Greenfield Kid Makes Milwaukee Sports Show History

5-year-old Jacob Bartowiak peered at a mounted owl in a 1989 photo from the long-running Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A gallery of archival photos from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show traces the history of the long-running regional tradition, including a 1989 shot of 5-year-old Jacob Bartowiak from Greenfield peering at a mounted owl on display.

Why it matters

The Milwaukee Sports Show has been a beloved regional event for decades, offering Greenfield residents a nostalgic look at the evolution of the show from log-rolling and trout ponds to circus-style animal acts.

The details

The gallery of photos from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show captures the event's history, including a 1989 image of 5-year-old Jacob Bartowiak from Greenfield examining a mounted owl on display.

  • The Milwaukee Sports Show has been running for decades.
  • The 1989 photo of Jacob Bartowiak was taken when he was 5 years old.

The players

Jacob Bartowiak

A 5-year-old boy from Greenfield, Wisconsin who was photographed peering at a mounted owl at the 1989 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show

A long-running regional sports show in Milwaukee that has featured a variety of exhibits and attractions over the decades, from log-rolling and trout ponds to circus-style animal acts.

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The takeaway

The Milwaukee Sports Show has been a beloved tradition in the region for generations, offering Greenfield residents a nostalgic look at the evolution of the event over the decades through archival photos that capture the wonder and excitement of the show.