Racine Plans Free Monument Square Watch Parties for Brewers World Series Games

Racine-area baseball fans who would rather avoid Milwaukee traffic and crowds have a closer option for the World Series. The city of Racine and Downtown Racine Corporation are teaming up to turn Monument Square into the city's main outdoor watch party location, and the event is free.

City officials point to a precedent. According to the city, thousands of people turned out for a similar watch party when the Bucks won the national championship. Organizers will set up two 20-foot screens along with audio equipment to carry the games, while local vendors supply the food.

One of those vendors is La Taquiza Guadalajara, whose chef, Alejandro Davalos, worked the Bucks watch party. He said he enjoyed seeing the community gather. "You just see everybody just having a great time," Davalos said.

Davalos plans to bring the restaurant's food truck this weekend, and he is also bringing what he considers a bit of good luck. "I went to my first game this year, and I bought this hat," he said. "Ever since I've been wearing it at work, they haven't lost."

The truck's menu will feature restaurant staples such as tacos, burritos and quesadillas, along with a few gameday specials. Davalos highlighted the birria smashburger and birria egg rolls, which he said are "pretty much what we're known for" right now. The smashburger comes with cilantro aioli made in house from lemon, garlic and salt, plus cilantro, onion and mozzarella. For Davalos, though, the appeal goes beyond the menu. "I think it brings people together," he said.

Amy Valukas of Busias XOXO will also be on hand with baseball-themed sweets. She said joining in on short notice was an easy call. "For us, this last minute push was not even a question," Valukas said.

Valukas and her daughter, Ally Hintz, worked late into Thursday night preparing custom orders and extra items to sell for Friday's game. One offering is a cookie mini-pack that "has a baseball, a bat, and a little field with fans around it." Valukas recalled the team's last World Series run and said she is hoping for wins at Monument Square this time. "I just want the brewers to go all the way," she said.

World Series games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Chairs will be available at Monument Square, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own and to dress for the weather. Additional vendors will include Don Arepas Cafe, TBirds Wings, Noir Pizza and others.