One of Milwaukee's oldest festivals brings life to Bay View neighborhood

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Two years after being cancelled for lack of funding, organizers say the South Shore Frolic Parade is stronger than ever -- thousands lined the streets on Saturday, Julth 12th, for what is one of Milwaukee's oldest festivals.

Telling this story might take a while, but the Brewer family doesn't mind. At the corner of Knock and Delaware, they might just have the best seats.

"Yeah, I'm, glad we got it," says Evelyn Brewer, patron.

For Milwaukee County's longest parade, Evelyn Brewer had a feeling this was the right place to be.

"Just a neighborhood vibe. Everybody knows each other and gets along, and just here for a good time," says Brewer.

The parade was actually cancelled two years ago because the Lion's Club couldn't afford it.

"We are just delighted that we are able to have a parade," says parade chair. "This is a lot bigger, this is all done by the power of the people."

A surge in donations since, gave the Frolics new life.

"I said, let's go to the parade," says Brian Haydin.

And an opportunity, for the Haydin family to start a new tradition.

"It's just about having fun in the summer, playing around in water at the waterfront, frolicking around in sands," says Haydin.

Hard to believe, something that went away two years ago, could come back so strong. Or maybe it shows the lengths a community is willing to go, to keep a good thing around, a little while longer.

As many as 20,000 people showed up to see 70 different floats. The estimated cost to hose the parade is about $30,000 dollars. The cost covers city fees and permits.