Milwaukee's Deer District scaled back its World Series Game 5 watch party on Wednesday, shrinking the viewing footprint to The Deer Garden instead of the plaza's big screen because the Bucks were hosting the Houston Rockets at Fiserv Forum that same night. The change came one night after a packed Game 4 crowd put extra strain on the area's public-safety response.
Game 5 was shown exclusively on The Deer Garden's big screen rather than the main plaza screen, according to fox6now.com. The Bucks said the move was made out of an abundance of caution, pointing to “the significant turnout on the plaza and the operational demands on our public safety partners.” The team added that “the turnout on the plaza for Game 4 last night was tremendous,” and viewing for Game 5 was offered exclusively to The Deer Garden and Deer District businesses.
Fans who showed up Wednesday were limited to watching from the big screen in The Deer Garden, a restriction confirmed by CBS 58 ahead of the game. The Milwaukee Brewers faced the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 at Tropicana Field, with first pitch set for 7 p.m., per the same fox6now.com report that detailed the Deer District's scaled-back plans.
A Packed Deer Garden Despite the Smaller Footprint
Even with the plaza screen dark, The Deer Garden still drew a crowd. Brewers fans packed the space Wednesday, with some supporters making the trip from as far as Green Bay to catch the game, according to TMJ4. The station reported the watch party was held at the Deer Garden instead of the plaza specifically because of the Bucks' matchup against the Rockets and the tremendous turnout the night before for Game 4.
Fans hoping for a ticketed seat elsewhere were out of luck fast. A separate Game 5 watch party at American Family Field sold out within minutes of tickets going on sale to the general public at noon, Milwaukee Record reported. WISN also confirmed that the Game 5 watch party had sold out as fans scrambled for a spot to watch the Brewers chase a title.
Lessons From Past Deer District Crowds
This isn't the first time Deer District organizers have tightened up watch-party logistics under pressure. The Bucks previously added metal-detector screening at both ends of the plaza for playoff watch parties, according to WISN, with fans holding game tickets directed to enter near Juneau and Vel R. Phillips and fans without tickets funneled through security near Highland and Vel R. Phillips. Organizers at the time said they wanted the space to stay lively while still being safe.
Those precautions followed real incidents on the plaza. Milwaukee police said people involved in a fight during a Bucks watch party were ejected from the Deer District, and officers responded to a second brawl near 3rd Street and Highland Avenue after a game, which resulted in one citation for disorderly conduct, TMJ4 reported. Police also noted the first arrest at a Deer District watch party in the prior two weeks involved a man cited for disorderly conduct and obstructing. The Bucks told TMJ4 that security, safety and health for fans are always top priorities and that the team works closely with the Milwaukee Police Department.
