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Photos, tips and
article of the party scene, bands, music and atmosphere from the party
masters at PubClub.com.
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Summerfest The World's Biggest
Music Festival
Photos, Tips and Party
Guide
Big stages and big
bands highlight the annual Summerfest in Milwaukee.
• Summerfest
'08, June 26-July 6. Click Here for report and photos.
By Luau
Larry, Special Correspondent
Music and Milwaukee may not seem likely
to go together – after all, it's hardly the heart of rock 'n roll
– but for 11 days in June and July it takes center stage.
Summerfest in Milwaukee is an annual event on its lakefront. Known
locally as the Big Gig, there are bands day and night on 11 stages,
anchored by the 23,000-seat Marcus Amphitheater. With seemingly endless
live music, crowds enjoying the scene of being in a festive atmosphere
and socializing in beer gardens, it is recognized as The World's Largest
Music Festival. Locals simply call it the "Big Gig."
Summerfest, which has been happening for more than 40 years,
attracts more than one million people each year.
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Summerfest
Party Tips
• Take the shuttles
to the event ($6 R/T). There are 11 park-and-ride lots around
town. Out of town visitors should stay in a downtown hotel; it's
within walking distance of the festival.
• Ticket prices: $15 after 4 on weekends, $8 noon-4 weekdays. Sponsors have daily admission promptions.
• Cash and credit cards accepted on the grounds.
• No backpacks, beach/folding chairs.
• Take sunscreen and a long-sleeve shirt or jacket.
While it's summer, a sudden cool wind can blow in off the lake
at night.
• For more information, lineups and advance ticket sales,
visit the Summerfest
web site.
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The bands are a mix of classic rock, alternate rock, even country.
Pretty much evrything but hip-hop and rap. Hey, play to your audience,
right?
For example, 2006 lineup included Tom Petty; Elvis Costeelo with Allan
Toussant; Macia Ball, REO Speedwagon; The Tragically Hip the Go-Gos;
Kenny Chesney; Alan Jackson; Hank Williams, Jr.; Joan Jett and the Blackhearts;
Styx, Train; Cheap Trick; Pink; Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows. Petty came back in 2008 and was joined by among others, John Mellencamp, Cheap Trick, Steel Pulse, Stone Temple Pilots, 3 Dog Night, Pat Benatar and Blondie.
 And while it's the music that brings in the crowds, it's the open-air
socializing that keeps them coming back year after year. It is by far
the city's largest singles scene. And since Milwaukee is just two hours
from Chicago, an hour from Madison and easily accessable from places
like Indiana and Michigan, the pool of partiers expands far beyond the
host city's limits. Plus, the second week is wrapped around the Fourth
of July, making it a holiday destination for many.
The Milwaukee skyline shines as a backdrop to the Summerfest grounds.
There are more than 45 diverse food and beverage locations at Summerfest. Beers
are still a reasonable $5 for a draft and $6 for a 16-ounce bottle and there is never a wait for a cold one
because there are beer tents everywhere.
PubClub Summerfest Correspondent Luau
Larry's favorite beer tent is the Lienie Lodge, his
favorite stage is the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage and Pavilion,
located between the Leinie Lodge and the Sprecher brewery and catering
to mostly blues/zydeco/rock.
There's also the Sprecker Brewery tent and for cocktail connoisseurs,
there's JoJo's Martini Lounge.
 To party properly, arrive by 6 p.m., have some food and lots
of beers. Then go to the various stages and enjoy the shows. For a great view of the grounds and lakefront, the Skyglider (right) rises above it all for just $3.
Admission is $8 weekdays before 8 p.m., and $15 on weekends and after
8 p.m., though several Summefest sponsors have promtions featuring discounted tickets. These prices, by the way, have hardly changed from year to year, making Summerfest one of the world's most affordable music festivals in addition to being the largest.
Summerfest Photos –
The Scene
Summerfest –
The Bands
Summerfest
Photos – The Crowd
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our Party Events Calendar
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