Milwaukee Business Journal: UPAF Ride for the Arts returns in June with expanded Hoan course

The United Performing Arts Fund's annual UPAF Ride for the Arts returns June 4 to Milwaukee's lakefront with an expanded Hoan Loop Course and Henry Maier Festival Park party. This will be the 43rd annual ride.

In 2022, UPAF raised around $450,000 in the UPAF Ride for the Arts. This year's goal is $500,000.

This year's UPAF Ride for the Arts includes a 20-mile loop on Interstate 794 and Lincoln Memorial Drive, spanning from Milwaukee to Cudahy.

The 2023 ride will also include a 1.5-mile route along Lakeshore State Park, which is a more family-friendly option.

“The Hoan Loop Course was a big hit with riders in 2022, so we couldn’t be more excited to stage this expanded one-of-a-kind safe experience where bikes rule the road,” UPAF's chief advancement officer Christine Hojnacki said in a press release. “Riders will enjoy panoramic views of Milwaukee from the Hoan Bridge and along our beautiful lakefront, all in support of local performing arts organizations.”

The Hoan Loop Course will be open from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Following the ride, UPAF will host a finish line party at Henry Maier Festival Park from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. It is the first time the event returns to the festival grounds since 2019. The event will include live stage entertainment from UPAF member groups.

Registration for the 2023 UPAF Ride for the Arts is open at UPAF's Ride for the Arts website. The event will have an early-bird registration price of $45 through March 15.

The UPAF Ride for the Arts began in 1981 and has welcomed over 295,000 riding participants and raised over $11.7 million for UPAF. Annually, 100% of the money from the UPAF Ride for the Arts goes back to support UPAF performing arts members.

The 2023 UPAF Ride for the Arts will again feature presenting sponsor Miller Lite for the 33rd consecutive year. Other sponsors include Johnson Financial Group, Husch Blackwell, West Bend Mutual Insurance and Wheel & Sprocket.