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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 2010, June 24-July 4

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.

Summerfest, which has been happening for more than 40 years, attracts more than one million people each year.

The bands are a mix of classic rock, alternate rock, even country. Pretty much evrything but hip-hop and rap.

There are an incredible 700 bands on 11 stages. Summerfest 2010's lineup which to date includes, Eric Clapton with special guest Roger Daltry, Tom Petty with special guest ZZ Top, Rush, Tim McGraw with Lady Antebellum and Love and Theft, Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber with special guest Sean Kingston, Brooks & Dunn with special guests Gary Allan and Kellie Pickler with another three Marcus Amphitheater headliners to be announced by early May.

Additionally, the festival has signed and announced Sheryl Crow, Jeff Beck, The Moody Blues, Thievery Corporation, The Roots, Colbie Caillat, 311, The Scorpions, Kool & The Gang, Danny Gokey, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Bravery, Phil Vassar, Modest Mouse, O.A.R., The Devil Wears Prada, The Wailers, Sound Tribe Sector 9 and The Hold Steady with many more to come.The 2009 lineup includes Bon Jovi, No Doubt, KISS, Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Keith Urbanan and George Strait.

Past bands include Tom Pett,; Elvis Costeelo, REO Speedwagon; The Tragically Hip the Go-Gos; Kenny Chesney; Alan Jackson; Styx, Train; Cheap Trick; Pink; Goo Goo Dolls, John Mellencamp, 3 Dog Night 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.

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.

The Milwaukee skyline shines as a backdrop to the Summerfest grounds.

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

More Summerfest Party Photos