The Bronze Fonz will make his triumphant return to the Riverwalk on March 11 with a new look

Drake Bentley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read
The Bronze Fonz will now have a truly bronze look, which will be revealed for the first time on March 11.
The Bronze Fonz will now have a truly bronze look, which will be revealed for the first time on March 11.

The Bronze Fonz will return to the Riverwalk after more than a month absence.

Visit Milwaukee announced Friday evening that the official unveiling will take place next Friday.

“VISIT Milwaukee’s social media, emails, and phones have been flooded with love for the Bronze Fonz and excitement for his return,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee. “He is a popular stop and photo opp for Milwaukee visitors as well as locals. We wanted to ensure that we are keeping this beloved public work of art in excellent condition.”

The Journal Sentinel also received a number of inquiries about The Bronze Fonz after we asked, "Where is 'The Bronze Fonz' statue?" The sculpture has been a part of Milwaukee's culture since 2008, but really the character "Fonzie," portrayed by Henry Winkler in the TV series "Happy Days," has been synonymous with Milwaukee since the 1970s. A number of residents were interested in knowing when the return would happen.

The Bronze Fonz statue is missing from the Riverwalk, undergoing routine maintenance.
The Bronze Fonz statue is missing from the Riverwalk, undergoing routine maintenance.

Well, the event will take place at 1 p.m. Friday at Fonzie's spot along the Riverwalk off East Wells Street downtown, across the street from the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson will speak at the event, along with Williams-Smith and other leaders in business and government. Beth Sahagian-Allsopp, co-owner of Vanguard Sculpture Services also will speak. Vanguard is where The Bronze Fonz has been the past month.

The Bronze Fonz statue undergoing a full cleaning and bronzing process. The statue will now feature different shades of bronze.
The Bronze Fonz statue undergoing a full cleaning and bronzing process. The statue will now feature different shades of bronze.

Visit Milwaukee announced last month that The Bronze Fonz would get a makeover. He will now be truly bronze throughout, but with varying shades of bronze.

Friday will be the first time the public gets to see the results.

The Bronze Fonz has been getting work done at Vanguard Sculpture Services, his jacket will now be a shade darker than his t-shirt, but he will be truly bronze throughout.
The Bronze Fonz has been getting work done at Vanguard Sculpture Services, his jacket will now be a shade darker than his t-shirt, but he will be truly bronze throughout.

Visit Milwaukee also will announce a winner to its #BronzeFonzChallenge, which was a social media campaign to capture your best Fonzie pose at his spot.

“With so many heavy things happening in our world right now, we hope this event provides some levity and fun,” Williams-Smith said. “This is really an opportunity to hang out on the RiverWalk with one of Milwaukee’s coolest characters.”

Contact Drake Bentley at (414) 391-5647 or DBentley1@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DrakeBentleyMJS.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The Bronze Fonz will return to the Riverwalk in Milwaukee on March 11