Summerfest
Summerfest (also known as "The Big Gig") is a yearly music festival held at the 75 acre Henry Maier Festival Park along the lakefront in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The festival runs for 11 days from late June though early July (always over the 4th of July) and attracts almost one million people from all over the United States. Summerfest has held the Guinness World Records title as the "World's Biggest Music Festival" since 1999.
Summerfest was conceived by then-mayor Henry W. Maier, as a result of his visit to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. He envisioned such a festival in Milwaukee, and Summerfest was born in 1968. Held in 35 locations around the downtown area, the first Summerfest was a success. In 1970, a central location was decided upon, where it has been held since.
Summerfest is most famous for its music. Live musical acts are offered on 13 stages throughout the grounds, including the 24,000-seat Marcus Amphitheater. Summerfest features both local and nationally known music talent from a variety of different music genres. All shows are free with an admission ticket, with the exception of headlining acts at the Marcus Amphitheater. Admission tickets run about $15.00, and there are numerous promotions for discounted or free tickets.
Additionally, Summerfest provides the opportunity to sample a wide variety of food from many Milwaukee restaurants. Beer is a favorite of fairgoers. Other Summerfest attractions include carnival rides and games, comedy acts, shopping booths, fireworks (including "The Big Bang" opening day), karaoke, children's activities, and more.
At other times throughout the summer and into autumn, the festival grounds host a variety of different ethnic festivals, some of which include PrideFest, Polish Fest, Festa Italiana, German Fest, African World Festival, Irish Fest, Mexican Fiesta, Indian Summer, Arab World Fest, and also several run/walks for charity events.
Notable acts that have played at Summerfest
- 311
- Alan Jackson
- Alice Cooper
- Alkaline Trio
- Andrew Bird
- Andrew W.K.
- Anthony Hamilton
- Bauhaus
- Blink-182
- Bob Dylan
- Bob Weir & Ratdog
- Bonnie Raitt
- Britney Spears
- Buckwheat Zydeco
- Carlos Santana
- Carrie Underwood
- Cheap Trick
- Cher
- Chevelle
- Chris Brown
- Collective Soul
- Common
- Counting Crows
- Creedence Clearwater Revisited
- Crosby, Stills, & Nash
- Depeche Mode
- Destiny's Child
- Dierks Bentley
- Donna Summer
- Dresden Dolls
- Duran Duran
- Elvin Bishop
- Elvis Costello and the Imposters
- Eric Clapton
- Fleetwood Mac
- Flogging Molly
- Foo Fighters
- Foreigner
- George Carlin
- Goo Goo Dolls
- Guster
- Hank Williams, Jr.
- Hoobastank
- Iron Maiden
- Jack's Mannequin
- Jessica Simpson
- Jewel
- John Denver
- John Mellencamp
- Kenny Chesney
- Los Lonely Boys
- Ludacris
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Mary J. Blige
- Matt Nathanson
- Medeski Martin and Wood
- Metallica
- Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
- My Morning Jacket
- Neil Young
- Ne-Yo
- New Found Glory
- New Order
- Nickelback
- Nine Inch Nails
- Panic! At the Disco
- Paul Oakenfold
- Paul Simon
- Pearl Jam
- Phil Vassar
- PiL
- Prince
- R.E.M.
- Ray Davies of The Kinks
- Reel Big Fish
- REO Speedwagon
- Rico Love
- Ringo Starr
- Run DMC
- Ryan Cabrera
- Sandra Bernhard
- Sly and the Family Stone
- Southside Johnny
- Steely Dan
- Steve Miller Band
- Steve Winwood
- Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Stevie Wonder
- Styx
- Sugar Ray
- The All-American Rejects
- The Allman Brothers Band
- The Anniversary
- The Association
- The Benjamins
- The Bravery
- The Doors
- The Fray
- The Gufs
- The Hush Sound
- The Mahp
- The String Cheese Incident
- The Sugar Cubes
- The Temptations Review
- The Tragically Hip
- Tim McGraw
- Tina Turner
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- Tony Bennett
- Train
- Victor Manuelle
- Violent Femmes
- Wax on Radio
- Weezer
- "Weird Al" Yankovic
- Wilco
- Yellowcard
- The Redwalls