-hour evening paddle that blends live music, riverfront views, and social kayaking.
Book with Funk Enterprises LLC
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Operated by Funk Enterprises LLC · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Evening on the Milwaukee River comes alive with kayaks, brass and boat horns during the MKE River Roundup’s Tony Holiday set. This floating concert launches from Twisted Fisherman on Milwaukee’s riverfront and paddles the Milwaukee and Menomonee Rivers from 5–8pm, stopping at The Harp Irish Pub for a mid-ride break before returning for an afterparty at Twisted Fisherman. The meeting point is the west end of the docks at Twisted Fisherman — check in with Milwaukee Kayak Company, where staff outfit you with a life jacket, paddle and kayak. The route threads urban river walls, old industrial brick, and pockets of riverwalk green, giving paddlers a close-up view of the city’s working waterfront and migratory waterfowl. Key features include the Milwaukee Riverwalk, the confluence of the Menomonee and Milwaukee Rivers, and the sandy launch area at the docks. Depending on season, river currents reveal cobble edges and exposed pilings that tell the story of the city’s milling past. This event is as much about music and community as it is about paddling. The Funktoon boards a floating stage; Tony Holiday’s set turns the river into an open-air venue, then the Jack Reed Group hosts a break at The Harp before the flotilla resumes. After the paddle finishes, Night Fever spins an afterparty back at Twisted Fisherman, so the night continues onshore. Ticket options vary: bring your own kayak for $20, rent a single for $50 or a tandem for $90; larger groups can reserve an 11-passenger Duffy Boat via [email protected]. Practical details matter: the paddle is suitable for beginner to intermediate paddlers, but expect three hours on the water and variable evening light. Wear clothes that can get wet and secure a headlamp for the late return. The organizers work with Joy Engine, Milwaukee Kayak Company, Twisted Fisherman, The Harp Irish Pub, Indeed Brewing and Surfside ice tea to deliver a safe, festive evening that highlights Milwaukee’s river culture. Look for local wildlife like great blue herons and mallards along the banks, and take a minute to notice the layered brick facades and steel bridges that define this urban river corridor. For visitors staying in Milwaukee, the River Roundup offers an efficient, social way to sample the city’s riverfront life. It’s a unique local summer tradition: part outdoor adventure, part live music night, and entirely Milwaukee. Plan to arrive early for check-in to stow belongings — there is limited dockside space and street parking can fill during events. Bring a dry bag, water, and ID; Indeed Brewing and Twisted Fisherman provide post-paddle refreshments. Paddlers should follow guide signals, keep steady spacing to protect wildlife, and avoid shallow shoals at low water. The River Roundup is an urban river celebration friendly crowds.
easy.
3 hours (5–8pm).
Light to moderate paddling stamina; able to sit and paddle for roughly three hours.
Check in with Milwaukee Kayak Company at the west end of the docks near the sandy area at Twisted Fisherman; staff will outfit you with life jacket, paddle and kayak.
Ticket options listed are $20 for launching your own kayak, $50 for a single rental, $90 for a tandem, and Duffy Boat reservations for larger groups via [email protected].
The listing does not specify age limits or accessibility details; contact the organizers or Milwaukee Kayak Company for accommodations and age guidance.
Weather and river conditions can affect safety; organizers will provide guidance and updates—check the event page or contact Joy Engine or Milwaukee Kayak Company for cancellations or changes.
Yes—upon check-in Milwaukee Kayak Company outfits paddlers with life jackets, paddles and kayaks.
Small snacks and sealed bottles are fine; larger coolers aren’t practical on kayaks. Post-paddle refreshments are available from Indeed Brewing and Twisted Fisherman.
The rivers once powered mills and breweries; exposed cobble edges and pilings are remnants of Milwaukee’s industrial river history.
Keep a respectful distance from wildlife and pack out all trash; small groups and steady spacing help minimize bank erosion and disturbance to nesting birds.
Funk Enterprises LLC is a Milwaukee-based event operator that produces the MKE River Roundup, a series of kayaking and live-music evenings on the Milwaukee River. The company runs themed paddle experiences aboard the Funktoon, pairing on-water performances with lively afterparties hosted at nearby venues such as Twisted Fisherman. Bands featured in the program include Garrett Waite Trio, Los Mitoteros, Wire and Nail, Valley Fox, Sugo, Joe Wray, People Brothers Band, The Taxmen, Ivy Ford, Honest Monday Trio, Fightin Bob, and others that appear on weekly lineups. Each trip combines guided paddling with curated live music; participants board the Funktoon, paddle segments of the river, and then join an afterparty for extended performances and community socializing. Runs occur throughout the summer season, with several summaries indicating weekly events and rotating artists that create a varied schedule for returning attendees. Funk Enterprises LLC emphasizes safety and local partnership by operating established routes on the Milwaukee River and coordinating with neighborhood venues. The company’s offerings focus on outdoor recreation, live entertainment, and community connection, appealing to paddlers and music fans seeking a summer evening experience. Reservations and event details are typically provided through listing platforms and promotional materials for each week’s lineup. Funk Enterprises LLC is identifiable by its Funktoon vessel and the MKE River Roundup branding that appears across trip summaries. Public schedules highlight curated lineups, paddling routes, and afterparty locations so guests can plan logistics, group bookings, and accessibility needs before attending summer events with start points and safety briefings provided.
Book with Funk Enterprises LLC