MILWAUKEE — The Hoancoming: Milwaukee’s Fresh Coast Party certainly drew a crowd and dazzled spectators with a light show featuring drones Saturday night.

Currently, there are only lights on the West side of the bridge, but in addition to the party, Hoancoming is also an annual fundraiser to raise money for lights on the East side of the bridge. Raised money also goes to general maintenance and community programs.

Boats began to arrive around 8 p.m. in anticipation of the show, and the shore under the hoan was filled with spectators. The show began around 8:30 p.m. and went for about a half hour.

Rado Milwaukee’s mobile app and 88.9FM broadcasted DJ Shawna to accompany the light show.

The drones flew up and over the Hoan from the North and sketched out the words, “Hoancoming” and “Light the Hoan” at the beginning of the show.

Here are some of the cool drone pictures:

Light the Hoan

Light the Hoan

Light the Hoan

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Light the Hoan

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The Portland Trail Blazers made the biggest trade of the current millennium last September when they moved perennial All-Star Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks for Deandre Ayton, Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, and a host of future draft picks and pick swaps. For 11 seasons, Lillard had been the face of the franchise. He was the team’s leading scorer all-time, considered by many the best player to ever wear the uniform. All things being equal, the Blazers probably would have preferred to keep their superstar guard. Lillard’s age and Portland’s lack of success conspired to force the move.

The Blazers haven’t gotten any better in the interim, winning just 21 games last season. It appears that the questions surrounding Lillard haven’t eased entirely either.

In an article with Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel [subscription required], summarized by Adam Wells of Bleacher report, Lillard vows that he’s looking forward to a bright season ahead. The backdrop of the vow is the drop-off in stats during the 2023-24 season, Lillard’s first in Milwaukee. He went from averaging 32.2 points the year prior to just 24.3, as his shooting percentage dropped from 46.3% to 42.4% overall, 37.1% to 35.4% from the three-point arc.

Switching franchises and roles—moving from clear first option to co-star of former league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo—offers a partial explanation for the drop. The specter of age continues to hover, however. Lillard just turned 34 and has now logged a full dozen seasons, exceeding 30,000 regular-season minutes, in the NBA.

As Owczarski reports, Lillard is quick to disparage the effects of Father Time:

I live a clean, good, healthy life, so I can do it. I can do the same (expletive) I did two, three years ago. I can do it right now

The jury is still out, however.

What do you think? One year later, would you say the Blazers got out from under Lillard’s aging curve at the right time, or do you think he has several more years left in him at a high level? Share in the comments section below.

A gloomy Saturday is expected for the Milwaukee area, with possible thunderstorms and heavy rain.

Milwaukee and surrounding suburbs will most likely get hit with heavy rain, with possible thunderstorms, Saturday afternoon to early evening, said Mark Gehring, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Milwaukee.

“We’re in a very moist environment with lots of clouds,” Gehring said. “Most people will end up getting hit and will see at least brief periods of a shower or two and it will come down pretty good for that brief time as well.”

Gehring said the rain and storms are moving in a southeast direction steady enough to not cause any concerns. The temperature is expected to remain in the low to mid-70s.

Swimming conditions at beaches are expected to remain safe as long as there’s no lightning. Gehring said there won’t be any rip currents or high waves, which usually are what create dangerous swimming conditions.