Mexican Fiesta, Milwaukee

In 1973, a street closed on the south side of Milwaukee and changed that neighborhood forever. It wasn't for construction, or even an outbreak of street sharks. The reason traffic shut down was the city's very first (and very successful) Mexican Independence Day celebration. Music, dance, and tradition soon took over every person in attendance. Today, that same spirit lives on as the annual Mexican Fiesta.

Hispanic food and entertainment stretches along the lakefront during this family-friendly event. Traditional mariachi music shares the lineup with more contemporary sounds, though each day's events might also include contests in everything from dance to costumes to eating as many jalapeños as humanly possible—all of which is for a good cause. The Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation hosts the fiesta, and to date they've awarded more than $1,250,000 in academic scholarships to hispanic students in the community.