Charcoal Grill Worst Smoke Polluter At SummerFest 2018

The Milwaukee Common Council and the Milwaukee Health Department have yet to regulate the immense smoke pollution created by the Charcoal Grill at Summerfest 2018.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 8, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Sunday, the 11-day run of Summerfest 2018 ended and according to Donald A. Smiley, the President and Chief Executive Officer, it was the largest attendance yet in its history for the largest music festival in the World. What Smiley failed to admit is that it has become one of the worst smoke polluters as well during the 11-day run, which has gotten away with laxed pollution regulations for its food vendors during the festival. 

The Charcoal Grill food vendor located by the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse stage creates the most smoke pollution during the day by cooking greasy meats outdoors with charcoal. It seems, the City of Milwaukee Health Department and the Milwaukee Common Council have for years ignored the heavy smoke pollution that invades nearby areas forcing children, babies, teens and adult inhale the pollution for hours, especially at the Roadhouse stage or at any other location when the wind shifts and changes the direction of the smoke.

The Roadhouse stage on Sunday was engulfed with the Charcoal Grill smoke from noon to at least 7:30 p.m., some might see a photo and say, it's fog from the lake, but in reality it is heavy black smoke from the greasy Charcoal Grill and it becomes a hazard for those suffering from respiratory conditions or asthma.

The health department to date hasn't even tested the conditions to determine what long affect does the smoke have on those forced to inhale it while at Summerfest, especially in the immediate area where the Charcoal Grill is located.

It's about time Summerfest gets rid of the smoke pollution and City officials should begin to regulate such pollution at the Summerfest music festival.

According to Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. (MWF), which sponsors Summerfest, entrance to the festival grounds is at your own risk. MWF is immune from liability for injuries to persons or property on the festival grounds pursuant to Wisconsin Statue 895.52. Would it include injuries caused by pollution created at the festival grounds by a food vendor?