Summerfest 101

For many locals, Summerfest kick-starts summer in Milwaukee.

Well, in that case, summer is here! Summerfest opens at noon today and with it comes an eclectic music lineup, a variety of free activities, and 45 food vendors all in a pleasant setting right on Lake Michigan's shoreline.

Milwaukee's annual music festival, now in its 42nd year, has evolved into a gargantuan event. Organizers expect this year's fest to draw somewhere between 830,000 and 930,000 fans over the course of its 11-day run. This is actually smaller than it was at the beginning of this decade, when attendance topped 1 million.

There are 10 stages on the main Summerfest grounds. The roster of more than 700 musical acts includes the Airborne Toxic Event (June 28), Lupe Fiasco (June 29), Spoon (June 29), Buddy Guy (June 30), Femi Kuti (July 2), the Roots (July 3), the English Beat (July 5) and Elvis Costello (July 5).

Concerts held at the outdoor Marcus Amphitheater require a separate ticket purchase, which you can buy and print instantly, with no extra fees, at Summerfest.com. Marcus concert ticket holders also have access to all of the stages on the main Summerfest grounds. So, get there early, see a free show, and then head into the Marcus for the night's headliner.

Among the marquee acts playing the Marcus this year are Bon Jovi (tonight), KISS (June 27), Stevie Wonder (June 28), Bob Dylan (July 1), No Doubt (July 2) and Kid Rock (July 5).

As you can tell, there's so much to see and do! So much, in fact, that I've compiled a list of new and exciting things to check out for those of you planning to go more than once. I've also added some tips for all of you Summerfest newbies out there.

Summerfest continues until July 5, so you'll have plenty of time to experience the "World's Largest Music Festival" – an official designation that was bestowed upon Summerfest by Guinness World Records – once, twice or even 11 times!

1. Learn how to get in for free by clicking here.
2. Print your Summerfest tickets from home with NO fees. Just click here. 
3. Listen to the Emerging Artists Series every day from 3 to 8 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Connections Stage, and then vote for your favorite band.
4. Take a shuttle from any of the park and ride locations. 
5. Don't miss the Big Bang Fireworks opening night at 9:30 p.m. 
6. Get in for FREE on July 5 from noon until 3 p.m. during We Energies Free Day.
7. People watch – Summerfest brings out EVERYONE.
8. B.Y.O.T.P. (Bring your own toilet paper, of course).
9. Be a VIP on the Captain’s Deck.
10. Score a wristband for free lawn seats at the Marcus Amphitheater.
11. Ride the Skyglider.
12. Sample the local beers from Lakefront and Water Street Breweries.
13. Support local music every day at the Cascio Interstate Music Groove Garage.  
14. Watch a live newscast.
15. If you live less than two miles away, walk to the gates. No, seriously. 
16. Bring ear plugs.
17. Learn how Summerfest has gone green.
18. Party with The Vega Star Monday, June 29 at 5:30 p.m. atthe Cascio Music Garage. 
19. See sports demonstrations from the Milwaukee Bucks, Admirals, Wave and other pro-athletes at the Sentry SportsZone. 
20. Try gator on a stick at Crawdaddy’s.
21. When it's ridiculously crowded, stroll the lake path.
22. Find good parking in greater Downtown by heading over here.
23. Have a martini at Jo Jo's Martini Lounge.
24. Sample everything from Thai beef jerky to shish-ke-bob and sauerbraten sandwiches to tamales at the Ethnic Village.
25. Wear really comfortable shoes that aren't open toe.
26. Text a friend so that everyone can see your message on the Text-2-Screen at the U.S. Cellular Connections Stage.
27. Buy a Summerfest T.
28. Please, leave the really young babies at home. Oh, and the enormous strollers. Thank you.
29. Chuckle at ComedySportz.
30. See your favorite radio DJ broadcast live.
31. Relax in the larger-than-life Legendary Leinenkugel’s Lounger.
32. Be responsible.
33. Tip the street performers.
34. Swing by the MLB Road Show and test your skills in the pitching and batting cages.
35. Ride your Hog and park for FREE.
36. For a sugar high or head freeze eat a giant Hawaiian Shave Ice.
37. Play hooky from work and get in for only $8 before 4 p.m.
38. Enter the Subaru Hole-In-One Contest and tee up three balls for $6 to win great prizes.
39. Watch the water ski show.
40. Dance on a picnic table.
41. Pedal to the grounds, but remember to lock up your bicycle.
42. Chase the kiddies on the jungle gyms and slides at the Children’s PlayZone.
43. Learn about fascinating sea creatures and actually touch them at Discovery Wold's Touch Tank.
44. Gobble up Saz’s mozzarella marinara.
45. Dress in layers. It might be hot during the day, but the lakefront gets quite chilly at night.
46. Wear deodorant – For everybody’s sake!
47. Cool off at the Columbia St. Mary’s Cool Down Lounge.
48. Kick back in a real leather seat found on one of Midwest Airlines Boeing 717s.
49. Get lucky by playing free bingo at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage and Pavilion.
50. Wear a big red smile – you know what I'm talkin' about.

Feel free to share your tips or suggestions below and, perhaps, I'll add them to my list. Let's try to come up with 100 things!

Comments

[SuzieQ]

BYOTP? Really?

How about... wear sunblock.

Ok, that was very mom-ish of me.

How about buy a multi-ticket pack to save money.

That was very mom-ish, too. Oh well.

[Amanda]

Great list! Would it be lame if I printed it out and took it along with me?

[Karen]

That'd make me feel pretty cool, so, no, I wouldn't consider you lame for doing that. ;)